Review: DLink's Xtreme N Gigabit DIR-655 Router

Smaller businesses need not feel like the wallflower at the dance, however. Wireless N products for the SOHO crowd are out there and to the surprise of Test Center reviewers, these products are offering advanced setup and management capabilities that compete with enterprise N solutions.

Reviewers took a look at DLink's Xtreme N Gigabit Router. Aesthetically-speaking, it's a good-looking device that would not be an eye-sore in a small office. Lightweight and sleek, the router has three antennas that aid in increasing the range of the signal and features bright, electric blue lights on the LED indicating connectivity.

Of course, when it comes to wireless routers, clients need more than just a pretty face. Other factors have more weight: like ease of use, security, management and bandwidth.

DLink delivered the goods in each area. Setup was hassle-free and uneventful via a GUI wizard provided on the accompanying CD. The Web-based management console is what impressed. The DLink router was setup in a location where there are other wireless routers configured on varying channels. The DLink router, by default, has Auto Channel Scan enabled. Auto Channel Scan chose the channel with the least interference, which was in this case, channel 6.

This feature is included in the "Wireless Network Settings" panel of the management interface. In the same area, an administrator can set channel width, transmission rate and 802.11 mode for environments running a mixture of b, g or n clients.

The utility is filled with additionally tools. Wireless Intelligent Stream Handling (WISH) allows an admin to prioritize traffic. The DIR-655 can also serve as a virtual server, redirecting remote users to local LAN servers. Security includes WPA2 and an active firewall. Filters are available to control accessibility based on client, application, URL, domain, or IP ranges. A Quality of Service engine is included for further network traffic control.

Bandwidth was tested using Ixia's Chariot between an IBM Z61m Thinkpad with a DLink DWA-652 wireless n adapter and a wired HP Proliant ML 110 with an onboard HP NC320i GB network adapter. Downlink testing was run four times in four pairs to stress the bandwidth at both endpoints. Average downlink results were 47.8 Mbps. Uplink testing was setup the same way, average throughput -- 59.6 Mbps. A bidirectional test was done next, using eight pairs; average throughput was 55.4 Mbps.

The bottom line: Targeted more for the home office user, DLink's DIR-655 would also do the job as wireless N router in smaller networking environments not in need of multiple SSIDs or do not have lots of clients sharing bandwidth (an office with fewer than 25 users, perhaps). With an MSRP at about $200.00, resellers can offer the router as a component of a wireless n network for the small business.