One Mean, Screaming Dual-Band

D-Link introduces its latest dual-band router, the Xtreme N Duo Media Router, known as DIR-855. The DIR-855 left a lasting impression on reviewers with its performance.

This is a dual-band N router; both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands can be used simultaneously.

The router is filled to the brim with features and, as far as performance goes, it flies. It's a router designed for the home, but we would venture to state that it would suit any SOHO or small business just fine.

The DIR-855 is optimized for high-definition video streaming. Indeed, some performance benchmarks prove that this is one fast router. Doing throughput testing using Ixia's IxChariot, we received a rate of 20 Mbps at the 2.4GHz band and an impressive 37 Mbps at the 5GHz band. The router was stationed about 20 feet away from the testing area.

Consider the throughput rates of the DIR-855, which is really a consumer router, as compared to the rates we received a year ago during testing of enterprise wireless N access points. Wireless N was still in its undrafted, infancy stage and the rates we saw from enterprise-class access points were not that far above those of the throughput rates we got from the D-Link DIR-855. Meru Networks' AP320 scored an average rate of 44 Mbps during the test, while Cisco's Aironet AP gave a range of inconsistent results; depending on the client's wireless adapter, we got rates that varied from as low as 11 Mbps to as high as 88 Mbps.

Aesthetically, the DIR-855 is not as exciting in its design as it is in its performance. It's somewhat bulky, which is in direct contrast to the current trend of device streamlining and downsizing. It has three antennae—a good thing because it adds to farther, more efficient coverage especially with the N standard. There is also an LCD from which one could quickly pull up information on the device, such as device status and security. It's really only useful if the router is situated at arm's reach, otherwise there is no information from the display that can't as easily be gathered from the management consoles. D-Link was smart enough to not allow configuration changes to be made from the LCD panel; and there's no need to worry about disabling WPA because of an inadvertent jostle of the device.

The really neat thing about the DIR-855 is the dual-band capability. At the 2.4GHz band, a user can do low-overhead tasks like read e-mail, and at the higher band of 5GHz, simultaneously stream video. As with other D-Link routers we have seen in the Test Center, the DIR-855 is really simple to get up and running and configuration was almost instantaneous.

The management interface is similar in look and navigation as other D-Link routers, but it is more beefed up with features. The Quality of Service Engine allows for the prioritization of Internet traffic. This feature includes a setting that can be enabled to auto-detect online game, voice and video streaming traffic. Or, a user can define their custom QoS engine rules. It's fairly straightforward—simply name the rule, set the priority of the message flow (1 being highest priority and 255 being lowest), select the protocol (TCP, UDP, etc.) and then specify the port and IP address ranges. It's a great way to tweak Internet traffic, especially for voice chat.

There is also some in-the-box access control and Web filtering. These are features that are usually provided outside the router with a third-party security product or firewall. Access Control in the console enables users to block all or some Web access to log Web access by IP or MAC address. A schedule can even be applied to the Access Control policy. With the Web filter, you can block specific sites or domains. Advanced settings also include the ability to set up a Guest Zone, a separate network zone for guest clients. Guests can be restricted to which band they can access.

The dual-band features plus the QoS Engine create many useful scenarios for the DIR-855 to be used. For example, you could have a wireless connection between the router and D-Link's Wireless Media Center Extender to stream media over the 5-GHz band throughout your network. Or you could have the router connected to D-Link's Xtreme N Duo Wireless Bridge and have wireless connectivity for a DVR or game consoles. You could also connect a NAS and stream music and video to network clients.

The router lists for $329. Although it's a bit pricey for a home router, its advanced feature set and dual-band capabilities—not to mention its performance—make this product worth the price.

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