Customer Reviews

D-Link DIR-130 NetDefend VPN Firewall8-Port 10/100Mbps Switch

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The DIR-130 was selected due to its support for incoming PPTP VPN tunnels that are compatible with the Microsoft VPN connector included with Windows. The upgrade to firmware version 1.10 has apparently resolved reliability issues reported by another reviewer. The DIR-130 allows me to access my home system securely and consistently. Over several weeks of regular use, it has performed reliably. Configuration is easy using the well-structured menus. The firmware upgrade changed the VPN user account management from the screens shown in the manual and permits many more users to be assigned in groups with individual passwords using different VPN settings (PPTP or L2TP/IPsec).

Performance of unencrypted data over my Bellsouth 3MBps ADSL connection seemed slightly faster than with the prior router, the Netgear WGR614. Due to the VPN encryption, the connection speed is however noticeably slower than non-VPN. Reducing the encryption level to 40 bits improves the speed compared with 128 bits.

There is a firmware bug (v1.10) that only occurs during remote management or managment over a VPN connection. Clicking on the "save" button, executes a script that tries to display the confirmation web page, but the address is invalid, resulting in an error screen, even though the action was successfully performed. Just log in again to resume remote management. This bug in firmware v1.10 has been reported to D-Link, without response. The bug does not occur when accessing the router over the LAN using a non-VPN connection.

Even after reading the poor reviews, I bought two of these because they had the set of features that I needed and I figured that D-Link would have worked the bugs out after a year in service.

I was wrong. Both units had trouble simply storing port forwarding rules! I would fill out the form and hit save, and the new information would be gone. On both units, the very first save seemed to work, but subsequent saves had troubles. On the first unit, the second save worked after several attempts. On the second unit, it never did work.

I decided to update the firmware on one of the units, because several reviewers suggested that was useful. I followed the rules, and the upgrade seemed to complete successfully. After the upgrade, however, my password no longer worked.

So I decided to reset the unit to its default settings, using the reset button on the back. The IP address changed to its default value, as it should have, but the default user name and password do not work. Now I am unable to log into the box, and its default network settings are useless to me..

Unless you intend to use the default settings, or intend to change the settings just once, look elsewhere. The Netgear FVS318 seems to provide similar functionality.

As far as a router/gateway goes, the device performs properly with a good set of features, including logging and diagnostic features uncommon among other low-cost routers. The router's built in VPN server functions well with PPTP/L2TP, although authentication is a little slow if you are used to the speed of authentication on a Windows 2003 server.

The one drawback to this device is, like most low-cost routers, GRE (Protocol 47) does not passthrough (as of Firmware 1.10), preventing PPTP connections to a server on the LAN-side of the router. With the research I performed on the router prior to purchase, I expected it to perform this function. (As a result, I gave the equipment a 4, instead of 5-star rating.)

I needed an 8-port router to add access points in the house. This router worked as advertised and is easy to hook up. However, after installing this router the download speed dropped by 1/3 from my 4 year old 4-port Belkin router. Consequently, I had to pack this router up and ship it back to the seller.

NETWORKING,NETDEFEND VPN FIREWALL 8 (DIR130)
I replaced a DI-808HV with this DIR-130 thinking it was a newer model of the same. It is not. DIR-130 documentation and HELP files do not match menus. HELP files seem to be for DIR-330. HELP files refer to settings which are not available on the DIR-130. In particular, there is not a Virtual Server tab available under Advanced so cannot set up any Virtual Servers. Port Forwarding is available, but does not accomplish what I desire. D-link support site has not responded to my request for help. I will go back to my old router, even though it seems to have some intermittent problems. At least it works for what I need most of the time. DIR-130 does the baics, but so would a much cheaper model. DIR-130 does not even show a real-time list of current DHCP LAN clients. Only those which have requested an IP since the DIR-130 was re-booted, even though it is serving those clients which requested an IP before the last re-boot. Very confusing. Also seems to sometimes not show configuration changes even though they have been saved. Then the changes will show up after a complete power down and re-boot, but not after a soft re-boot. Yes, I'm frustrated! Never had these kind of problems with the old router.

Update: D-Link finally responded to my request for help. They keep sending me instructions for setting up a Virtual Server which apply to the DIR-330, not the DIR-130. I cannot seem to get them to understand that there is no Virtual Server tab available on the DIR-130. I finally sent them a screen shot of my DIR-130 ADVANCED configuration screen which does not have a Virtual Server tab on the left as they say it does. I have not heard back from D-Link, so maybe they finally got the picture (literally). I am anxiously awaiting their reply. Maybe it is news to them that their documentation does not match their product.

Another Update: D-Link responded that I need to call a number and talk to a tech. I did that and after finally getting through the tech told me he could not help me with a DIR-130 and that I need to call another number. I give up! I'll just go back to my old router.

I used this to replace an old D-Link 4 port. No problems whatsoever. simple to set up, works as expected. My download and upload speeds still exceed what my cable company advertises. Count me as a happy customer.

I picked up this piece of kit after my dlink 808vi went down (shame too cuz that was a great router IMHO) - I needed 8 ports and preferred that the router and firewall be in one device since it was one of two 8 port routers fitting that category it won. It has been ok (mostly meh though for the geeks who may be reading) but its features are somewhat vague to setup even for an experienced user. The port forwarding and firewall setup screens are annoying and quirky with stuff like not letting you edit / select / deselect depending on what its got going on at that moment. Would I buy one again? Most definitely no. Could/would I recommend it for somebody - again no. Spend your hard earned cheddar on somethin' better - that's my 2 cents worth.

Matt
A+ Certified Remote Support Technician
Aurora, CO

DLink has very nice products and a full product line. Tempting... I have 3 gone bad in less than 2 years on average. Warranty is only 1 year. The first one died shortly after 1 year of operation. I replaced it and purchased the 3rd unit two months later for our brand new second location. On my 3rd unit I got an extended 2 year warranty but it died 1 month after the extended warranty expired. Actually, both died at about exactly the same: just a little over 2 years - two months apart. Nobody can convince me that this is coincidence.

I moved away from Linksys because their SOHO equipment line forgot about the Small Office and focuses only in the Home Office and Home devices. I have had my prejudices about other brands like Netgear, SMC, Allied Telesyn, Belkin and 3Com but I am reconsidering these brands. DLink and Linksys use nice cute (sexy) names to say the same thing in order to sell, focus on the technical specs and features. Shop smart use common sense.

It won't let you specify a hostname (e.g. from dyndns.com) for VPN endpoints so if the remote site has a dynamic IP address then you have to type it in manually every time it changes. That's a shame.

I really wanted to like this router because I've had good experiences with D-Link products and it has every other feature I wanted. I don't understand the omission because this is a SOHO product and I'll bet most SOHO people don't pay their ISPs extra money every month for a static IP address.

Just like another reviewer said, it dies except mine died in about a year. It worked OK day to day and this ran a small office of about 10 people but about about 2 or 3 times I found it mysteriously dead in the morning as if it suffered a stroke in the middle of the night and only a reset would bring it back. To the unit's credit, it never croaked during business hours but this morning it croaked for the final time and even a 30/30/30 factory restore wouldn't bring it back. I had the unit protected with industrial strength power conditioners so I do not expect that my power blew it out. I also had problems with saving port fowarding rules regardless of what firmware used as other reviewers mentioned. I eventually got them to stick but it was not easy.

The feature set is great for the money but it just isn't built to last but I guess that is what you can expect for the price. Probably a good router for home use but I wouldn't recommend this for business.