D-Link Wireless N+300 Mbps Extreme-N Gigabit Router (DIR-655)

by D-Link

• Delivers up to 14x faster speeds* and 6x farther range* than 802.11g means greater coverage for your entire home or office
• Ideal for streaming HD video or streaming multiple applications simultaneously
• Intelligent QoS technology prioritizes both wired and wireless Internet traffic to enable enhanced gaming and phone calling (VoIP) experience
• Gigabit Ports for Incredible Wired Network Speeds
• Dual active firewall protection (SPI & NAT) helps block malicious attacks on networks from the Internet.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.6 x 7.6 x 1.2 inches ; 11.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000LIFB7S
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: DIR-655
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2,460 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #230 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #15 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Routers
  • #51 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Networking Products
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 22, 2003

Product Description

Model: N300

From the Manufacturer

The D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit Router (DIR-655) is a draft 2.0 802.11n compliant device that delivers up to 14x faster speeds* and 6x farther range* than 802.11g while staying backward compatible with 802.11g devices. Connect the Xtreme N Gigabit Router to a cable or DSL modem and provide high-speed Internet access to multiple computers, game consoles, and media players. Create a secure wireless network to share photos, files, music, videos, printers, and network storage.

 

Powered by Xtreme N technology and equipped with three external antennas, this router provides superior wireless coverage for larger homes and offices, or for users running bandwidth-intensive applications. The DIR-655 also includes a 4-port 10/100/1000 Gigabit switch that connects Gigabit wired devices for enjoying lag-free network gaming and faster file transfers.

With wireless prioritization technology and our award-winning intelligent QoS engine, jitter-free Internet phone calls (VoIP), high-definition video streaming and Web gaming are achievable on your wired and wireless networks. Support for WEP, WPA, and WPA2 security standards ensure that you will be able to use the best possible encryption regardless of your other wireless devices. To prevent possible attacks from the Internet, the DIR-655 uses dual active firewalls (SPI & NAT) to help protect your valuable data. Below is a list of DIR-655 features.

Get 14x faster and 6x farther range than 802.11g with the D-Link Xtreme N Wi-Fi router (see larger image).

 

See larger image.

Key Features

• Wireless N connectivity for superior wireless performance, clarity, and coverage

  

• Single-band Wireless N connectivity

  

• Intelligent QoS technology prioritizes both wired and wireless Internet traffic to enable enhanced gaming and phone calling (VoIP) experience

  

• Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) for secure, simple 1-button setup

  

• Capable of streaming audio and video to compatible UPnP-enabled devices

  

• Dual active firewall protection (SPI & NAT) helps block malicious attacks on networks from the Internet



• 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports for ultra-fast wired connectivity

  

• Ideal for streaming HD video or streaming multiple applications simultaneously
• Includes the latest wireless security (WEP, WPA & WPA2) features that help prevent unauthorized access
• Virtually no wireless dead spots
• Advanced parental controls
• Supports Windows Connect Now (WCN) for easy wireless setup
• Automatic firmware update notification
• E-mail notification for triggered events
• Integrated wireless security wizard
• Removable antennas for flexible installation options
• Wall mountable to save desk space

Why Intelligent QoS Is Better

With some routers, all wired and wireless traffic, including VoIP, Video Streaming, Online Gaming, and Web browsing are mixed together into a single data stream. By handling data this way, applications like video streaming could pause or delay. With D-Link's Intelligent QoS Technology, wired and wireless traffic is analyzed and separated into multiple data streams. These streams are then categorized by sensitivity to delay, so applications like VoIP, Video Streaming, and Online Gaming are given priority over Web browsing. This enables multiple applications to stream smoothly to your TV or PC.

Advanced Network Security

The Xtreme N Gigabit Router supports the latest wireless security features to help prevent unauthorized access, be it from over a wireless network or from the Internet. Support for WPA and WPA2 standards ensure that you will be able to use the best possible encryption regardless of your client devices. In addition, this Xtreme N router utilizes Dual Active Firewalls (SPI and NAT) to prevent potential attacks from across the Internet. Also, the DIR-655 uses advanced firewall features. The web-based user interface displays a number of advanced network management features including:

• Content Filtering--Easily applied content filtering based on MAC Address, URL, and/or Domain Name.
• Filter Scheduling--These filters can be scheduled to be active on certain days or for a duration of hours or minutes.
• Secure Multiple/Concurrent Sessions--The DIR-655 can pass through VPN sessions. It supports multiple and concurrent IPSec and PPTP sessions, so users behind the DIR-655 can securely access corporate networks.

Delivering best-in-class performance, network security, and coverage, the Xtreme N Gigabit Router (DIR-655) is the ideal centerpiece for your wireless network in the home or office.

See larger image.

SharePort

With SharePort technology you can connect a USB printer or storage device to your router and allow users to access them from anywhere on the network. Conveniently turn your existing USB printers and storage devices into network devices for everyone to share.

SECURESPOT 2.0

SECURESPOT 2.0 (optional) is total network security for multiple computers in your home. With the unique Web-based console you can monitor, install, and control how your network is protected from a single location.

SECURESPOT Features:

• Firewall protection
• Parental controls
• Parental reporting and alerts
• Identity protection
• Pop-up blocker
• Virus/spyware protection--powered by McAfee
• Spam control
• Access control
• Remote management console

Get Ready for the Future: IPV6 Equipped With the growing number of Internet-enabled applications requiring IP addresses, the supply of IP addresses under the current Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) system has already been exhausted. The IPv6 protocol solves this network addressing exhaustion by creating more IP addresses, but migration from IPv4 to IPv6 is not necessarily automatic. No worries--this D-Link product is IPv6 Certified and ready for the future.

Specifications

• Standards: IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u
• Interface Type: 4 Gigabit LAN Ports, 1 Gigabit WAN Port, Push Button (for Wi-Fi Protected Setup), 1 USB Port (for SharePort & Windows Connect Now)
• Antenna Type: 3 External Antennas
• Security: WPA & WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access)
• Advanced Firewall Features: Network Address Translation (NAT), Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), VPN Pass-through / Multi-sessions PPTP / L2TP / IPSec
• Device Management: Internet Explorer v6 or Later; Mozilla Firefox v1.5 or Later; or other Java-enabled Browsers
• Certifications: FCC Class B, CE, Wi-Fi/WPS
• Dimensions: 4.6 x 7.6 x 1.2 inches (WxDxH)
• Warranty: 1 Year Limited
• Recommended System Requirements: For optimal wireless performance, use with the D-Link Xtreme N Adapters (DWA-552, DWA-556, DWA-643, or DWA-652)
• Minimum System Requirements: Computer with Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP SP2 or Mac OS X (v10.4); Internet Explorer v6 or Mozilla Firefox v1.5; CD-ROM Drive; Network Interface Card; and for Internet access a Cable or DSL Modem and Subscription with an Internet Service Provider (ISP)

What's in the Box

D-Link DIR-655, 3 detachable antennas, CAT5 Ethernet cable, power adapter, CD-ROM with installation wizard and operating instructions

	N 150	N 300	N+ 300	N+ 300 Dual Band
	D-Link DIR-601	D-Link DIR-615	D-Link DIR-655	D-Link DIR-825
Share the Internet throughout your home network
Easy file sharing within your home network
Better range and speed over Wireless G
Backwards compatible with Wireless G
Safe network connection with Wi-Fi encryption & Dual Active firewall
Push button Wi-Fi protected setup (WPS)
Intelligent antenna technology for better Wi-Fi coverage
Enhanced router performance for a more reliable network
QoS engine prioritizes video and gaming traffic
Designed for more coverage & performance throughout your home
Use 5 GHz band for streaming HD content with less interference

 

* Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11g and draft 802.11n specifications. Actual data throughput will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, buildings materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate. Environmental factors will adversely affect wireless signal range. Wireless range and speed rates are D-Link RELATIVE performance measurements based on the wireless range and speed rates of a standard Wireless G product from D-Link. Maximum throughput based on D-Link draft 802.11n devices.

** Requires SharePort Client Utility installation on the PC. SharePort upgrade is available for the hardware versions A2, A3, A4.

Product Description

The D-Link Extreme-N Gigabit Router (DIR-655) is a draft 2.0 802.11n compliant device that delivers up to 14x faster speeds and 6x farther range than 802.11g while staying backward compatible with 802.11g devices. Connect the Extreme-N Gigabit Router to a cable or DSL modem and provide high-speed Internet access to multiple computers, game consoles, and media players. Create a secure wireless network to share photos, files, music, videos, printers, and network storage.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

838 of 908 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Hotter than the sidewalk in Phoenix in July October 8, 2007

By JMK

Style Name:N300

First off, the really tough thing about wireless routers is that your performance can vary dramatically from someone elses. Whether its your hardware, your software, spyware, configuration of your house, your ISP, what type of cordless phone you use, or a myriad of other things, your experience may be entirely different from your best friend's. So, this isn't so much a review of the router as it is a review of my experience with it.

The Good

This router has all of the bells and whistles with the exception of dual band broadcasting. QoS, WISH, VPN, Port Forwarding, all levels of security, etc. It has Gigabit wired ports. You cannot get anything more elsewhere without doubling the price. It is all packaged within an attractive set up that provides hope that this will be your last router for quite some time. Set up is easy and straight forward. And, most importantly, you literally cannot get a faster router when within 30 feet.

The Bad
I really wanted to keep this router but I couldn't. My main problem was heat. After a few hours of use (just being on at all), this router was almost too hot to touch. I actually exchanged it figuring it must be a bad router but the new one was the same way. And, more importantly, when it got hot, I got intermittent lag via my wire machine on my internet traffic. Games that played flawlessly on my old Buffalo router started lagging; video started stuttering; downloads started pausing. Diagnosed it with my ISP as being on my side of their modem. When my old router was plugged in, all problems went away. D-Link tried to help me but there was a language barrier and no matter what we did with QoS and WISH, it didn't go away. I had to return the router.

The Ugly
FYI: Blue lights are pretty but REALLY bright. Seriously, you could read by them.

Like I said, I really wanted to keep it but I had to replace it instead. Your experience may vary so I would encourage you to try it because it is a very feature-rich router. Just keep your old one handy just in case.

P.S. Owned it for three weeks before returning it.

505 of 545 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Wireless Router I Have Ever Owned...By FAR February 14, 2007

By Neil Gandhi VINE™ VOICE

Style Name:N300

Im sitting on this thing right now. Man oh man...im getting a "very good" signal where my connection used to be dropping...

I used to have a few problems with WiFi. The first problem was obviously the range...as I said a few moments ago, the DIR-655 fixed that...I mean, even though it claims 6x range, but I was going to be happy with just a 25% improvement...I seriously think that this router increased my range 50-75%!

I used to always be frustrated with the lack of settings in many routers. Some would have QoS (Quality of Service...something that can prioritize important internet activity like Voice Over IP...internet phone) but it didnt really work. Some would be lacking in semi-advanced routing features...others would barely have any non-novice features at all...This one has plenty of options for the advanced user to have a lot of fun screwing with settings. The most beautiful thing about it though, is that there is a wizard in the interface so that even the most novice of users can set up a great network with strong security. It also has context sensitive online help...what that is, is when you are trying to adjust settings and you dont know what something means, there is a little help button right there that you can click to get an explanation right then and there! Its kinda like the Yin-Yang of routers...

I want to mention that I have been looking at draft-N routers for a few weeks now and have been reading the reviews. The reason that I am writing this review is that it was so hard for me to find a good review on this router. Cnet doesnt even have an official review (as of 2/13/07) but it does have very positive user comments. From my homework though, (user reviews, and more importantly official reviews from Cnet, engadget, etc) every Draft-N wireless router has some kind of problem. Some dont work well in environments with more than a couple neighboring networks, some dont have good throughput, and some dont have better range. Again, I didn't want to buy this one because I couldn't find any solid review on it. After going through a couple of different Draft-N routers, Let me help you out. This is the one.

BTW...im not running an "N" wireless adapter...this thing even increases the range of "B" and "G" signals. GREAT JOB D-LINK!

194 of 208 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast Enough for HD-DVD Playback October 12, 2007

By Robert Salita

Style Name:N300|Amazon Verified Purchase

Very satisfied. Smaller than expected. Fast enough to play HD-DVDs wirelessly to my notebook (Dell Inspiron E1505, 802.11BGN, 945GM, Core Duo (2) 2GHz, Vista Premium, Arcsoft Digital Theater, D-Link DNS-323 NAS). Great speed and coverage. Also handles HDTV perfectly via HDHomeRun device.

Don't forget to upgrade firmware.

Update 11-Nov-2007: This router may be my biggest gadget surprise this year. It continues to perform better than expected, completely solving all past wireless issues and handling all tasks such as streaming HD-DVD.

Update 7-Apr-2011: Another reviewer reports that the device's adapter is no longer dual voltage. References to voltage have been removed? Interested in a versatile travel router? I recommend TRENDnet 300Mbps Wireless-N Travel Router Kit TEW-654TR (Black). It's wireless, remarkably small, 100-240 volts, has an Ethernet port.