|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Features
The DIR-505's feature set is surprisingly complete, supporting almost all of the features found in D-Link’s top-of-line routers. Here’s a summary:
Routing
- Static and Dynamic IP, PPPoE, PPTP and L2TP WAN connections
- Enable/disable DNS relay
- DHCP Server, range setting, lease time setting and local domain; Primary/Secondary DNS server settings
- Mac address clone
- Set MTU
- DHCP Client list
- DHCP reservation
- Virtual Server entry for single ports with TCP, UDP or all protocols forwarded. Enable/disable for each entry. Some common applications provided.
- Port triggering – can set individual or range of incoming ports. Allows you to enable or disable TCP and UDP ports on network devices.
- DMZ Host
- UPnP enable/disable
- DDNS support for Dyndns (www.dyndns.org – free or custom),dlinkddns (free)
Security
- Enable/disable SPI
- Enable/disable anti-spoof checking
- MAC address filtering
- Enable/disable Remote Management on WAN (user defined port)
- Enable/disable HTTPS server
- Enable/disable graphical authentication
- Website/domain filter
- Change admin password
- Auto timeout for admin login
Wireless features
- WEP, WPA / WPA2 (PSK / RADIUS) support
- AP, Router, Repeater and Wi-FI hotspot modes
- Auto and manual channel set
- SSID broadcast enable/disable
- Enable/disable wireless
- Schedule wireless access
- Guest network with separate security credentials/modes
- Wireless MAC address filtering (allow or deny based on MAC address)
- Enable/disable Short GI
- Enable/disable IGMP Snooping
- Enable/disable WLAN partition
- Wireless modes: mixed b/g/n (default), n-only; mixed n/g
- Channel width 20MHz/40MHz
- Transmit power adjust: 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%
- Wireless network statistics, packets sent/received, TX/RX packets dropped, collisions, errors, active associated clients (showing rate/signal %)
In Use
I used the DIR-505 over the course of three days while working on this review. I tested it in router mode, AP mode as well as in the Wi-Fi HotSpot mode. Since the router and AP modes are most familiar, I’ll comment briefly on the Wi-Fi HotSpot mode.
Normally, in either the router or AP mode, you would have a wired connection to either a modem, or to your local network. If the only internet connection available is Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi HotSpot is the mode to select.
To test this mode, I unplugged the device from my network and moved it into another room without a wired Ethernet connection. I moved the hardware switch on the top of the unit to select Wi-Fi HotSpot. When the DIR-505 rebooted, I reconnected to it, and ran the wireless setup wizard. (Figure 5) Note that the landing page changed to reflect change of mode switch.
Figure 5: Wireless Connection Setup Wizard for Wi-Fi HotSpot mode
The wizard performs a site survey and presents you with a list of Wi-Fi networks in range. (Figure 6) I selected my home network (Penguin), and when prompted, entered the WPA password.
Figure 6: Select Wi-Fi HotSpot site survey screen
Completing the wizard, I assigned a new name to the DIR-505, and configured a different WPA security key. Figure 7 shows a summary of the Wi-Fi HotSpot configuration.
Figure 7: Wi-Fi HotSpot configuration summary
When the device rebooted, I connected to the newly named wireless network (DlinkHotSpot), walked over to the device and pressed the WPS button. In about 30 seconds, my Windows 7 wireless client found the network and connected to it. Needless to say, I’m a big fan of WPS!
User reviews
Average user rating from: 3 user(s)
NOTE! Please post product reviews from actual experience only.
Questions, review comments and opinions about products not based on actual use will not be published.
Works for me
I travel a lot, and one particular location only has wired ethernet, so I was in the market for a compact wireless router to act as an access point. There are now many such devices on the market, but the DIR-505 stands out in two regards*: 1) the power supply is built-in, eliminating a power cord and a power brick; 2) it is available in-store at my local Frys.
So far I have tested acces point and repeater modes, and both work as advertised. Out-of-the-box, the device rather cleverly acts as a fuly-function WiFi access point - it provides both dhcp and dns services, so you connect to it almost as if you were at a coffee shop [you do need to provide the WPA passphrase provided on the enclosed card.] The configuration wizards (one for each mode) were straightforward to follow. If you deviate from the script, however, you can get off-track with no obvious way to recover. No wonder there are so many reviews panning this device.
The one missing featture is "client mode" - not something I need, but others might want. Just be aware.
*A third way that the DIR-505 stands out is that it is made in "Taiwan", not "China". With all due respect to my many good friends and colleagues in China, most stuff made there is junk, at least compared to stuff made in Taiwan.
Awesome product. Had no problems with it.
I travel a lot and I rely on the hotel wifi for my internet connection. However, the wifi connections in the hotel room only allow one device to be connected at a time.
Using this DIR 505 on the wifi hotspot mode solves this problem.
It is an awesome product.
SUX!
took it back twice - and STILL doesn't work - the support staff couldn't even speak English to help out (waste of 1.5 hours talking to them) - not impressed!
Related Items:
LAN SectionUbuntu One For Windows Reviewed
D-Link DIR-506L SharePort Go Mobile Companion Reviewed
Contest #28 Results
PCTEL Receives Critical Roaming Patent
