| D-Link DI-514 Wireless Cable/DSL Router, 4-Port Switch, 802.11b, 11Mbps |
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Model: DI-514
Brand: D-Link
Manufacturer: D-Link
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 85
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b
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| Features: |
Share your Internet connection with built-in 4-Port switch
Fully compatible with 802.11b networks
Operating range of up to 328 feet indoors, up to 1,312 feet outdoors
Advanced firewall and parental control
Easy Installation with Setup Wizard |
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| Description: |
| D-Link, the industry leader in wireless networking, continues to offer breakthroughs in wireless connectivity. With the new D-LinkAir DI-514 Wireless Router, the latest member of the D-LinkAir family of competitively-priced wireless networking products, D-Link once again sets the new price/performance standard.The DI-514 combines the proven stability of 802.11b wireless technology and D-Link's own robust firewall security features. The DI-514 is ideal for those creating their first wireless network, as well as for more advanced users looking for additional management settings and policy-based content filtering. Filters can be set based on MAC address, IP address, URL and/or Domain Name.A simple yet intelligent, web-based setup wizard makes the DI-514 easy for any user to quickly and securely connect computers to share a high-speed Internet connection, files, resources, games or just to communicate. An integrated 4-port switch allows direct connection of up to four computers. Several wireless clients can also securely connect to the network using 64 or 128-bit WEP encryption.Additional advanced features include pass-through of multiple concurrent IPSec and PPTP VPN sessions for telecommuters or for anyone who needs to transmit sensitive information more securely.The D-LinkAir DI-514 is the ideal networking solution for small business, workgroups, home offices, and schools. |
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| User Reviews (85 total): |
Page 1 2 3 4 5 of Total 5 Pages
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D-Link has gone downhill. Get another brand, September 4, 2004
By stupidusername (Somerset, NJ USA)
I got this wireless router after I had accidentally fried my previous 2-antennae D-Link router when I mixed up my cable modem and router ac adapters.
I wish I never burned out the old router. After a year, this router has been the bane of my existence. Dropped signals became the norm. Firmware updates fixed nothing. The signal drops and comes back randomly, if your lucky. Most of the time, you have to unplug the adapter to reset it, then pray for no interruptions. We run bot Macs and PCs at home, and the dropped signals happens to both computing platforms.
D-Link seems to be turning into a high-and-mighty company that has an "it's not our problem" attitude. In fact, the major University where I work is getting rid of all it's D-Link wireless routers because D-Link refuses to fix a Firmware problem that is causing the University's wireless networks to become unreliable.
I gave this product 2 stars instead of 1 on the sole basis that it has a lot of good customization features for a home router, if you manage to have a stable wireless connection or go wired. A downside is that it has only one antennae. 2-antennae routers allow "wireless diversity", which combines the wireless signals hitting both antennae, giving you one strong signal. It's not a major factor, but a nice plus to have.
Save yourself the aggravation, get another brand like Linksys. Their wireless routers may not have all the techie bells and whistles that the D-Link may have (like Dynamic DNS account updating, etc.), but they have all the important wireless and wired security features you need without frequent dropped signals.
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Timewaster, August 27, 2004
By Daniel J. Tomchay Jr.
The only reason I gave this 1 star is because I can't give it 0 stars. I had this for over a year, and it was terrible. I was always having to reset it, and it would constantly crash in the middle of transferring files. Then, it would just stop working. I called tech support and their answer was to unplug it for five minutes!!! what is that?
I have since bought a Linksys. It not only worked right the first time, it has yet to crash, and it is faster. This D-Link is just a piece of junk.
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very unreliable, August 26, 2004
By Buffy and Alias fan
When my computer was idle but connected, the router would disconnect for a few seconds and then reconnect about once an hour. When web-surfing, sometimes it would disconnect/reconnect several times within one minute!!! I got really annoyed at it and returned it. I'm going with Linksys instead, which I've had better experience with.
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OK for limited Internet use, August 24, 2004
By PdxUSA
This router is a low cost solution for someone who doesn't do a lot of heavy Internet use ie. email and a little surfing.
I upgraded the firmware to latest version but the router still occasionaly loses the wireless connection (sucks if you play online games). Tried to enable port 80 forward to setup a small personal website which then caused the router to lockup and I had to reset factory defaults (still haven't go it to work correctly). The router's firmware likes to crash occasionaly when you change settings. If I try to transfer files between computers using wireless it causes the router to occasionaly power cycle.
It's cheap and OK if you only need limited use but any sustained use I wouldn't recommend it. I bought this since it was cheap and looking at many posts on the Internet this router along with other DLINK problems have many issues ... I only used linksys before and probably will never by another DLINK product, anyway you get what you pay for.
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So far so good..., August 22, 2004
By Scott Ruthfield (Seattle, WA United States)
Purchased this a few weeks ago and just set it up. The instructions in the box are basically useless - compared to the Netgear, for example, you better know what you're doing. But I basically do and didn't have any real trouble with initial setup: MAC address filtering didn't work right the first time and I had to do a hard reboot, but otherwise ok.
Also, a bright spot for customer service. Two of my laptops worked fine out-of-the-box but one could connect but not send or receive packets; I called tech support, and while they slowly read to me off of some manual, they asked enough questions to talk me through configuration steps I've never had to touch before and that worked perfectly - fixed that laptop and kept the others running. Kudos on that, and so far everything's working great!
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completely unpredictable behavior, August 7, 2004
By L (Chicago, il)
this is by far the worst wireless broadband router i've ever used. it shuts any session that's been open more than a couple of minutes down, meaning i have to log back into any ssh connection i'm on. it has very low wireless range compared to similar products by linksys. it randomly drops the connection with my ISP and freezes, most of the time needing to be rebooted. this thing has just been a pain and i can't wait to get rid of it.
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the worst piece of junk i've ever purchased, July 26, 2004
By Electronics buff
DO NOT buy this router. I've installed this in my home and the range is literally 15 feet. Anything beyond 15 feet and the signal comes in and out. It's so bad that I've had this warrantee replaced. Problem is that the replacement is just as bad as the original.
An extra long cable for $20 is a better buy than this router.
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Don't try using this for serious online gaming, July 8, 2004
By Jason C Murray (Acworth, GA United States)
I bought this router because the Linksys version B would not work with my version of AOL (9.0 optimized). This one worked just fine. One problem though, when playing games that transfer a lot of data, such as Planetside or City of Heroes, I lose connection every now and then. Other online MMORPG's work fine 99% of the time (have only been dropped from them about 3 times). So, if you are thinking of purchasing this, or any wireless router, for heavy gaming make sure you get a G model and not a B.
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First time was chore, but now works great, July 5, 2004
By majikwah (Denver, CO United States)
(4 stars if you read the instructions) I had some issues installing the router to the modem and getting my wiress connection in the other room to read the wireless signal, but that wasn't the fault of the router, the software or the installation process. It was my fault for jumping ahead of the game. If you are running a cable modem, make sure you have reset your DHCP by un plugging your modem first and repopulate the DHCP IP upon the modem reboot.
From there the process works great for what I am using it for. My main "surfing" computer is hard-wired in to the router and I am at about 2500 kps. The wireless access point is sold and the computer in the other room with much less internet use is connected all the time able to surf, retrieve mail and download files quickly.
I am running a secured WEP connection and followed all the installation suggestions in the manual the website to keep my Access Point secure.
The price is great when you include the rebate . Just remember the promises of works out the box only apply if your read all the installation instructions.
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Good Buy, July 1, 2004
By unknown
I got this router (...) last winter to provide wireless/wired access in my dorm room for my many visitors and studymates. It was fairly simple to set up a MAC address filter and mount the hub to the side of my desk with double-sided tape. Occasionally, I have to leave it unplugged for a few minutes if it stops projecting wirelessly, but otherwise, it provides wireless and/or wired access 24/7. This is a good machine for someone who is interested in simple setup, fair range, and sufficient speed.
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Enabling Encryption makes the wireless connection useless, June 27, 2004
By newifi (Houston, TX)
This works fine with wired and no encryption modes. If you want your data to be safer then this router may not be the best bet.Once I enable the WEP encryption, my wireless connection keeps disconnecting for every few minutes ( some times 2 minutes, some times 10). I've upgraded the f/w to 1.02 ( which supposedly fixes connectivity with my laptops Centrino Mobile)
but still the same issue. Made few calls to the support and they tried changing some parameters and obviously for no use :). D-link support web page says, enabling WEP causes wireless connection speeds reduce by 10-25%. May be its the same problem with all the wireless routers. Hope d-link fixes atleast the connectivity issues.
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Utter lack of quality, June 23, 2004
By unknown
Bought this item based on low price... first unit was defective out of the box -- returned. Second worked at first, reception was poor. Eventually the unit's reception somehow so much that I'd have to sit right next to it in order to get any wireless connection at all. Response times were then an issue with pages taking from 1-5 minutes to begin loading. Latest firmware installed to no avail.Finally purchased a Netgear 802.11g router (even though my laptop only has 802.11b built in), reception is excellent, response times are quick. D-Link has always had quality issues, and hopefully that will be my last experience with them.
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Good but Slow, June 20, 2004
By Programmer (Albuquerque, NM United States)
I have computers connecting both wirelessly and over CAT5 with this router. Overall, as a router, it has preformed adaquetly. The wired D-Link 604 it replaced never had to be powercycled over 4 months, whilst this 514 has required the treatment twice in 5 months. The 514 has a particulary curious trait that took a call to tech support to iron out. If you run a server, and set up the router to do port forwarding or DMZ to that computer, and then try to open your public IP address from inside your network, the request will be terminated at the router. It doesn't go out to the ISP and back in, the router tries to respond to the request and won't pass the request off to anything else.The wireless abilities of this router are OK. From my expierence, the router is better off a fair distance from the computers. The optimal distance seems to be about 20' - closer or further, the signal strength fades away. The web administration program offers you fine control over the settings. It supports 64 and 128 bit WEP in both hex and ASCII modes. You also have the ability to disable the wireless portion of the router while leaving the wired portion active. Port forwarding, outside of the quirk above, is easy to get working. I've only had to call tech support once, and it was an overseas tech I spoke with. Hold time was short, but getting the reason for the router's behavior took a while. If you're looking for something comparable in speed to wired ethernet, this is not it. I had a media server running inside my network. MPEGs encoded from my TV Tuner couldn't stream in real time, whereas on wired ethernet, there's bandwidth available simultaneously. The 11 Mbits this offers should be enough, but barely, so its hard to know whether the router is not preforming or if there's another factor involved. If you'll be doing file transfers, spend the money to get a Wireless G router instead. But for anything short of file transfers, this should offer you all you need, and the flexibility of not needing the run CAT5 is worth quite a lot.
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too many drops, June 14, 2004
By William Pham (Bedford, TX United States)
i often play online games, and my router has a consistancy of dropping me from time to time. It'll drop connection and reconnect within seconds, but is very annoying and inconvience for a user as myself. this router is okay for seldom use of the internet.
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Excellent Customer Service, May 25, 2004
By Sai (EDISON, NJ United States)
I got this router + wireless card around a month ago. I did not have any problem. Customer service is very good.
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Very Good Product, with good support., May 20, 2004
By Steven (Richmond, VA)
I have been using this wireless router for over a year and I have had no problems with it. I also have a D-link card in my pc and I get 22MB transfers instead of 10MB or 11MB like most 802.11b wireless networks. You can't beat this router for the price.Currently I have my desktop, laptop, and xbox live (all wireless) running through this wireless router and it all works flawlessly. I'm also getting the same speeds I used to get with my hard-line connections.
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Serious wireless security hole, May 13, 2004
By spiel496 (Oakland, CA United States)
The router works great for me, but I have an important warning: Do NOT disable the wireless feature. I discovered that checking the 'disable' button in the wireless setup page actually leaves the wireless fully operational BUT WITH NO ENCRYPTION. It broadcasts an SSID of 'GeorgeAP22' -- apparently some leftover test mode.So, set up the wireless encryption, and leave it enabled, even if you have no current need for it. Otherwise, your network is there for everyone to see. Tech support told me it's a known problem that will be fixed in a firmware upgrade. After two months, still nothing on their website. I have firmware version 2.00.
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Do not upgrade the firmware to 1.02, May 13, 2004
By Hongqiang Wang (Lincoln, NE United States)
This product used to work great. A week ago I bought a new IBM laptop, which uses centron CPU. And I found that there was a newer firmware version for the router and then I upgraded it. After that, numerious problems arised. My MSN messenger kept disconnecting once it logged into, and the IE always got stunk while I tried to surf the internet. Sometime it made the IE frozen. Initially, I thought it was ISP's problem or the router configuration's fault. I tried many times to power off the cable modem and modified the configuration of the router and then everything was fine just for a couple of minutes. After that, the wireless connection kept dropping. Even after I restored the factory configrations, the same thing occurred. Finally, I tried to restore the firmware back to version 1.0, then everything is Okay now. Very disappointed in the new firmware. Why put something unreliable in the web? My point is that users do not upgrade your firmware if you have not any problems.
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Low wireless data rate and poor tech suppport, May 10, 2004
By David R. Krueger (Huntsville, AL United States)
The first thing I noticed about this router was that my internet download speed was about 2700 Kbps when connected directly to the router but dropped to 1200 Kbps when operating wireless. That's with link quality of 100 and only one other computer on the network with no applications running on either computer (aside from the one browser window required for the test). Both computers use DLink DWL-520 Wireless network cards. To solve the problem I updated the firmware to 1.02. That didn't improve the data rates, but it did make the router's HTML-based menu screens load so slowly that the browser usually timed out. Following industry standards, DLink apparently mans their first echelon phones with technical illiterates who while capable of following a scripted check list, haven't a clue what's causing your problem or how their sequence of steps might might solve it. For example, to solve the slow menu problem they had me reset the defaults on my browser even though I had no trouble bringing up any other web page I tried. And it made no impact on them that the router menus wouldn't come up any quicker with Netscape. So, after numerous calls, multiple case IDs, and never talking to the same person twice, I decided it was best to cut my losses and give up before they reconfigured my computer to the point where it wouldn't work at all. If you surf the web a lot or do internet gaming, stay clear of these products. Stick with a reputable name and save yourself the aggravation and wasted hours trying to make cheap junk like this work. The money you save isn't worth the headaches.
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Dropped packets, May 6, 2004
By Don Branson (Ballwin, MO USA)
This router seems to have a big problem with dropped packets. I put sniffers on both sides, and found that hosts on both sides would do "a lot" of TCP re-transmits through the hub. Fairly regulary, re-transmits would fail, and it would backout-retry up to 132 seconds before finally getting the data through. As you can imagine, this has a major impact on performance.I've tried every variety of option, especially the ones on the "performance" tab, to no avail. I've tried re-positioning the hub and the host on the wireless side. (...)I'll look other other brands of wireless hubs for my next purchase.
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