Author - Network Admin

How Many Bits are in a MAC Address

The internet is really a brilliant and innovative thing when you think about it. The fact that we can share data with others, access online content from anywhere in the world, and do all of it wirelessly shows us just how amazing technology can be. As one would expect, the internet and the hardware used to get online all have settings and have “addresses” that are used to communicate with each other, much like homes have their own addresses used to identify them. While many people are familiar with IP addresses – or rather, the unique address that identifies online devices including computers, laptops, and tablets – you may or may not be familiar with a MAC address, what it is, how it works, and the specifics of this identifier.

What is a MAC Address?

Just like an IP address identifies your connected device and allows it to communicate with other devices while connected to the internet, the MAC address is similar in that it is used as an identifier. However, there are some very distinct differences.

MAC stands for Media Access Control. It is a set of numbers that identifies network devices. This number is set by the manufacturer and is embedded within the hardware so it cannot be altered. It is also known as a fixed address for this reason. While it was once known as an Ethernet address, other types of hardware have been introduced making this term more obsolete. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are among the technologies that also use MAC addresses.

Your MAC address can be access through your operating system by using commands. Like IP addresses, MAC addresses are all unique. However, they all follow the same set of rules when it comes to format.

How Many Bits Are in a MAC Address?

Traditionally, MAC addresses are made up of 12-digit numbers and are made up of 48 bits, or 8 bytes. However, some types of hardware require a 64-bit MAC address. Certain wireless home automation systems, for example, may require a 64-bit MAC address.

When using an IPv6 network, the settings change a bit more. These networks translate 48-bit networks to 64-bit networks by inserting an FFFE value in the middle. These identifiers are used to differentiate between 48-bit addresses and 64-bit addresses.

What Are Typical Formats for MAC Addresses?

As mentioned, there are a few different formats that are used for MAC addresses, depending upon the network and specific hardware. Traditionally, these addresses are written in the format of MM:MM:MM:SS:SS:SS. However, this can vary. Two additional formats for 48-bit addresses are MM-MM-MM-SS-SS-SS or MMM.MMM.SSS.SSS.

A 48-bit address that is converted to a 64-bit address would be formatted as MM:MM:MM:FF:FE:SS:SS:SS.

What Do These Numbers Mean?

You may be wondering what these numbers mean. The answer is simpler than you may think. The first six digits, which makes up 24 bits in a 48-bit network, is a prefix that is used to identify the manufacturer of the device. It’s not unusual to find that several devices created by the same manufacturer have different prefixes, however. This is because some of the biggest manufacturers utilize multiple prefixes across their lines of products.

The next set of numbers, which makes up the remaining 24 bits, is essentially a serial number. This identifies the particular device. All products from the same manufacturer that have the same prefix (or first set of digits) will have a distinct second set of numbers. Each will be unique. However, if the prefix is different, the product identifier may be the same, even when the products are from the same manufacturer. You may also find that the identifier is the same between two products from different manufacturers. However, as already explained, each manufacturer has its own prefix, so this number will vary. In short, every device will in some way have a completely unique MAC address, whether they were made by the same manufacturer or not.

Will I Ever Need to Change My MAC Address?

In general, you will not find any cause for changing your MAC address. This is simply a number that identifies the network device that you are using, and there shouldn’t be any reason to change it. However, some internet users may encounter issues with their ISPs when they change equipment, such as upgrading their router or obtaining a new residential gateway. The ISP has essentially linked the MAC address of the old equipment to the network. When this equipment changes, so does the MAC address, leaving a customer unable to access the internet.

This is when MAC address cloning comes into play. When his happens, the ISP links the new hardware to the old MAC address so that connectivity is maintained. If the equipment is being sent over directly by the ISP, the cloning process has most likely already been performed so you will experience no interruptions. If, however, you are choosing to update your own equipment, a quick call to your ISP can help clear up any service issues caused by MAC addresses that do not match. This may include providing you with troubleshooting steps to change your router or equipment settings.

However, other than these instances, your MAC address is fixed and will not need to be changed.

Final Thoughts

As you have read, your MAC address is used to identify each piece of networking hardware. With so many devices going online, it’s critical that every user and device is identified, which is why these addresses are so important. Now, when you see your MAC address, you’ll know exactly what it’s for, how many bits makes up each address, the proper format, and what those numbers mean. If you have any questions about MAC addresses or have any helpful tips to offer, leave a comment below!

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Five Ways to Boost the Performance of Your Wi-Fi Network

It is possible to have extremely fast Wi-Fi network and there are a few ways we can do to achieve that. Many Wi-Fi solutions offer lightning-fast connections, but if your router is not set up properly, even opening Google can feel unbearably sluggish. Despite its relative maturity, Wi-Fi is still a temperamental technology. Your browsing speeds could suffer due to some simple oversights. Making your router perform properly is not that difficult and it is possible to make your Wi-Fi much faster.

1. Choose the right frequency and channel: You should know that your Wi-Fi router has operating channels. In fact, you could make a world of difference by simply changing to the proper channel. This is especially true if you are living in a place with a lot of interference, such as microwaves and cordless phones. You could try different channels, until we could find the highest performance. Modern routers could run on different frequencies, such as 2.4 GHz or 5GHz. For places with multiple floors, we should choose 2.4GHz, because it could penetrate through walls and travel farther. 5GHz is much faster and more adequate for smaller homes or rooms, due to its shorter range.

2. Move the router to an ideal location: When positioning our routers, you should find high and centrally located positions, such as on top of the tallest shelf in the middle of the room. The Wi-Fi router usually has an omnidirectional antenna that distributes the signal evenly to all directions. However, you could still tilt the antenna and focus on areas where most computers and mobile devices are often used. If you want the signal to go through the wall, you should position the antenna in a straight angle, so the signal can hit the wall directly at perpendicular angle, so it can travel through the least thickness of the wall. We could easily find that Wi-Fi signals that hit the wall at a sharper angle can have much lower performance. If possible, we may need to avoid thick walls made of concrete or brick. However, windows, glass and waters are actually the biggest obstacles. Even plants and nearby pipes can slow our Wi-Fi connection to a crawl. It means that reflective surfaces may cause our Wi-Fi signal to bounce, instead of passing through.

3. Secure the router: There could be more than a few unauthorized users who access our wireless network and it is a common reason why our Wi-Fi performance is sluggish. In some cases, just by putting in a password, you could notice significant improvement in performance. There are other good reasons why we need to secure our routers and someone could actually steal our critical data, instead of just your Internet bandwidth.

4. Replace the router: It is probably a good idea to replace your router and the one our cable company provides you may not be the most capable model available. New routers are equipped with more advanced features. As an example, new routers can send focused signals to specific devices in the room, instead or broadcasting the signal to all directions. This feature is faster and safer, because snoopers won’t get any kind of directed signal. These routers may also support multiple frequencies, so you could choose the one that works best with your devices.

5. Buy extenders: Extenders are more affordable than routers. Although they can be a bit expensive, it could boost signals in any hard to reach areas of your office or home. Alternatively, you could use old routers as extenders.

What You Need to Know About DHCP Snooping

If you’ve ever spent any amount of time on the internet, you know that you have to be cautious. Clicking on that email tempting you with a free gift card, going to a website that seems a little bit shady, or just opening a social media link from a friend may seem innocent, until suddenly, something badhappens. Your social media profile is hacked, you’ve installed malware on your computer that makes it not function properly, or you’re dealing with annoying pop-ups. The point? There are malicious people out there waiting to take advantage of others. You probably know about antivirus software, but if you’re on a network, you need an extra layer of protection. This is where DHCP snooping comes into play.

What is DHCP?

Before we discuss DHCP snooping, it’s important that you have a complete understanding of DHCP. DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. DHCP is used for networks, both residential and business. DHCP uses a server that is set up with the proper configurations, typically input by an IT professional. The server then assigns, releases and renews IP addresses for computers equipped with DHCP client software. This means that network administrators don’t have to manually assign IP addresses, and devices equipped with the software can leave and re-join the network as needed, gaining an IP assigned from a pool that is set up during configuration.

When is this beneficial? If multiple devices are connected throughout the day, administrators want to ensure that there are enough assignable IP addresses to go around. This can be done in your own home if you have multiple devices that connect to your network, such as your laptop, smartphone, tablet and other devices, or especially in a business setting. This may be for multiple employees working on computers and other devices, or even in settings such as coffee shops or restaurants that offer free Wi-Fi. Without a DHCP set up, there would likely be delays in connections due to a lack of available IP addresses.

What Are the Potential Risks of DHCP?

Like any other connection to the internet, your device is put at risk if you don’t have the proper precautions in place, and DHCP is no exception. Unauthorized servers known as rogue servers can potentially connect to the network, leaving the network vulnerable to man in the middle and DDoS attacks. Your server and devices can then be compromised, data and your devices are put at risk, and you could have a very big problem on your hands if these rogue servers pass through.

Mitigating Risk With DHCP Snooping

Fortunately, there are protections that can be enabled that can prevent these attacks from happening to a home or business network. DHCP snooping is one of the most important protections that should be used with DHCP servers. In a nutshell, DHCP snooping tracks activity and drops traffic that is deemed malicious.

What Exactly Is DHCP Snooping?

You’ve read the condensed version of what DHCP snooping is, so now, it’s time to get more in-depth. DHCP snooping is classified as a layer 2 security technology for DHCP. It is designed to drop messages and traffic that does not fit certain criteria.

DHCP messages that come through an untrusted server will be dropped. An administrator will designate trusted switchports that messages can flow through. If a message attempts to come through a switchport not on this approved list, it will be dropped. If the source MAC and hardware MAC do not match, this will be another case where DHCP will drop any messages.

Finally, if a message releases a lease or declines offers from a different switchport than the original, DHCP snooping will swoop in and drop the messages. It is important to note, however, that certain IT settings may lead to dropped messages and a logged violation. In these cases, the log will need to be investigated and the appropriate IT professional or system administrator will need to make changes to the configuration to avoid such issues. However, once these are resolved, DHCP snooping will continue to monitor against rogue servers that could potentially attack.

DHCP and Tracking

DHCP snooping actually monitors and tracks activity and violations. This is a good thing for two reasons. First of all, you can be aware of any potential attacks to your system. Secondly, you can also determine if there are any errors in the configuration and can use this log if one of your client servers is having difficulties getting (and staying) connected.

After a message is dropped, the log will show a violation marked with “DHCP_SNOOPING.” There are two different messages that you should be aware of when reviewing this information.

The message %DHCP_SNOOPING-5-DHCP_SNOOPING_MATCH_MAC_FAIL does not necessarily indicate that a rogue server was trying to access the network. This should be investigated to find out whether it’s a problem with IP forwarding or client implementation, or if it is a sign of something more malicious.

The message %DHCP_SNOOPING-5-DHCP_SNOOPING_UNTRUSTED_PORT is one that should be taken very seriously, as this could indicate spoofing or attempted access from a rogue server.

Conclusion

With any network, knowing about DHCP snooping is essential to protecting your server. The configurations for DHCP snooping can get quite complicated, and should be handled by an IT professional or experienced network administrator to ensure that all approved devices can get connected, trusted sources can get through, and untrusted and rogue sources are prevented from gaining access.

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What is DHCP Lease Time & What Should I Set it To?

If you’ve ever set up a router at your home or business, one of the settings you may have noticed is DHCP lease time. Unless you’re an experience IT professional, it’s highly likely that you may have bypassed this setting completely, especially if you aren’t sure what it does or what value you should assign to this field.

If multiple devices are going to be connected to your internet service, it’s crucial that you understand what this term means, as well as what settings are best for your personal or business needs.

What Exactly Is DHCP Lease Time?

You may already be familiar with a home lease. A home lease is when a tenant signs a contract and is permitted to live in the home for the time outlined in the contract. Once that time has expired, a different tenant will most likely move into the home. Much like a lease for a house or apartment, a DHCP lease time works in the same way.

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Control Protocol. This server is responsible for “leases” of IP addresses. Every device that is connected to a network must have an IP address, from the laptops in your home to the desktop computers in your office to smartphones, smart TVs, tablets, and other connected devices.

The IP address is similar to a home’s address. In order to receive mail, a home must have an address. In order to send and receive data, a device must have an IP address that identifies it when it is connected to the internet. Networks have two IP addresses – the first and last of a series. The numbers that fall in between are reserved for use for other devices to be used on the network.

While some devices may have a permanent IP address, others will just have temporary IP addresses, which is where the DHCP lease time – also known as client lease time – comes into play. Temporary IP addresses are assigned to other devices that don’t require a set IP – a visitor using a company’s free Wi-Fi, for example. After a set period of time, if the device is not connected to the LAN server, the IP address expires for the device and is reassigned to another device. This set period of time is the DHCP lease time.

Sound complicated? It’s not as complicated as it may seem. Take a coffee shop for example. This coffee shop advertises free Wi-Fi for its patrons. Since the average patron will not be hanging around the coffee shop all day, every day, their device (laptop, tablet, or smartphone, for example) will not require its own permanent IP address. Instead, it will be assigned an IP with a DHCP lease time.

Once the lease time expires, the IP will be assigned to another device – such as the smartphone of a new customer. This way, multiple people can connect to the network without any problems and without all of the IP addresses being taken.

When to Adjust Your DHCP Lease Time

If you run a business or work in an office where multiple devices are in use, you’ll want to consider adjusting your DHCP lease time, particularly if you have employees, customers, or clients who use their devices occasionally. Failure to adjust the lease time will likely result in a shortage of IP addresses. You want to make sure that any IP addresses that are being used just temporarily expire after a set amount of time.

You may even have to set the DHCP lease time on your home network if you have many devices. In this case, a longer lease time may be sufficient for devices that are used fairly frequently but not daily, like your router.

Finding the Optimum DHCP Lease Time for Your Needs

There is no set rule of thumb for the settings for your DHCP lease time, and it may require some experimentation based on your own personal needs (or those of your business) to get the timing just right.

Typically, the DHCP lease time default setting on most servers is 24 hours. However, this may be shorter or longer depending on your own server. Settings can be adjusted from one minute up to a certain number of days.

You’ll want to avoid setting the lease time too low as this can cause interruptions to service. For example, even in a busy doctor’s office, coffee shop, or other business that offers wireless service to its customers and clients, a person may spend much longer than one minute browsing the internet on their phones. Setting the lease time for just a few minutes will result in interruptions and aggravation. If connected device settings have a fairly quick turnaround, the settings may need to be lower than 24 hours.

In your household, if you use devices on a fairly frequent basis and don’t have many additional devices connected, the lease time can be set to several weeks or even months. The lower the number the connected devices, the higher the setting can be. The more devices that are connected, the lower the setting should be.

In an office where users go online on their computers to work, setting a static IP for each workstation is advised. However, for other device usage, keeping several IP addresses open and finding the proper lease time is necessary. Again, this should be based on turnaround times of different devices that are connected, and the number can be adjusted accordingly.

Who Sets the DHCP Lease Time?

This task is frequently performed by the system administrator. The administrator should be made aware of your particular needs to set the lease time accordingly. Of course, it is entirely possible that you may find that some adjustments are needed, or your needs may change down the road. You want to ensure that your settings are sufficient for the number of devices connected and that your server isn’t completely overloaded.

Final Thoughts

Setting the DHCP lease time for your server is critical to performance. Whether you want to keep your employees connected or you want to keep your customers happy by providing wireless, you have to make sure that this setting is adjusted to keep the server open for new connections.

When setting the lease time, it’s important to remember the following:

High turnaround for devices need a shorter lease time. Often, 24 hours is sufficient, but this may need to be adjusted if it’s just not working for you.
When fewer devices will be connected, DHCP lease times can be longer.
Devices that are permanently in use should have their own static IP addresses.
Devices that are used frequently but don’t necessarily require a static IP can have a longer lease time – think days, weeks, or even months.
Default times vary by server. While most are set to 24 hours, this isn’t true for every server.
Never set the lease time so low that it can lead to interruptions and frustration. Are you struggling to find your correct setting? Are you unsure of how to proceed? Leave your comment below to find out more about changing your DHCP lease times.

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D-Link DIR-895 Review

The Outside

For people who want a traditional appearance, the DLink DIR-895 might not be the right router. Admittedly, it looks like it scuttled out of the mind of George Lucas or J.J. Abrams. Either way, the red exterior and eight antennas make the DIR895 look like something from the future. It features sharp lines and makes an imposing appearance. The router almost resembles a futuristic crab.

The Inside

It may look like a crustacean, but users will be far from crabby when they experience the superior Wi-Fi connectivity of the DIR895. The DLink router is build with a fast, powerful 1.4 GHz Dual Core Processor. This processor makes the DIR895 fast with both wired and wireless devices. Smart Connect technology revolutionizes Wi-Fi connections by finding the fastest Wi-Fi speed for every device. Another great feature of the DIR895 is the Advanced AS SmartBeam, which provides individual bursts of bandwidth throughout a location. With SmartBeam, dead spots are eliminated, and everyone who has ever lost signal while streaming or gaming will appreciate consistently available bandwidth.

What Users Gain

The DIR895 offers simultaneous Tri-Band connectivity. For the purposes of media streaming, gaming, and general efficiency, the three bands deliver high volumes of data. One band offers 2.4 Ghz, while the other two promise 5 Ghz each. The 2.4 Ghz band is ideal for Internet surfing, sharing printers on a network, and video streaming with Skype. The 5 GHz bands are tailor-made for streaming media in HD and online gaming, two areas where lag ruins the experience of the user. Users gain flexibility by being able to create a seamless network of multiple devices that function optimally with optimal bandwidth availability.

Features and Updates

The DLink DIR-895’s new interface is easy to use, and although updates can take a long time to download, they are accessible 24/7. The router comes with parental controls, access restrictions, and guest networks. DLink’s features allow users to monitor and control access to the network they create with the DIR-895. Parental controls help keep young users from going too far afield. Access controls and guest networks help limit users on the network and give guests some freedom to join the powerful Wi-Fi of the DIR-895. A free app from DLink is a great addition. Mydlink SharePort lets users stream and share media from tablets and smartphones. Also, the DIR-895 can be managed from tablets and mobile devices, making it easy to keep an eye on the router from any location.

Good for Groups

The DIR-895 is efficient for the home, but it also works for the home office or small business. With simultaneous multi-user MIMO (multiple input/multiple output) technology, DLink’s new router facilitates data transmissions to multiple groups over its Wi-Fi connections. This promises efficiency at playâ€”games, media streaming, online surfingâ€”and at workâ€”file sharing, data transfers.

The Cost

The DIR-895 is new for 2015, having been revealed at the most recent Consumer Electronics Show. With a market debut in the second quarter of the year, the DIR-895 was a big reveal early in the year. DLink prices the router just north of $300.

For the casual user, the price may be a drawback. If a simple router is sufficient to meet a user’s online and streaming needs, they may balk at the cost of DLink’s Ultra Performance line. However, if users are heavily into streaming, gaming, and sharing media across multiple platforms with multiple users, the features and performance of the DIR-895 more than justify the cost of the router.

D-Link DIR-890L Review

	Linksys EA9200	TPLink Archer AC3200	D-Link DIR 890L

WiFi Performance	AC3200 WiFi (600 + 1300 + 1300 Mbps)	AC3200 WiFi (600 + 1300 + 1300 Mbps)	AC3200 WiFi (600 + 1300 + 1300 Mbps)
WiFi Band	2.4GHz & 5GHz & 5GHz	2.4GHz & 5GHz & 5GHz	2.4GHz & 5GHz & 5GHz
Ethernet Ports	4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port	4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port	4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port
USB Ports	1 USB 3.0 port 1 USB 2.0 port	1 USB 3.0 port 1 USB 2.0 port	1 USB 3.0 port 1 USB 2.0 port
Processor	Cortex A9 Dual-Core	Cortex A9 Dual-Core	Cortex A9 Dual-Core
RAM	256 MB	512 MB	512 MB
Flash Memory	128MB	128MB	128 MB
Antennas	3 internal, 3 external	6 external	6 external
MSRP	$299.99	$259.99	$299.99

If you’re looking for a router that’s unobtrusive in your home, the tri-band D-Link DIR-890L/R isn’t it. It’s been described as looking like a space-age spider or a modern-day flying drone, and it’s the largest router by size out there right now. But it’s fast. Actually, it’s incredibly fast. That, coupled with a good interface and excellent customer service, puts this new D-Link router at the forefront despite a few initial problems with the firmware.

The new product from D-Link measures 15.2 by 9.7 by 4.7 inches, so it certainly isn’t small. It comes with six external antennas, four Gigabit LAN ports and one Gigabit Internet port. It also has one USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 port. On the front are status lights for the Internet connection, Wi-Fi, and Internet ports. The antennas are fixed and can’t be removed.

The DIR-890L/R is a tri-band router, which means that it has three access points: one in the 2.4GHz range for older equipment, and two in the 5GHz range. The 2.4GHz band tops out at 600 mbps, while the 5Ghz band tops out at 1,300 mbps. You can either set up the router with three different bands, or let its SmartConnect feature assign bands automatically as needed. It also comes with parental controls and website filtering in case children are using it as well.

Setup for the router is relatively easy: plug in the router to your computer, type in the IP address provided, and use the D-Link setup wizard to configure it. The interface has four buttons: Home, Settings, Features and Management. Scroll over the top of each button and you’ll see drop-down menus. Where this unit really excels is speed â€” we clocked the D-Link’s throughput at 558 mbps in the 5Ghz 802.11ac band, and 310 mbps out to 30 feet. In 5Ghz N mode, it hit 195 mbps at 30 feet.

The D-Link DIR-890L/R is expensive. But the company seems to be trying to reach an audience that wants power but doesn’t want or need to play with router settings too much. Whether that will work for them remains to be seen. If you’re a serious techie who wants to customize all your gear, this isn’t the router for you. But if you’re willing to spend the money and let the equipment do most of the work for you, this router is fast enough and stable enough to warrant purchase. Combined with D-Link’s customer service, the new D-Link DIR-890L/R is an excellent choice, even at $300.

D-Link DIR-885L Review

The D-Link DIR-885L AC3100 is a powerful 802.11ac router. The DIR-885L has 4 external antennae and has beamforming for directional transmission, which decreases interference and increases range, enough that devices will receive strong signal even in a large home. The DIR-885L has a maximum throughput of 2600Mbps on 5GHz and 1000Mbps on 2.4GHz, though note that most devices support a maximum of only 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz bands. With simultaneous transmission, this adds up to a theoretical maximum 3100Mbps. It has the standard a gigabit WAN port for input and four gigabit LAN ports, as well as two USB ports, a USB 2.0 port for connecting a printer to the network, with a USB 3.0 port for connecting storage.

Today, with the proliferation of smartphones, tablets, laptops, and streaming devices such as Chromecast and Apple TV, households have more and more WiFi connected devices. It is not unreasonable to expect a family to have over a dozen WiFi clients connected. With so many connected devices, WiFi congestion can become a real problem, slowing down the internet of everyone. The new D-Link has multiple technologies to combat WiFi congestion. As mentioned, the DIR-885L has beamforming technology. Not only does this improve the range of the router, but it also allows faster WiFi speeds when multiple clients are connected.

Another technology in the DIR-885L to improve performance with multiple connected clients is MU-MIMO, short for Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output, which is designed to handle Wi-Fi bandwidth more efficiently when interfacing with multiple clients than traditional MIMO. MU-MIMO is an improvement over the older MIMO technology, which would treat every connected Wi-Fi clients identically, which can become problematic because some clients have a much greater data transmission capacity. This means that a multi-stream router would use all available streams to connect with any connected device, even if the other device can only utilize one or two streams of data at a time. This in turn means that the other streams are being wasted, because the client cannot use their data rate. With MU-MIMO, different transmissions can be sent on different Wi-Fi streams to multiple devices simultaneously, allowing the router to send data to multiple clients at the maximum speed each client can receive it.

Finally, the DIR-885 has Smart Connect technology, which lets the router decide intelligently what devices go on what WiFi band, rather than you having to manually configure your devices to go on a specific band. Thus, a device which only supports 802.11n or 802.11g and does not support 802.11ac signals will not be sent signals over the 5GHz 802.11ac streams, meaning that while the router is sending data to said device over the 2.4GHz streams, it can simultaneously send data to another device over the 5GHz 802.11ac streams. This also allows for automatic load balancing, improving data rate with multiple connected clients.

D-Link’s ULTRA Performance series routers have possibly the craziest design on any router, with an aggressive angled shape that looks like a stealth fighter, or possibly a beetle. The DIR-885L continues this aesthetic, and is a bright crimson. It has four exterior antennae, and internally contains a dual core Broadcom BCM47094 CPU clocked at 1.4GHz. There is WPS support so you can connect your devices with just the push of a button.

The DIR-885 can be easily set up. There is good smartphone and tablet integration; you can even set up your router from your smartphone or tablet with the Quick Router Setup app. You can also manage your network from a browser or your smartphone or tablet. The router management software allows you to set parental controls, block unwanted devices, monitor internet usage and activity, as well as create a guest network. Most importantly, you can prioritize devices and applications.

The DIR-885 is a good high end router. It has good performance, and will certainly serve you well for many years to come. However, at the price point it’s at of near $300, there are also many other good options for routers worth considering, most notably D-Link’s own DIR-890 and DIR-895, which have improved performance for a minimal increase in price.

D-Link DIR-880L Review

	TPLink Archer C9	D-Link DIR-880L

WiFi Performance	AC1900 WiFi (600 + 1300 Mbps)	AC1900 WiFi (600 + 1300 Mbps)
WiFi Band	2.4GHz & 5GHz	2.4GHz & 5GHz
Ethernet Ports	4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port	4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port
USB Ports	1 USB 3.0 port 1 USB 2.0 port	1 USB 3.0 port 1 USB 2.0 port
Processor	1GHz dual-core	1GHz dual-core
Antennas	Three detachable antennas	Three dual band high-gain antennas
MSRP	$189.99	$179.99

The D-Link DIR-880L is a router that efficiently distributes bandwidth, provides decent levels of speed and assists you in easily monitoring the network through wireless technology.

Features

While the router doesn’t score too high in terms of performance, it certainly provides decent speed for its price range. Within the same category, Asus and Linksys routers cost more for the same features.

The Dlink DIR-880L is a dual-band model that provides frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz for the wireless network. Additionally, you can easily setup a guest network on any of the frequencies.

It has one USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 port, making it easy to connect scanners, printers and storage devices. A power button, WAN port and four-port gigabit Ethernet switch is available at the rear of the device. The firmware of the router is pretty basic but it does provide Quality of Service feature that delegates more resources for your preferred activities, such as online gaming, voice over internet protocol (VoIP) calls and video streaming that normally lag due to slower data transfer rates.

Parental controls can be assigned on the D-Link DIR-880L, but the features are limited. As a parent, you can block websites and choose when to grant Internet access to your kids.

Design

The D-Link DIR-880L is a sleek device that comes with three over-sized antennas that can easily be removed. You can even upgrade the antennas if you wish. Moreover, there are slots for LED lights located at the top that indicate the power, Internet connectivity, 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz frequencies and two USB ports. It can be placed on a flat surface. Another option is to mount it on the wall.

The D-Link DIR-880L also supports SharePort, which displays music, videos, photos and other files in a neatly organized way, making it easy to manage, edit and delete different files. On the downside, you will only be able to view one file at a time.

The router does a good job at distributing the available resources uniformly throughout the network, but the speeds are just about average. You can stream videos, play games, browse the Internet and perform other functions with ease. But if you are looking for very fast download speeds, this will not be your pick.

Setup

Setup is largely simplified on this device. To complete basic configuration, you can use a Web browser or D-Link’s QRS mobile application that is available for mobiles running on Android or iOS operating systems. Apart from basic router setup, the application allows you to manage different networks connected to the router.

The router comes with a pre-configured password for its wireless networks. However, it is essential to note that the router’s admin interface does not come with a password. When you first access it, you will be prompted to create one.

Conclusion

All in all, the D-Link DIR-880L is a budget router with average speeds and handy online management tools. SharePort technology and mobile app support make it extremely easy to manage networks, create a guest network and complete router setup. It is a good choice for anyone looking for a simple Internet connection at light to moderate speed. Also, it is one of the few routers in the market that offers two USB ports making it easy to connect the router to a printer and a storage device simultaneously. While it lacks several advanced features, the D-Link DIR-880L is a good buy for its price.

D-Link AC1200 Review

	NETGEAR R6100	D-Link AC1200	Linksys EA6300

WiFi Performance	AC1200 WiFi (300 + 867 Mbps)	AC1200 WiFi (300 + 867 Mbps)	AC1200 WiFi (300 + 867 Mbps)
WiFi Band	2.4GHz & 5GHz	2.4GHz & 5GHz	2.4GHz & 5GHz
Ethernet Ports	4 Fast Ethernet LAN port 1 Fast Ethernet WAN port	4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port	4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port
USB Ports	1 USB 2.0 port	1 USB 2.0 port	1 USB 3.0 port
Security	WPA/WPA2 – PSK and WEP	Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2) WPS	WEP WPA Personal WPA Enterprise WPA2 Personal WPA2 Enterprise WPA2/WPA Mixed Personal WPA2/WPA Mixed Enterprise
Antennas	Internal	Internal Smart Antennas	Five Galtronics bent-metal internal antennas: three for the 5 GHz and two for the 2.4 GHz
Firewall Features	Network Address Translation (NAT) Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) DOS Prevention	Network Address Translation (NAT) Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI)	Advanced Network Protection (WPA/WPA2 encryption and SPI firewall)
MSRP	$99.99	$99.99	$99.99

The D-Link AC1200 is able to deliver simultaneous, dual bands with faster speeds and less interference, resulting in faster connections and fewer lags. Able to work with existing as well as future Wi-Fi devices, the AC1200 is up to 10 times faster than traditional Ethernet.

With its four Gigabit Ethernet ports and one Gigabit WAN port, the AC1200 is always able to keep things running smoothly while delivering a fast stream. Internal smart antennas, along with WPA/WPA2 Protected Access, make it difficult to overcome the security features provided with the AC1200. The Advanced Firewall features such as Network Address Translation and Stateful Packet Inspection add an important extra layer of security to its already impressive lineup.

Because users today expect to be able to access their files and other information no matter where they are, the AC1200 is designed to work well with mobile apps. SharePort Mobile, mydlink Lite and QRS Mobile are some of the features the AC1200 is equipped with to allow users to access information through their tablets, smartphones or other mobile devices. It also has a number of advanced features including VPN pass through, Guest Zone support, UPnP support, Wi-Fi WMM Quality of Service, SharePort Web Access, Parental Controls and IPv6.

Costing less than $100, the AC1200 is considered a great value by most tech experts. Its peak performance is considered very strong, and it is considered to be one of the easiest ways users can access their files remotely. In fact, the mydlink Lite and SharePort mobile features have been referred to as being excellent for Android networking utilities.

The AC1200 works flawlessly even when a large number of devices are connected. It also works very well with Google Chromecast when they want to stream Netflix programming to various devices. Users reported no buffering with Netflix or other streaming video, making the AC1200 a very good choice for those people wanting to use it for these purposes. A good value for the money, an appealing design and ability to support a wide variety of devices and tasks makes the AC1200 one of the best routers on the market today.

D-Link Smartbeam AC1750 Review

	D-Link AC1750	TP-LINK Archer C7

WiFi Performance	AC1750 WiFi (450 + 1300 Mbps)	AC1750 WiFi (450 + 1300 Mbps)
WiFi Band	2.4GHz & 5GHz	2.4GHz & 5GHz
Ethernet Ports	4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port	4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port
USB Ports	1 USB 2.0 port	2 USB 2.0 ports
Security	WPA, WPA2, WPS	64/128-bit WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
Antennas	Internal	Three 5GHz 5dBi detachable antennas (RP-SMA) Three 2.4GHz internal antennas
Firewall Features	Network Address Translation (NAT) Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI)	DoS, SPI Firewall IP Address Filter MAC Address Filter Domain Filter IP and MAC Address Binding
MSRP	$149.99	$99.99

The D-Link AC1750 uses the 802.11AC wireless networking standard which offer significant benefits to the users, the most obvious of which is an increase in the potential top connection speed. WiFi devices that use one of the older standards can work properly with the 1750, because the router is fully backwards compatible. That means that whether it is a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop, the device should be able to connect to the router without any problems.

In terms of the signal strength, the fact that the 1750 uses the AC standard means it has a much better signal than older routers. Of course, this is affected by the distance between the connecting device and the router, and anything that blocks line of sight will degrade the signal quality. There is a shortage of devices for consumers that can actually use the AC standard for wireless connections, so having backwards compatibility with older standards is an important feature.

The 1750 comes with my D-Link Cloud Management, which enables the user to access and modify their router’s settings from any device – even if they are away from home. Most users will not need to take advantage of this, but it is useful to have in case it ever becomes necessary. Furthermore, the management software makes it easy to set up the router using a smartphone or mobile device just by downloading the app. The initial setup for the router only takes a few minutes, and it has an easy interface, so it does not require much computer literacy to set it up.

The dual band technology is good for letting higher-priority or more demanding applications use the 5GHz band, while lower-priority traffic can use the more common 2.4GHz band. Because 2.4GHz is more commonly used in networking, living near other people who have wireless networks leads to more crowding in the 2.4GHz channel. That can lead to occasional disconnections due to interference. The 5GHz channel gets around that by using a less crowded band in the wireless spectrum.

In conclusion, for a household that has a mid-level or above package from their internet provider, the 1750 is a good choice. It is easy to set up and will be compatible with devices that use the AC wireless standard when they begin to hit the market.