In the network equipment market, there are a lot of interesting products in the budget segment both for home use and for installation in the office. Each well-known brand has tried to provide a potential buyer with several modifications of routers that can satisfy all the needs of the user.
However, only the D-Link company was able to surprise the future owner, which allowed itself to combine several completely different devices under one model of the router, which will be discussed in this article. The reader will get acquainted with the routers of the DIR-620 line, learn their characteristics, functionality and algorithms for the correct settings. Owner reviews will allow you to see the advantages and disadvantages of interesting routers.
Marketing move
Many users are sure that a well-known Taiwanese manufacturer simply made a mistake in labeling new products by assigning the same modification to different devices. But with a more thorough investigation, taking into account the abundant media advertising, many experts came to the conclusion that D-Link did this on purpose.
It is enough to imagine a situation where the seller offers only one router to all potential buyers, regardless of needs, - D-Link DIR-620. After all, it is impossible that one device can ensure the fulfillment of all assigned tasks. And if under one labeling there are several completely different devices?
Elite
It is quite difficult to classify the device with the cost of 2,000 rubles as a “business” class, however, this is exactly what the Taiwanese manufacturer is positioning his DIR-620A product. A router is more like a stereo system than network equipment. It is the appearance of the router that attracts many buyers. As for the characteristics of the device, here is the complete order:
- Wi-Fi 802.11n standard with the ability to quickly connect devices (WPS);
- 4-port network switch
- the presence of a USB port with support for all devices, including printers and 3G / 4G modems;
- work with all types of data encryption;
- organization of connections on any channel, including private virtual networks.
In addition to its attractive appearance and excellent characteristics, the DIR-620 device has a lot of interesting functionality, which is not mentioned in the instruction manual. In their reviews, many owners claim that the router supports remote control (Telnet or PuTTY), and also supports the open IEEE 802.1q standard, which is very popular among system administrators of many enterprises.
Lightweight version
But for buyers who are accustomed to using inexpensive network equipment, which does not stand out with its appearance on the background of computer equipment, the manufacturer made a small surprise by launching the DIR-620 router without any marking. In fact, in terms of technical characteristics and functionality, this is the same representative of the business class. Only the appearance underwent a change - the technologists installed the hardware in another plastic case.
However, a detailed study of the product reveals that in addition to the cost reduction (1000 rubles), the router lost several interesting functions that IT specialists might be interested in. It is about working with virtual private networks and about the possibility of remote control. On the other hand, an ordinary user at home does not need such functionality.
A look into the future
But the network equipment D-Link DIR-620S / G1 is aimed at a completely different audience. The manufacturer preferred to present the router as a retro device. The fact is that the router looks more like a radio receiver of the 20th century than a powerful network device with great and interesting functionality.
Network equipment is positioned in business class, since the basic criterion for a router is high-quality coverage of the room with unhindered access to a Wi-Fi network via 802.11n channel. A strange-looking device worth 2,500 rubles perfectly transmits a signal through reinforced concrete walls, which attracts the attention of many buyers, judging by their reviews. As for the technical characteristics, there are no restrictions here - an excellent network tool for the system administrator.
Interesting player
Another representative of the D-Link company with the WiFi marking DIR-620D / F1 deserves the attention of potential buyers. The fact is that this modification with its appearance and functionality is very similar to the 620S router. The difference is only in color and cost - network equipment costing 1000 rubles is more of a budget class.
A little incomprehensible is the policy of a manufacturer who is trying to sell the same product at different price segments. The only negative that buyers were able to detect was the unstable operation of the firmware, it needs to be reinstalled immediately after purchasing the router.
Features of all D-Link routers
When connecting the router for the first time, regardless of the modification, it is recommended to go to the manufacturer’s official website, download the latest software for the device, and install it using a personal computer.
If updating the software of all D-Link routers can improve the security of a network device, then the DIR-620 D firmware can fix the problems with connecting multiple devices via Wi-Fi 802.11n and eliminate freezes when transferring large files.
First steps
For some reason, many users are sure that in the network equipment you only need to configure the wireless connection for comfortable work, leaving the rest of the functionality unchanged. It is such a solution that leads to hacking of private networks by attackers who gain unhindered access to all personal files of users.
Configuring the D-Link DIR-620 router always starts by changing the access password to the device parameters. To do this, go to the "Administration" menu and select "Change access settings." If the user does not plan to remotely control the network device, then this functionality should also be disabled.
Internet access
For any DIR-620 device, configuration begins by downloading the intelligent Assistant software, which prompts the user to configure the network automatically. Yes, such a solution will allow you to quickly determine the parameters necessary for working on the Internet, but this program also has drawbacks - the configuration is performed according to one algorithm on all D-Link devices, which means that it allows an attacker to take control of the router.
On the other hand, if the provider does not provide a direct connection, but uses virtual networks, then the user may have problems that can be solved only by knowing the remote server address, login and password for access.
The most important parameters
Configuring the D-Link DIR-620 router in the Wi-Fi section should not be limited to setting a password for access. A user who is worried about the safety of his data should take care of renaming the access point (set a convenient name in Latin letters, removing the router model from the name). As for encryption and password, it is up to the owner to decide which technologies are preferable for him.
Naturally, WPA2 will be more reliable, but not all household appliances (TV tuner, TV, refrigerator) support this type of encryption - you need to find a compromise. Do not forget about the WPS function, which allows you to connect mobile devices to the router without entering a password.
Own local network
For a DIR-620 router, the setting should not be limited to changing Wi-Fi settings. Many users recommend using the Demilitarized Zone feature in their reviews. This parameter allows you to configure a virtual private network based on a network device with limited access to it by IP or MAC address. In fact, this setting is guaranteed to protect all computers connected to the DMZ network.
Port forwarding in DIR-620 for games, file server, IPTV, static routing, firewall and NAT are a nice bonus not only for the average user, but also for the real system administrator. Naturally, without additional knowledge of network equipment, an uninitiated buyer is unlikely to be able to deal with such settings.
Finally
Network equipment DIR-620 is really able to surprise any customer not only at an affordable price, but also with decent functionality. True, the company’s policy regarding professional device settings for system administration is not entirely clear. But this is better attributed to the merits, because from year to year the level of security of network devices is growing steadily.