Logging In To Your D-Link Router

Nearly all changes you can make to your router, are made from the router management page, and this is no different for a D-Link router. If you want to change the name and password of your network, change the security settings, or check the status of the router, you need to get into the router's interface. For someone who would not consider themselves "techy," this can be intimidating, but it is simple to do. And all D-Link routers have a standard step-by-step process to do it.

Who Are D-Link?

D-Link is a Taiwanese networking equipment manufacturer. The company started in 1986 under the name of Datex Systems Inc before changing its name in 1994 to D-Link, which marked its launch as the first significant networking company on the Taiwanese stock exchange. In 2007, D-Link held 21% of the world's market share as a small to medium business, making them the leading networking company at the time. Multiple awards for D-Link products have followed.

D-Link has built up a large variety of products over the 30 years they have been trading. Their commercial line of products includes network switches, network controlled security cameras, firewalls, routers designed for businesses, and more. Their domestic line has the same variety, with routers, security cameras, smart home accessories, network switches, and other networking related devices.

Unfortunately, despite being a highly decorated company, D-Links road to success has not been without some bumps.In 2010 it was reported that some D-Link routers had vulnerabilities with the HNAP or home network administration protocol. Then, in 2015, it was published by a third-party, that the firmware used by some of D-Links routers was open to DNS hijacking when the remote management option in the router settings was enabled. Finally, in 2017, the Federal Trade Commission opened a case against D-Link under the allegation that they had not taken the necessary steps to secure their routers. However, the case got dropped in July of 2019, and D-Link was not considered liable for the allegations. D-Link agreed to implement security enhancements in their software, just in case.

Comparing D-Link Routers

The current range of domestic routers offered by D-Linkis the EXO series. The EXO series has smart meshWi-Fi routers and MU-MIMO Wi-Fi routers. Routers also have an AC classification, which indicates the total Mbps the router can put out. The AC stands for the type of Wi-Fi the router provides, with AC referring to 802.11acWi-Fi. However, be careful not to be misled by a higher number, as the total Mbps gets divided between how many bands the router provides.

What Should You Look For In A D-Link Router?

D-Link uses two specifications to categorize their domestic routers. The speed of the network the router provides, and whether it is a smart-mesh router or not. Faster is generally better, though your ISP may not offer internet at speeds that can make use of the more powerful, and thus more expensive routers. A smart mesh network is ideal for large properties, though the need for additional extenders can be a cost some people may not wish to pay. All the above offered smart mesh routers come with the MU-MIMO technology to ensure the network they provide is of the best quality, so you are only paying extra for the smart mesh capability. That is important to note for those with smaller properties who do not need such a network.

Once deciding on the type of router you want from D-Link, you need to determine how many bands you need. Tri-band is better, as more networks mean more devices can use the connection at any one time, without affecting the experience of others. Again, such a feature may not be necessary for smaller properties.

Your Security

Stepping away from the actual network the router provides, some extras should factor into your final decision when buying a new router. Security, for example, is essential when using the internet, and the smart mesh D-Link routers come with included McAfee antivirus protection for an unlimited number of devices. A 5-year McAfee Secure Home Platform subscription and a 2-year McAfee LiveSafe subscription also comes with the smart mesh routers.

This additional security comes on top of the standard security schemes offered with D-Link router, which are WPA and WPA2, both of which can are accessible through the router's maintenance page. D-Link recommends that you only use WPA2 to ensure the best security. However, not all devices are compatible with the WPA2 security scheme. If you find yourself having trouble connecting to the router, you should switch the security settings to WPA. Gaming devices often have issues connecting to a WPA2 network. It is worth noting, that if you have a tri-band or dual-band router, you can set one of the networks to you use one security scheme, and the other to use the other, ensuring maximum compatibility.

Different routers, meet different needs, with not all households able to make the most out of the more expensive, high tech, and powerful routers. Work out your requirements and buy a router that meets your needs.