- CNET Editors' Rating 7.4/10 Very good Editorial policies >>
- Average user rating from 140 users 5.4/10 Average Read user opinions >>
The good: Extensive security features; easy setup; small and light; includes wall mounts and rubber feet for optimal positioning.
The bad: Mediocre performance.
The bottom line: With a little hunting for a good deal, you can get the faster version of this router, the DI-624, for the same price or less.
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 09/17/2004
- Released on: 05/10/2004
D-Link bundles the usual component suspects with the DI-524 AirPlus G router: a CD with documentation and software; an AC adapter; a slightly short, 68-inch Ethernet cable (we'd prefer at least 84 inches); and a printed quick-installation guide. All of the terms and procedures in the DI-524's guide are thoroughly described through text, diagrams, and screenshots, making device setup quick and painless.
The DI-524's browser-based setup wizard automatically detects your Internet connection type. Once it senses whether your connection is dynamic, static, PPPoE, or PPTP, it walks you through setting up the DI-524 for your network type. The wizard also includes the instrumental steps of establishing an SSID and a WEP key. The guide ends with a clear explanation of how to connect the DI-524 to an existing network using either Windows XP or Mac OS X.
Aside from one digit in its name and a slower 54Mbps maximum data-transmission speed, the D-Link DI-524 is essentially the 108Mbps DI-624, so it shares most of the DI-624's useful features. For starters, the DI-524 keeps your data safe and secure through 64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption, letting you choose up to four WEP keys for the device. It also offers 802.1x authentication and WPA support, which includes both periodic key changes via TKIP (temporal key integrity protocol) through a RADIUS server and PSK (preshared key) collaboration. Like the DI-624's Ethernet switch, the DI-524's switch supports auto MDI/MDIX ports, facilitating smooth connections with other switches and hubs. You can also unscrew the router's antenna in order to add one that's more capable of delivering your desired coverage area.The DI-524 is the Fort Knox of wireless router firewalls. It includes domain and URL blocking, which keep unwanted sites away from the kids and thwart unwanted ads, VPN pass-through for remote employees who need access to the corporate network, and the ability to schedule device access by day and time. The firewall also allows for permissible breaches under certain circumstances. For example, you can opt to remove firewall protection from a specific computer on your network through the router's DMZ (short for demilitarized zone) setting. Initiating Game mode lets your computer become a wireless host for games such as Warcraft III. You can also turn off the firewall if you want to permit unrestricted Internet access.
In CNET Labs' maximum throughput tests, the D-Link DI-524 AirPlus G router earned a mediocre maximum speed of 23.1Mbps. That's a more impressive score than those from the likes of other routers such as the Linksys WRT54G, which earned a slower 15.6Mbps. But the DI-524's maximum speed is slow compared to that of another D-Link router, the DI-624 AirPlus Xtreme G, with its 44.4Mbps. However, the two achieved exactly the same 11.6Mbps score in our Labs' mixed-mode tests--again, that's faster than the Linksys WRT54G but nowhere near the Dell Wireless 2300's 18.2Mbps mixed-mode speed.For more details on how we test networking devices, see the CNET Labs site.
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User opinions
WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW How would you rate this product?
-
8/10 Excellent May 25, 2005
"Firmware version 1.11 fixes many problems on DI-524 Rev A" Read more >>
-
9/10 Spectacular August 18, 2005
"Finally works!" Read more >>
-
6/10 Good October 20, 2005
"WPA setup is tricky but possible in Windows XP" Read more >>
- WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEWSee all 140 user opinions >>
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