D-Link RangeBooster N 650 Router (DIR-635) review: D-Link RangeBooster N 650 Router (DIR-635)

Design and Features
D-Link's DIR-635 is a compact wireless router packed in a silver-trimmed black case of a very modest design. Three aerials are used for improved transmission speed and accuracy, however, the model does not include an internal modem, so it's probably best suited to add a wireless capability to your existing system rather than replacing it. Setting up the device was easy enough and D-Link provides plenty of advice on the browser-based configuration pages, but the menus are quite busy and the help may prove distracting.

7.0

D-Link RangeBooster N 650 Router (DIR-635)

The Good

Reliable performance. Excellent warranty period. Port filtering and modest URL filtering.

The Bad

Status lights are separated from corresponding ports. 100Mbps only over Ethernet.

The Bottom Line

D-Link's DIR-635 sports good performance and features at a reasonable price.

The router features port and IP forwarding, scheduled firewall settings and Web content filtering. Web filtering is enabled as a simple black/white-listing customised by the user. QoS control and WEP/WPA security are naturally present also.

It's great to see D-Link have the common sense to print default IP and log-in details on the bottom of the device to make setting up a little easier — although for security purposes you may want to change these during initial set-up.

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Performance
Our performance testing on wireless routers consists of checking wireless throughput speeds over a variety of distances between a notebook and the router. To test the router it is located at one end of a 55-metre long hallway, while the connection to the notebook is tested at five-metre increments by transferring a 1MB file between it and a wired PC, using the application Qcheck.

This is done until either the 55-metre point is hit, or the notebook is unable to reliably connect. At the 25-metre point there is a "dog-leg" in the hallway, and two results are recorded here — the first one is in line-of-sight, the second and all subsequent points after are obstructed.

Each test is performed at least five times, and the result averaged.

The DIR-635 router gave reliable performance — throughput was around 22Mbps up to 25m falling to 5Mbps at 55m.

Verdict
If you intend to connect to ADSL2+ over a wireless router and are one of the lucky ones that can achieve a speed between 21Mbps and 24Mbps, the D-Link DIR-635 won't be able to deliver the full speed to wireless clients. This isn't a show stopper as a large majority of homes are unlikely to hit this speed or even have the option available, but it's something to keep in mind.

This is a compact device, which nevertheless includes a USB port for easier wireless configuration. Good features mean the asking price of AU$199.95 is fine, but remember the device does not include a modem. D-Link provides a generous three-year warranty with the product.