D-Link DI-624 Wireless Cable/DSL Router, 4-Port Switch, 802.11g, 108Mbps Reviews

• Very, Very Suprised!

  
  By A1VI9TQXTSX2KS on 2003-11-06
  This is my third wireless system. The last either had bad reception problems, bad connection problems or just stopped working. They both were SMC systems. They both were small nightmares to get up and running, and of course customer support sucked. I got rid of my last wireless system which was 802.11a which I bought because I thought it was much better. I am not a computer wiz I'll admit that but this technology should be easy for people like me to set up and use. I am who they sell this stuff to.

  I read reviews and decided to get this system with the D-link DWL-G650. I held my breath when I started setting it up. I was waiting for the minute when I would realize that I would need to call customer support. That didn't happen. This system did almost set itself up. I have a 2.4GHz phone and it doesn't seem to effect the range. I live in a brick house and I just went outside in my driveway, on the other side of house from where my wireless router is set up and I was getting almost 100% full signal strength. The online interface is very easy to use and the instructions are easy to follow. I did upgrade the firmware before I set up any of the hardware and the 108Mbps system is up and running. I can't say if this system will work tomorrow, but today I am very suprised at how it works.
  
  

• Works perfectly

  
  By A1MHWTX16UA7UF on 2004-08-20
  Compatibility issues are always present and, depending on hardware you already have, there is a chance that any given router will not work for you. That said, I had a chance to test my DI-624 on four networks (both LAN/Ethernet and Wireless B/G) and it worked perfectly. Cable modems I've used were Motorola, Cisco and Netgear.
  
  I know D-Link's tech support is somewhat sketchy in the US, but I don't think this is a product you'd need support on. It self-explanatory, really. You can access it's configuration interface from any PC that's connected to one of it's four LAN ports via Internet browser on 192.168.0.1. However, there's only wireless SSID and optional password to set, everything else in plug and play. Unless you want to customize firewall, DHCP and things like that. Actually, there's a demo of this interface on manufacturer's site so you can check it out yourselves.
  
  Using DI-624 in a home network with 3 "wired" PCs and 2 wireless notebooks has been a trouble free experience. Suddenly, all 5 PCs were connected to the Internet and were in LAN. It's range is superb - I can connect to it from the parking, which is some 300ft from my builing, and router is on the 5th floor, behind a reinforced concrete wall. Of course, inside the apartment itself, reception is always perfect. I just had to set password, though, so I wouldn't provide free wireless Internet to entire building.
  
  

• Low price for faulty hardware = waste of money

  
  By ATCKFCPGDB8ZD on 2004-11-14
  EDIT: After a firmware upgrade, the unit is working far better, and has been in use for about 3 months at my residence. Still, it drops out intermittently, and there are better choices.
  
  (1) Drops connections - a lot.
  (2) Many - hundreds of websites - report the same problem.
  (3) D-Link hired lots of marketers to write good opinions of this device. Don't trust them.
  (4) I know what I'm doing. I've set up my computer on literally a dozen different networks without a problem, and configured routers of various stripes for almost a decade. This isn't a newbie error - I was floored for many hours trying to get this thing to work.
  (5) It still doesn't work reliably.
  (6) This issue isn't a 'bad unit' issue - many other people sent in their D-Link routers, got a new one, and had exactly the same problem.
  
  Bottom line: one of the worst purchases I have made -- and I know what I'm doing. AVOID AVOID AVOID!
  
  

• Wireless devices cannot communicate with Wired Devices

  
  By A1L1NJ45PPEOPU on 2004-02-15
  While all other features of this product work fine, there is one key deficiency that is not evident to consumers via presales information. The problem is that computers with wireless network adapters cannot access devices/computers that are physically plugged into the router's ports. This was confirmed by DLINK's level two support. DLINK simply won't talk to you about this limitation because they consider it a "networking issue" and therefore, you're on your own (aka SOL).

  How will this impact you? Well, if you want to do file sharing between a laptop and desktop computer you're going to have a problem. In my case, I have a DLINK DP-300U print server plugged into the router. I can print to it just fine via wire, but I can't print via wireless. Can't even ping it from wireless.

  I mean, the fact that you can't form a network amongst the devices connected to this product via wired and wireless connections is an amazing oversight. No, it's not firewall software, etc., etc. Using a laptop with a USB "wired" adapter and two "wireless" (g and b) adapters, the same result appeared in all tests. Wired worked for communicating with devices physically connected to the DI-624, but wireless did not.

  In case I wasn't clear earlier, all devices, wired and wireless can talk to the DI-624 and they can access the Internet. Again, the problem is that on the DI-624, wired and wireless devices cannot communicate, making a home network a pipe dream. All devices in these tests interacted perfectly with the DI-624's DHCP server and all were on the same subnet.
  
  

• Great router, online in under 10 minutes

  
  By APQSHASU65LRX on 2004-03-19
  This router is my first wireless one ever and I am very pleased with the purchase. After a lot of research, I decided on the D-Link. I have read that LinkSys routers set the standard for ease of use, but I cannot really imagine how much easier installation and setup can get! Honestly, I had the router setup in under 10 minutes with my laptop connected to my cable modem and accessing the internet via the router's LAN port (i.e. ethernet cable). The router sports some nice firewall features. I was not too impressed with the online help however. Several options that the router offers for configuration were not described in the online help (stored in router firmware). The D-Link support site has decent information, perhaps enough for you to get most problems taken care of. However, I had an issue when using the D-Link DWL-G650 card with WAP security which after about 6 hours of frustration got resolved in about 5 minutes with a phone call to customer service. Anyway, this was no fault of the router itself since the blame lies on the outdated driver D-Link ships with the PC card. I use AT&T VPN solution to access my office network and the router works just fine. The DHCP server came up just fine and my machines were happily on the network via wires.
  Pros:
  - easy to setup
  - good security features
  - D-Link website has pretty good cust service info
  - IPSEC VPN passthrough worked without any issues
  Cons:
  - online help included in firmware not the best
  - Several advanced options of firewall etc not very well documented (ie. not that easy to use for those inexperience with advanced security settings)
  Overall, I'd give this router a 4.5 stars and would definitely consider it a good buy for both the novice as well as experienced computer users.
  
  
• Good but....
  By A35HW50X6W1BGL on 2003-03-25
  If your WLAN only includes 802.11G based devices this device will be very usefulll for you. (It deserves 5 stars) Wireless setup is very very simple and effective. Firewall, Filters (MAC, URL, Domain), Virtual Server (Virtual Server is used to allow Internet users access to LAN services), DMZ features is very good and all of them is working without a problem. You can also do some fine tunnings for WLAN performance. (Beacon, RTS, DTIM etc.)
  128 bit WEP encryption nearly does not have any effect on the WLAN performance. It is two times faster than 802.11b (13-14 Mbit real world performance) and worked in 90 feet without a problem. And I think the size and looks of the router is more cool than others. But here is the conclusions:
  Almost all system settings changes forces the router to reboot without asking to user!
  This device is not fully compitable with 802.11b devices. (i.e HP iPAQ 5450) There is no settings for wireless modes. I mean I could not set the router to 802.11b only mode. Forcing the router to 11Mbit in performance settings is simply not working. If you have 802.11g PCI/PCMCIA adaptor it is imposiible to slow down the router.
  In the case of 802.11b compatiblity, I totally dissatisfied about D-Link Support.
  And remmember that 802.11G is a draft standart.
  
  
• Nice Router from a former Linksys User
  By A1GQRGB8FGSLIZ on 2003-12-29
  The setup of the router is simple. You can actually go to D-Link's website and use the emulator, that way you can get an idea on what the configuration screens look like.

  I have the Rev C router, which is smaller and has only only 1 antenna. It supports both WEP and WPA security.

  The range in my 2 story house is good. The router is on the second floor. From time to time, while sitting down stairs, I will get interference from my Neighbors router, if my card loses connection with my router.

  With the firmware upgrade you get speeds of up to 108 mbps. I average around 42 mbps sitting downstairs. Keep in mind if you have any wireless hardware that does not support 108 mbps turbo mode it will prevent your router from using it.

  I have had it for a month now, so far everything is working good.
  
  

• CAUSE OF RANDOM RE-BOOTS: Read Here
  By A3V6QSKMPBM5V8 on 2004-05-06
  This is my second router - my first was a wired, D-link DI-604, which worked like a charm. Then, I bought this wireless one. Almost immediately, the problems started - random router reboots, like everyone else seems to have.

  Four calls to tech support got me nowhere, until the final, 2nd level support person I talked to suggested something interesting. I disabled the wireless capability entirely via the setup interface, and physically removed the antenna just to make sure. The support person said that if it then works without incident, that means something in the "environment" is sending a signal that is causing the modem to reset itself.

  Well, sure enough, the router is 100% OK now. But, it's also now not a wireless modem. The culprit? In the next room, no more than 5 feet away - a 2.4GHz Cordless Phone, bought around the same time as the modem. If I leave it unplugged, or if I leave the wireless capability of the modem off, I'm OK. With both on, I get the drops.

  So, you have two choices: avoid cordless phones or any other appliances in that frequency range (good luck - it's amazing how many appliances cause various radiation signatures), or alternately, you could buy a modem that DOESN'T ACCEPT RESETS FROM EXTERNAL WIRELESS CONNECTIONS! I recommend the latter. This modem has an obvious, fatal flaw.
  
  

• Decent router for wired and wireless networks
  By on 2004-07-11
  I've owned this router for about a year. Its primary usage is light to medium home web browsing and Apple Mac <--> Windows XP PC networking. Since then I've upgraded the firmware twice. The latest firmware update added WPA support, a much needed replacement for WEP's mediocre wireless security. I've used the D-Link DI-624 on wired/wireless sessions with no problems. I'm using a Mac PowerBook aluminum on wireless to write this review. My current DI-624 setting using a Mac PowerBook is Super G with Dynamic Turbo (backwards compatible), 802.11g only enabled. I can't compare this to similar routers made by other companies, this being my only purchased router, but I'm satisfied with its performance and ease of use via browser configuration. There are plenty of professional reviews on the web, so be sure to read all you can before buying any brand of router. A router is an amazing device and I'd never use the Internet without one.

  As other reviewers have stated, the help files aren't the best. It would be nice to see a router help menu that stays current with each new firmware update and feature set. There is additional help information on D-Link's web site if you desire more information, such as settings for WPA and what it means for your home or business network. There was a bug in the configuration wizard in earlier firmware versions, but I'm not sure if it has been fixed since. Nonetheless, manual configuration is what I've always used to apply changes.

  I strongly recommend before you finalize your network, you apply any available firmware updates to both your router *and* computer hardware (wireless card). A router firmware update will wipe out any MAC filtering data, settings, etc. There are two firmware updates for this model, so be sure to note how to tell what file you need and only apply the correct one. Jot down information that you might need to enter after the update. Complete the router upgrade over a wired network, not on a wireless connection. Update your operating system and drivers first thing, as always.
  
  

• superbly designed and executed product
  By on 2003-04-19
  The Dlink DI-624 router/wireless AP is working great. I bought this when I bought a new Mac w/ Airport Extreme (802.11g)... It plays very friendly w/ both Macs and PCs, and Dlink is on the few companies out there who specifically advertises that they support mac (I know they all do since it's not software specific, but it's nice for them to at least give effort!!)

  The Router is very good... it was setup w/ my cable modem in moments, with a few more minutes of looking around (didn't touch a manual except to learn the default login procedure) I was able to have the router configured to my specific private IP address range (this was replacing another unit, so I wanted to keep everything the same). I was also able to setup the unit to email me logs of renewals/connections (just to be sure my neighbors aren't using it!)

  The wireless has been flawless so far... the speed is quick, while I haven't done any exact measurements, I can say that's it's a big boost over 802.11b from what I've seen so far.

  The range has been great too... the unit is setup in the utility room of my basement, the room where my laptop is most often used is also in the basement... but I'm able to go the top level and still have connection... looking forward to nicer weather so I can go outside with it!

  It's much bigger (physically) then I expected... but it's on a shelf next to my furnace so what do I care... but if you're going to have this sitting on your desk or shelf, keep the size in mind.
  
  

• Easy Set-up
  By on 2003-10-09
  Got the DLink DI-624 Router, DWL-G650 Card, and DWL- G520 for my other desktop yesterday. Initial setup was pretty straightforward with default configurations. I chose this router since it supports WPA and some of the linksys ones that I saw currently doesn't. Had some configuration issues but that was due to XP's wireless zero configuration. Disabled XP's configuration so I could use the one that DLink has for the client cards. I get full signal strength/speed in my 1400Sqft condo. Speeds seem good like if I was on my wired network for surfing the web (figures since my SBC Yahoo connection is only 768Kbps and I'm connected to the router at 54Mbps). The device seems to play well with my DSL modem and my Netscreen firewall. It supports pass through VPN (IPSEC) so I can connect to my corporate lan through VPN. The only issue is that I had my VPN tunnel drop a couple of times but was connected to it for over 7 hours yesterday without a drop.

  It also has some nice features such as MAC filtering (to keep other wireless users from connecting through your router), WPA-PSK which was just released and is much more secure than WEP as well as easier to set up. You will have to download the WPA supplicant from DLink's site but it was pretty straight forward. Overall, would recommend this router..... performance and the features you get for the price makes it a great value.
  
  

• Good effort
  By on 2004-05-28
  I'm an IT professional and prone to breaking and consequently fixing things. This is my 2nd wireless product in as many weeks after I tried a Linksys wireless that didn't work and promptly returned it. Got this router cheap on a Christmas sale.

  This router suffers the usual D-Link products reboot problem. That is, it reboots every 5-10 seconds depending on your network traffic load. Since I use it for my home office, that means every 5 seconds. It is very annoying.

  After upgrading, downgrading and re-upgrading the firmware and trying suggestions other have on the web, I found that my problem can be solved by turning off the wireless radio. But what good is a wireless router without a wireless radio?!

  To add insult to injury, D-Link informs me an RMA is needed and that I would have to pay for the shipping cost to D-Link and I would be without a router for a week!!

  I bought the router and was not expecting to have problems. Why should I pay for your mistake???!!!

  P.S. Over Christmas I've used a Linksys, D-Link and SMC wireless in order of most expensive to least expesive. Ironically, I got the SMC for free and it's the only one that didn't give me any problems!

  P.P.S. I bought the router because it had a lot of features such as DDNS to link up with DynDNS.org ... it never worked!
  
  

• technical feedback for advanced users
  By A2M5A13WSHBPAR on 2004-06-05
  I've been working with 802.11 for two years now, setting up networks for friends, family and small businesses, so I'm fairly experienced. when I set up my networks, they are secure - 128-bit shared bit encryption, SSID broadcasting disabled and the end-all defense of MAC address filtering, which is how I configured this router. installation and configuration was a breeze, and the configuration options for this router cover just about any and every setting you could think of (VPN/PPTP support - excellent!). after a couple days of use, though, clients on my network started to suddenly and inexplicably stop seeing the router, right in the middle of active use. one client connection would go down while my other clients hummed along fine in full contact with the router. at another time, one client would see the router fine, put the client couldn't ping it. TCP/IP wasn't the fault, the loopback address worked fine, the problem lay elsewhere in the OSI model. disabling the NIC and re-enabling it (WXP) would solve the problem, though. baffling. since clients were randomly loosing contact with the router, I hunched that turning SSID broadcasting back on - against my security preferences - would solve the problem and, for now, it apparently has. at least I still have the power of MAC address filtering in place, so if someone really wants to try cracking the encryption and then spoofing a MAC address, have at it. my suggestion would be to move on since there a many easier targets out there, guys. note that all this applies to a DI-624 Rev C with the latest firmware (the upgrade of which was a snap). contrary to some of the other reviews here, I've found D-Link's tech support to be excellent - thorough, patient and able to actually support, but each situation is unique and your mileage may vary. I did have some problems getting my DWL-G650 PC card to operate at the advertised Super G transmission rate (it started off at 11 Mbps!), which I will write about under the reviews for that specific card when I get a chance. if you've been thinking about upgrading to a wireless network, I do indeed recommend D-Link's products (I keep all parts of my network under the same vendor for ease of support and a better chance of minimizing problems). if you're a novice user and aren't going to do advanced configurations like the kind I discuss here, I'm guessing there won't be a single hitch. and seeing as how I paid almost three times the cost of this router for my 802.11b router two years ago, the prices can't be beat. frankly, I don't see how they could get much lower. and the transmit speed of Super G is awesome - I stream mp3's off my file server all day long without any hiccups. I give the DI-624 a four star rating simply because nothing's perfect - as witnessed by the minor issues I had - but overall I definitely buy it again.
  
  
• After many comparisons - No Problems with my DLink 624
  By on 2004-06-29
  Well after reading tons of reviews between the Dlink and the NetGear 108Mbps Super G Wireless Routers I decided to purchase the DLink DI-624. The prices on Amazon were similar as were the rebates so money wasn't the deciding factor. Being a Macintosh user I wanted to make sure it'd be no problem to use, as most things are built for PC these days... and the DLink was more recommend towards Macintosh users than NetGear.
  
  Only down thing that surprised me about the DLink is that it is housed in a silver plastic shell, not brushed metal as I thought. No big deal. And for those that complained you can't stand it on it's side. They now ship it with a stand similar to NetGear's so you can sit it on it's side.
  
  I basically installed it out of the box to my ComCast Cable internet line. Went through all the installation proceedures in the quickstart guide and was up and running. I have not updated the firmware, as it shipped with version 2.28 and see no reason to fix something that's not broken, though I will probably update it soon just to keep things current. I'm running it in 128 bit encryption mode and have been able to keep connected with no problems inside my home. I'm runing one iMac on ethernet, a PC tower on ethernet, a Mac G4 laptop on wireless using the internal airport card, and a PC laptop on wireless all using the DLink router... and it all works just fine! No connection problems, nothing! Just enter the correct password and it's a go.
  
  I've also used NetGear routers in the past and have had no problems with those either. I don't know how people get confused or end up with faulty products. I'm no I.T. pro, but I understand the basics... No reasons not to buy this product. I'm guessing I wouldn't of had a problem with NetGear's wireless router also, but who knows...
  
  
• From a knowledgeable consumer
  By A13893RS34376P on 2003-10-21
  I'm a systems administrator and have years of experience working with networking equipment, and this is one of the best, if not the best product in it's category. I have always been happy with D-Link products but I was a bit skeptical with this one because of the mixed reviews. I took a chance and I definitely was surprised, as this product is even better than any of the other previous D-Link products I have used. Where can I begin...first of all make sure you get rev. C, not A or B. I have a lot of networking knowledge, but most people who would consider this product could at least have an internet connection with it in a few minutes. Despite it's simple easy to use setup interface, the features are unmatched in any product in it's class. D-Link is always good about releasing significant firmware updates and this prodcut is no exception. Everything you read in reviews about this product, that users complain about, has been fixed with future firmware revisions. For example, they added MAC reservations, they added an option for 802.11G only mode, they now have 108Mb/s support (although you need their network card for this). etc. I can't go into detail in this space about the excellent features, but let me say that I have a very sophisticated home network and this is the only home router that does the job for me. Multiple VPN connections, using PTP or IPSEC work great on this thing, WITHOUT turning off the firewall (read the fineprint with other products). The product does port redirection not just port forwarding (again look at similar products). This product is also very useful if you are looking for a product that can help limit what your kids can do. More features for restricting Internet Access than any home router I have seen. Oh, and range is excellent I get 54Mb/s anywhere in my 3 bedroom house, and I get good signal strength all the way out to our street (and beyond) at about 5.5Mb/s. Mixed 802.11b and 802.11g clients also work very well, contrary to what some others have said. Anyway, I have had no problems with this product whatsoever, and it's one of the best pieces of networking equipment I have ever used.
  
  
• Wired/Wireless Issue
  By A1L1NJ45PPEOPU on 2004-03-22
  It appears that DLINK is sending its marketing staff into overtime writing glowing reviews for its products. As for the wireless/wired communication problem, it's been extensively documented on BroadbandReports.com. If you have a DI-624 Hardware Rev C2 and Firmware Rev 2.28 (Oct), you will not be able to see the wired devices on your network, although both wireless and wired devices will be able to access the router and the Internet. This is not a problem with Firmware Rev 2.28 (Nov), but this version is not downloadable on DLINK's USA web site (some have said it's available on the Canadian site).

  In Feb DLINK put out Firmware Rev 2.36 which dropped all connectivity with wireless devices after 60 seconds. A week later, they put out Firmware Rev 2.37 which appears stable, although (a) there is no documentation from DLINK regarding changes in the interface, and (b) the late firmware will not load in configuration files from slightly earlier versions, meaning that you have to enter everything again (which is a pain if you've done MAC filtering and static IP addressing).

  Furthermore, DLINK refuses to put out documentation regarding its "Gaming Mode" which explains what blanket settings this mode actually applies to the router, so one can assess the security implications of electing it. Their post-sales staff referred me to their pre-sales staff who refused to release anything. It's not as if such settings are proprietary in any way.

  Although this product appears to work fine now, the headaches I had to go through would have turned me to Linksys had I known what I was in for prior to purchase. The only reason I chose DLINK was its XBOX Live compatibility certification.

  Everything I just wrote are FACTS. If anyone has doubts about this, go to broadbandreports.com and do searches on DI-624. The issues I highlight are talked about in substantial depth.

  One final note, stay AWAY from the DWL-G810 bridge. It does not support DHCP from the router to PCs connected to it. Using Firmware revisions 2.0 and 2.12, I have not been able to get it to obtain its IP information from the router via DHCP. The setup is entirely manual--you must setup the IP address of the bridge manually and any computer connected to it manually. The most ridiculous problem is that IT WILL NOT WORK IF YOU ARE NOT BROADCASTING THE SSID. What a crock. That's basic wifi security to not beacon your SSID. Strangely, the DLINK range extender DWL-G800AP will work if the SSID isn't broadcast, so obviously DLINK could address this deficiency.
  
  

• D-Link has some fast "G" Speeds that are the Way to Go!
  By A3C16Y4E5V382Y on 2003-04-19
  I have this router along with the laptop adapter from D-Link. I can be anywhere in my home and get a strong signal. This was easy to set up and works seamlessly with my wifes laptop that uses 802.11b still. When she isn't isn't home or when her PC is off it seems to me that I can get slightly better transfer speeds.

  I am mainly concerned with everything working well across both "B" and "G" not so much with the speed capabilities.
  This router, like other D-Link products I've tried, has a simple and intuative interface that allows you to change a wide array of things so you feel more in control. Or you can just leave them as default and be on your merry way.

  For me, it has worked as advertised and it feels good. It isn't very often that you can get something this complex in features at such a low price, and on top of that so easy to use.
  
  

• Stay Away!
  By A1ZCSSCAGBCD49 on 2004-04-11
  I have this router and just bought the Linksys WRT54G to replace it. BEFORE you buy the D-Link 624 go to DSLREPORTS and read the D-Link Forum section. As for all the trouble, I thought it was me. I get constant disconnects (rebooting router) I can't get my PocketPC with a Socket WLAN card to connect and my configure screens won't paint correctly. This router is a TURKEY. Those that got it to work are LUCKY! I'm on firmware 2.42, which is current as I write this. I originally bought the 624 (at Costco) because my 614+ fritzed out. Why did I even waste my time. I learned about the DSLREPORTS forum by accident, didn't know of it before I purchased. The 624 is going back.

  COMMENT: To the person who didn't find this review helpful, what would you have liked me to say? I hope you enjoy your new DI-624!
  
  

• Great device considering other reviews!
  By A2M0Q6IBRRYYHX on 2004-10-24
  I received this yesterday and got it for a a great price (...). It was lower than other comparable products and offers the increased network speed.
  
  Out of the box, I was able to plug it in and be up and running right away (of course without WLAN security or other customizations) despite operating previously with hard-coded internal IPs. Honestly, the hardest part was remembering how to reassign my network printer from a 192.168.1.x address to a 192.168.0.x address (ended up just using DHCP which I didn't use previously for security reasons).
  
  My environment consists of two laptops (1 XP and 1 W2K) on wireless (the 128-bit WEP encryption was a snap to set up -- a first for me for my WLAN), a LAN-wired Brother network printer, a ReplayTV, a Win98 desktop and an XP desktop (this computer). So as a power-user, I needed a solid device and this one seems to be doing it so far (1 day in).
  
  One important thing to take note: I modified all of the settings in the control administrator (awesome emulator to try out on d-link's website by the way) and even saved the settings to my hard drive so as not the lose them in the future in case of the need for a factory reset. However, when I got to the firmware section, I was out of date by 1 revision and when you update the firmware, you CANNOT reload saved settings. So, UPDATE THE FIRMWARE PRIOR TO CHANGING ANY SETTINGS OTHER THAN THE PASSWORD (because it will continue to prompt for the password every time you click until you change it).
  
  Once past that, everything else was a breeze including some great extra features such as time-sync to a time server, UPNP support, DDNS updating (I can uninstall DirectUpdate now since this has built-in support for dyndns.org, easydns.com, and no-ip.com accounts if you host from your own computer).
  
  All that's left is to configure the firewall and specify which ports I want to open to the outside (other than WLAN access, it comes already locked down out of the box which is great).
  
  Performance has been great also, but so far I haven't run any tests or tried to compare the network traffic speed from what I had before (old router conked out anyway). There are at least no noticeable lockups, freezes, delays or other issues with the network traffic that others seem to have reported.
  
  So, so far, this device has been a snap to set up (total time spent, maybe a few hours, but that would be much less for someone not needing to reconfigure a network printer or for someone that follows my above tip so as not to lose extra time). I didn't need any tech support so I can't comment on that, but for the price, performance and features I would highly recommend this for anyone looking to add or replace a router (at least for now since it's still a bit early to identify any long-term issues).
  
  Just to add to the review...since posting the other day, I realized that I was using a weaker form of security in the form of WEP and so attempted WPA-PSK setup. I had some issues with it, specifically related to DHCP, despite it seeming to be straight-forward (even after upgrading all of my NIC card drivers) and had to call tech support. They replicated what I had already done before passing me over to Level 2. In Level 2, they told me to force an IP which worked, but this is a less-than-perfect solution for wireless if you travel with a laptop and roam from network to network. We even tried the Windows Alternate Configuration that exists in SP2 and that didn't work. A few hours later and still in the same situation.... I finally beat the computer by changing the starting IP address range to be 10 instead of 100. For whatever reason, the laptop was able to wirelessly pick up an IP in a lower range through DHCP using WPA-PSK once I made the change. Even though that was a hassle, I'm glad it's over with and still feel pretty good about this little thing.
  
  
  
• WPA encryption does not work
  By A1Y44GQM31SWWX on 2005-10-22
  D-Link's technician told me the DI-624c does not work with WPA encryption. He claims that future firmware will support WPA, but for now the WPA mode is "unstable". He had me set it up with WEP encryption.
  
  I feel a little gypped, since D-Link advertises WPA on their website and I expected WPA when I purchased it. (I'm using firmware version 2.70 - dated 8/31/05.)
  
  
• ******** CONSTANT REBOOT PROBLEMS!!!!! ****************
  By on 2004-04-13
  I do NOT recommend this router. It appears that Amazon has a bad batch of routers. I went through two units only to realize the problem was systemic. I would get constant reboot errors causing all wired and wireless devices to lose connectivity. I upgraded the firmware and still no avail. Do a search on google for yourself and you'll see that many people are experiencing the same issue. I recommend that you save yourself some headaches and go with Linksys or Netgear.
  
  
• Constant reboots. Annoying.
  By on 2004-04-22
  This is a great router if you don't plan on ever doing any serious usenet downloads or p2p file sharing.

  The massive traffic generated by either of these applications makes the router think it's being pinged to death. Instead of filtering out the requests or doing something else, the router reboots itself! How great is that. Several firmwares later and the problem remains.

  As of the 2.42 firmware, this router is vulnerable to the 'targa3' exploit, a test of which results in a reboot. Many other routers are not vulnerable to targa3, but this one is.

  I'd advise against the DI-624. Its been nothing but trouble.
  
  

• A Full-Featured High-Performance "Piece of Junk".
  By A3OFCE7FBI0T81 on 2005-02-24
  I used to love D-Link so I replaced my old "b"-band di-614+ with this "G"-band Xtreme di-624 and what a day and night.
  
  I would give some stars for it's performance and features but the hassle dealing with its problems is not worth it.
  
  Go do a Google search for "d-link di-624" and you would read from countless victims of this product.
  
  It works great when it chooses to. But sometimes it just does not want to connect with the cable modem. Or it just keeps restarting every few minutes like most users have complained. It also seemed that one must use a special "crash recovery" method to load the newest firmware (2.50). Either firmware for my Rev.C router yields the same results. Normally a couple reboots with manual network cable disconnect/reconnect would make the router 'fly' again but would not stop me from constantly turning my head to the modem to check for connection light.
  
  I would spend a little more and give up some features for a stable and worry-free router. I would even consider buying the old "b"-versions but not this junk. I think paying consumers really want a stability and a worry-free, or at worst a fixable router.
  
  
• Great Start for 802.11g and it Can Only Get Better From Here
  By A14UORV02T08KC on 2003-03-29
  I have this DI-624, a DWL-G650(802.11g CardBus), and a DWL-650+(802.11b+ CardBus). Everything is working great for me. I get good range and good speeds at those ranges. My wife uses the DWL-650+ in her laptop and I use the DWL-G650 in mine. We both get great range in our home, every room is covered. The speeds are more than enough for web browsing, playing games online, and your everyday normal network traffic.

  The setup of this router and these cards were very simple and had easy to follow directions to go along with them. The router's setup was equally simple. It had a simple setup wizard that guides you through the steps needed to get up and running properly.
  
  

• Exercise in patience...
  By on 2003-09-18
  Unlike my former D-704 router the case is plastic and it only weights about 1/3 of the weight and is pretty fragile. The web based setup is very straight forward for simple configurations, more complex ones take a little time because of overuse of "ok" splash panels in the UI.

  The big problem for me is that it simple will not route! I use an Alcatel ASDL1000 modem and the two will not work together. It is difficult to pinpoint the problem but the modem works fine with my former d-704 router. Now the rub... d-link's technical support is terrible. Let me say that again... the industry's worst.

  After close to 10 hours on the phone mostly on hold or as a result of their automated system dropping my connection and then three promised return calls by "senior support staff" that never materialied I've given up. What looked like a promising product is being returned. My friends who were awaiting my review have been steered away and hopefully this review will reach a few more...

  Honestly, look at the alternatives which are very similar in technical spec but have much better support -- I think I'm going to purchase the NetGear product now.

  Postfix:
  Finally (after 10 hours) talked to a level 3 technition. He was helpful and realised I did know what I was doing. Bottom line: It does not work with my Alcatel modem -- Bummer.
  
  

• Almost but no cigar !!
  By on 2004-02-06
  I purchased the DI 624 and DWL G650 combination. The price was great and the advertised feature set impressive. I received a 624 Rev C and and a DWLG650 Rev B4. Out of the box setup in about 10 minutes. Then I went for the SuperG mode (108mbps) and got it working when in close proximity to the access point even though the Dlink Air Plus configuration utility said my connection was poor. Went about 75' away and my signal was listed as excellent but could only achieve 54mbps. Next I tried to enable WPA-PSK, the main reason I bought this combo. I spent around 2 hours trying to get this to work to no avail. The online help at Dlink is outdated by about six months. My Rev of card is not even listed, I contacted tech support via email and I did receive a response in 48 hours but the response was elementary and had been tried in many variations. My router boots itself so far around once a day for no reason and I occaisonally lose wireless connection while surfing. I have 15 years in networking and have built many wireless networks. While this product has potential it does not work as advertised. There are definitely isssues with the advanced features of this router and card. A home user might be able to live with this but this will not suffice for anyone in business. Dlink needs to address these issues. There are many posts on the internet for this hardware with the same issues.
  
  
• Excellent wireless router
  By A3EFSLEMHNPP6A on 2004-03-29
  I did quite a bit of research on wireless routers before finally going with this product from D-link. Security wise, you shouldn't have to worry, b/c not only does it have WEP and WPA-PSK features, it should be fully compatible (thru a firmware update) with the new security standards coming out with the 802.11i upgrade this summer. It also allows VPN passthrough, so I was able to connect to my company's network from home.

  I am pretty familiar with computers, though knew nothing of wireless routers on my setup. The setup was easy, and the web interface easy to use, though I have yet to explore all the different options. Overall speed is very fast (used in conjunction with the wireless card DWL-650), around 40 MBPs on the first floor (80% signal strength), and ~ 30 mpbs (70% signal strength) upstairs. Range is good, although strangely, I only get a 60% reading 1 foot from the base station. I live in a large brick house, with perhaps one other wireless connection from my neighbors.

  I did encounter the trademark problem of initially having the router reboot every few minutes back to April 1, 2002. If you read the boards carefully, it's recommended that you do a full factory reset (some junk leftover on the memory needs to be cleared out), and make sure that you hold the button in for at least 30 seconds, leaving the power on, then off, then on again. By then, the load firmware page should appear on the web interface, and you can load the latest firmware (2.48 I think). (After loading the firmware, it doesn't tell you when it's done, so you'll have to go ahead and reboot both your computer and the router.)

  Also, disable any built-in internal wireless cards you might have; I had an Intel Wireless Pro 2100 on my IBM Thinkpad that was causing problems with the functioning of the DWL-650.

  After applying those two fixes, my network has been running flawlessly. Tech support is 24/7, and I got help from a very helpful tech that was fortunately based in the US!

  I intend to buy the signal booster and usb wireless adapter (for my printer) to eventually establish a true wireless network.

  Am very happy with the products!
  
  

• Drops connections periodically - AVOID!!!!!
  By A3FW31J84KGM32 on 2005-02-03
  This router frequently drops connection (a little window saying a network connection has been unplugged pops up).
  
  After searching the net I found that it is an extremely common problem and as of yet, there is no fix.
  
  It's usually for only a second or few but if you are in the middle of a transfer or if you are gaming, it's really annoying.
  
  I would not buy this router again.
  
  
• The Great Rebooting Router Mystery Tour
  By A17BY2PXQUEDVQ on 2005-05-03
  This is an inexpensive, easy to setup router / firewall combo.
  
  You'll be fine if you do no online gaming or anything requiring consistent connectivity.
  
  There are ongoing, unresolved issues with DLink routers and how they handle a PADT packet from your ISP's equipment.
  
  This router handles the command by not only disconnecting, but by also REBOOTING itself. This leads to a 15-30 second disconnect condition while the device reboots.
  
  I'm sorry to say I really can't recommend this item (it's rebooted 3 times while writing this!)
  
  
  
• The "g" is a HUGE improvement over the "b"
  By A291XTI6NO7DEG on 2005-10-20
  I had bought a D-Link wireless router, and later found that I chose the "b" type router. What a waste: 11mbs, bad reception, the works.
  
  I then upgraded to this router and found:
  
  - I no longer have any dead spots in the house
  
  - NO interference with the cordless phone
  
  - reception across the street!!
  
  - true 108 megabytes per second connection, BUT ONLY after I upgraded the firmware at the D-Link site. Upgrading was FREE and EASY, took only a few minutes.
  
  - Plug-n-play. I unplugged my old D-link router and just plugged in the new one. Turned it on, it aquired the internet instantly and it has WORKED FLAWLESSLY ever since.
  
  - My wireless currently supports 3 wireless computers and 1 hooked up via ethernet. I've turned on the WEP and had all four computers on the internet at the same time and haven't noticed it slow down, restart/reboot, or give us any problems. Two of the four computers were running a graphic-intense online game while I was downloading files on the others.
  
  - signal goes through walls as though they weren't even there! Even down into the basement!
  
  On my previous D-Link, I did have to call customer service twice (for WEP setup questions) and both times were for nightmare reasons on my end. The tech was patient and VERY HELPFUL, which is more than I can say for most other products.
  
  Anyway, signal is GREAT, customer service is GREAT, overall ease of use is GREAT, and you can't beat the price. I highly recommend this product for your wireless home network.
  
  

• Quicken Deluxe 2009
• Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Standard
• Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2009
• Adobe Photoshop Elements 7
• Norton Internet Security 2009

• D-Link DWL-G520 Wireless PCI Adapter, 802.11g, 108Mbps
• D-Link DWL-G650 Wireless Cardbus Adapter, 802.11g, 108Mbps
• Kingston Data Traveler 1 GB USB Flash Drive ( DTI/1GB )
• Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router
• Kingston Data Traveler 2 GB USB Drive (DTI/2GB)