D-Link DIR-625: Another Draft N Router comes up short
by Gary Key on September 20, 2006 2:20 AM EST- Posted in
- Networking
Unencrypted Throughput - Server to Client:
Our throughput test continues with the performance of our four Draft N routers against the NetGear RangeMax 240 router based upon the Pre-N MIMO technology. These series of tests measure the performance of our clients to receive information from the desktop server.
Our Belkin N1 has the best overall scores in the maximum and average throughput test results of our Draft N routers, although the D-Link router is extremely close. However, the minimum throughput of both routers remains low compared to the NetGear and Linksys offerings. The NetGear WPNT834 Pre-N router still offers the most consistent performance. Our Linksys unit suffers a severe performance drop at the 80 foot range and after reviewing the test script results we noticed the Linksys had very sporadic connection rates. Although we never lost a signal it was obvious that the Linksys was having severe communication issues at this distance.
Encrypted Throughput (WPA2-PSK) - Server to Client:
The NetGear WPNT834 Pre-N router has the highest throughput overall with results almost doubling the capability of the other routers in the average results test at the 80 and 120 foot ranges. The NetGear WNR834B once again provides the most consistent throughput of the Draft N routers in the encrypted tests. We actually see the D-Link router performing better overall than the Belkin unit up to the 120 foot range. The Linksys WRT-300N posts the worst overall results when encryption is turned on.
Once again we see the Belkin, D-Link, and Linksys units struggling with encryption enabled in the majority of our 40 foot and above distance tests. It appears the current NetGear firmware and driver implementation is simply optimized better than our other Draft N routers. The NetGear WNR834B actually shows zero loss and up to a 10% improvement at the 40 foot range.
Our throughput test continues with the performance of our four Draft N routers against the NetGear RangeMax 240 router based upon the Pre-N MIMO technology. These series of tests measure the performance of our clients to receive information from the desktop server.
Our Belkin N1 has the best overall scores in the maximum and average throughput test results of our Draft N routers, although the D-Link router is extremely close. However, the minimum throughput of both routers remains low compared to the NetGear and Linksys offerings. The NetGear WPNT834 Pre-N router still offers the most consistent performance. Our Linksys unit suffers a severe performance drop at the 80 foot range and after reviewing the test script results we noticed the Linksys had very sporadic connection rates. Although we never lost a signal it was obvious that the Linksys was having severe communication issues at this distance.
Encrypted Throughput (WPA2-PSK) - Server to Client:
The NetGear WPNT834 Pre-N router has the highest throughput overall with results almost doubling the capability of the other routers in the average results test at the 80 and 120 foot ranges. The NetGear WNR834B once again provides the most consistent throughput of the Draft N routers in the encrypted tests. We actually see the D-Link router performing better overall than the Belkin unit up to the 120 foot range. The Linksys WRT-300N posts the worst overall results when encryption is turned on.
| Unencrypted versus Encrypted Throughput Maximum Mbps - Percentage Difference |
||||
| Client to Server | 10 Feet | 40 Feet | 80 Feet | 120 Feet |
| D-Link DIR-625 | -18.00% | -8.48% | -34.60% | -18.45% |
| Belkin N1 | -20.88% | -12.26% | -31.25% | -21.48% |
| NetGear WNR834B | -7.80% | 0.00% | -4.67% | -14.65% |
| Linksys WRT-300N | -13.33% | -33.40% | 68.60% | -14.06% |
| NetGear WPNT834 (Pre-N) | -16.73% | -12.18% | -13.54% | -12.55% |
| . | ||||
| Unencrypted versus Encrypted Throughput Average Mbps - Percentage Difference |
||||
| Client to Server | 10 Feet | 40 Feet | 80 Feet | 120 Feet |
| D-Link DIR-625 | -37.40% | -64.25% | -55.68% | -25.64% |
| Belkin N1 | -40.43% | -65.70% | -57.74% | -31.88% |
| NetGear WNR834B | -9.07% | 10.03% | -25.28% | -27.40% |
| Linksys WRT-300N | -55.92% | -54.97% | -31.58% | -24.14% |
| NetGear WPNT834 (Pre-N) | -13.63% | -9.85% | -9.03% | -8.04% |
| . | ||||
Once again we see the Belkin, D-Link, and Linksys units struggling with encryption enabled in the majority of our 40 foot and above distance tests. It appears the current NetGear firmware and driver implementation is simply optimized better than our other Draft N routers. The NetGear WNR834B actually shows zero loss and up to a 10% improvement at the 40 foot range.
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15 Comments
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yyrkoon - Friday, September 22, 2006 - link
How you got 'overheating NICs' out of what I said, is beyond me. As for routing overhead. the PCI version of the intel Pro GbE NIC, was second ONLY to its onboard counterpart last I checked (which WAS about a year ago).Anyhow, thats only the LAN portion of said router anyhow, it seems its the wireles portion of these devices that is severly lacking.
Beenthere - Wednesday, September 20, 2006 - link
Based on D-Link's history of shoddy products and I have personal experience that supports this, D-Link's Non-existent Customer and Tech Support, (sic) and I have proof of this, and based on class action lawsuits against their defective products, I couldn't in good conscience recommend any D-Link products to anyone. D-Link may not even be around when the dust settles on law suits?It's no surprise their product didn't perform as advertised. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the FTC files a class action lawsuit for fraud on this product too.
seabat - Wednesday, September 20, 2006 - link
I couldn't agree more.I have had the misfortune of using D-Link products at home and work, in both situations their products have let me down. My company recently spent 1000's changing over 80 D-Link switches because of reliability/stability issues.
drebo - Wednesday, September 20, 2006 - link
We've had good success with D-Link's print servers, but I don't really like their routers all that well.Just personal preference, though, of course.
TowerShield - Wednesday, September 20, 2006 - link
Of course, all draft-N routers from every manufacturer so far have basically been crap, so might as well file a class lawsuit against everyone if you think that is justification.(Can only think of one decent D-Link, that's the DGL-4300).