D-Link Cloud N600 DIR-826L WiFi router: Pros and Cons
The D-Link Cloud N600 DIR-826L (DIR-826L) router released in 2012. It is powered by Ralink RT6856 @ 700 MHz chipset, 128 MB of RAM and 16 MB of flash. The N600 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with Cloud N600 DIR-826L is 300 + 300 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps WAN and 4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps LAN ports.
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Our personal experiences and opinions form the basis of this article. We aimed to share insights on a topic, and we hoped others would find it useful and inspirational. The specs below rely on official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the D-Link Cloud N600 DIR-826L, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The Cloud N600 DIR-826L is a versatile router that offers more than basic functionality. It has advanced features and capabilities. It provides a reliable, fast network for homes and offices. You can connect supported USB devices to the router. D-Link routers are generally known for their user-friendly design and easy setup process.
D-Link Cloud N600 DIR-826L specifications
| Brand | D-Link |
|---|---|
| Name | Cloud N600 DIR-826L |
| Type | DIR-826L |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2012 |
Body
| Dimensions | 93 x 111 x 145 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 330 g |
The dimensions and design of a router can impact its cooling capabilities. Routers with larger dimensions may have more space for internal cooling mechanisms. If you purchase a router online or have it shipped, the weight may affect the overall cost.
System
| Chipset | Ralink RT6856 @ 700 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 128 MB |
| Flash | 16 MB |
| OS | D-Link |
| Power supply | 12 V / 2 A |
The D-Link Cloud N600 DIR-826L router has a Ralink RT6856 @ 700 MHz processor. Some router features and software need a certain amount of RAM. They need it to work well. More storage space comes from a larger flash memory. It can accommodate future firmware upgrades. D-Link often releases firmware updates. They improve the router's features, security, and bugs. They also add new features. The 12 V / 2 A PSU provides power to the router. If it breaks, you can replace it with a new one.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | no |
The Cloud N600 DIR-826L router has built-in security features. They protect your network and devices. The IPv4 is the fourth iteration of the Internet Protocol (IP). It is the most widely used version of IP on the internet today. The latest firmware supports IPv6. It provides a system to identify and locate computers on networks. If you have a 1 Gbps or faster internet plan, you need gigabit Ethernet ports. They are essential to use all the available bandwidth. This router ensures that you can use fast internet from your ISP fully.
Wireless
| Antennas | 2 x 2 dBi internal |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n |
| Class | N600 |
| Speed | 300 + 300 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 19 dBm |
| Security | WPA WPA2 WPS |
| Guest network | yes |
This router has 2 x 2 dBi, internal antennas. Antennas are key parts of wireless routers. They send and receive radio signals to make wireless connections. The Cloud N600 DIR-826L is compatible with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks. The 5 GHz band offers better noise immunity and less interference. It also has more available channels. This is a Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) router. Wi-Fi 4 improved the range and coverage compared to previous Wi-Fi standards..
Real-world Cloud N600 DIR-826L router speeds are lower than its theoretical maximum speed. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security. WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) provides an easy method. It connects devices to a Wi-Fi network.
Connectivity
| USB ports | 1 x USB 2.0 |
|---|---|
| Print server | yes |
| File server | yes |
The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). USB print servers let you connect a USB printer to your network. This makes it accessible to many devices. You can connect external storage devices such as USB flash drives or USB hard drives to your router.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.0.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | Admin |
| Default password | [blank] |
If you can't log in to your D-Link router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your Cloud N600 DIR-826L router. Do this after the initial setup.
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this D-Link one, has its good sides and not-so-good sides. Let's take a closer look at both to get a full understanding of what this router can do. We'll talk about what it does well and also where it could use some improvements. Just remember, this is just what I think, and you might see things differently.
Pros
- lightweight
- sufficient memory
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- works on 5 GHz band
- WPS friendly
- USB 2 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- insufficient flash
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- lacks Wi-Fi 5 compatibility
- reduced Wi-Fi bandwidth
- incompatible with WPA3
D-Link Cloud N600 DIR-826L photos
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