D-Link DIR-518L WiFi router: Pros and Cons

The DIR-518L is a powerful router. It is full of features and made for advanced networking. The USB connectors on the router add versatility to your network. They enable file sharing, printer sharing, and other USB functions. D-Link has a strong presence and offers a wide range of networking products.

D-Link DIR-518L specifications

Body

If you have limited space, like in a small apartment or office, the dimensions can determine if it can fit there. If you plan to mount your router on a wall or ceiling, the weight can affect the mounting process. It also affects the type of mounting hardware needed.

System

The Realtek RTL8881AQ CPU is key. It, along with factors like RAM and firmware, decides how well the router works. The 64 MB of RAM enables the router to handle multiple tasks and processes concurrently. Flash memory retains its data even when the router is off. This allows the router to keep its firmware and settings across reboots. Upgrading router firmware has become simple and user-friendly.

Network

Like many modern routers, the D-Link DIR-518L supports many features and tech. They improve your network's connectivity and security. Most networking equipment, like routers and switches, supports IPv4. The DIR-518L router is also compatible with IPv6. IPv6 has a much bigger address space. It also offers many enhancements and improvements over IPv4. Wired connections may bottleneck due to the limits of Fast Ethernet ports. Connect the 3G/4G USB dongle to the DIR-518L router. Then, you can share the internet connection. You can share it with many devices on your local network.

Wireless

The internal antennas allow sending and getting many data streams at once. This boosts overall throughput and improves Wi-Fi performance. Many IoT devices, smart home devices, and older Wi-Fi devices mainly use the 2.4 GHz band. To optimize your Wi-Fi experience, it's often recommended to use a combination of both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The Wi-Fi router offers fast data speeds. They are good for streaming HD video, online gaming, and large file transfers.

The top speed, 600 Mbps, is the highest data rate the router can reach. It's the theoretical limit in perfect conditions. 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

The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). A USB print server adds print functionality. You can manage settings, watch queues, and control access from one place. The DIR-518L router lets you schedule backups. You can back up to the connected USB storage device.

Administration

Changing the password often is a good security practice. It protects your network and devices from unauthorized access. Changing the default password improves your router's security. It reduces the risk of unauthorized individuals controlling your network.

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.

D-Link DIR-518L photos

If there’s information about the D-Link DIR-518L that you would like to see on this site, then write to us.

Robert Miller

For over 15 years, I've immersed myself in the world of networking devices as a tech aficionado. I've dedicated myself to thoroughly testing and analyzing routers and other networking gear. I aim to provide thorough reviews. They will give you the knowledge needed to improve your network.