D-Link DIR-817LW WiFi router: Pros and Cons
The D-Link DIR-817LW (DIR-817LW) router released in 2014. It is powered by Realtek RTL8881AQ chipset, 128 MB of RAM and 8 MB of flash. The AC750 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with DIR-817LW is 300 + 433 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100 Mbps WAN and 4 x 10/100 Mbps LAN ports.
Table of Contents
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 DIR-817LW, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The DIR-817LW is a powerful router. It is full of features and made for advanced networking. You can connect supported USB devices to the router. D-Link offers good customer support, including firmware updates, documentation, and technical assistance.
D-Link DIR-817LW specifications
| Brand | D-Link |
|---|---|
| Name | DIR-817LW |
| Type | DIR-817LW |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2014 |
Body
| Dimensions | 116 x 93 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 | Realtek RTL8881AQ |
|---|---|
| RAM | 128 MB |
| Flash | 8 MB |
| OS | D-Link |
| Power supply | 12 V / 1 A |
The D-Link DIR-817LW router has a Realtek RTL8881AQ 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 / 1 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 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | no |
The DIR-817LW 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. The WAN port on the DIR-817LW router is a Fast Ethernet port, not a Gigabit Ethernet.
Wireless
| Antennas | 3 x 2 dBi internal |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC750 |
| Speed | 300 + 433 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 24 dBm |
| Security | WPA WPA2 WPS |
| Guest network | yes |
This router has 3 x 2 dBi, internal antennas. Antennas are key parts of wireless routers. They send and receive radio signals to make wireless connections. The 2.4 GHz band is widely supported by many devices. This includes older ones that may not work with the 5 GHz band. The 5 GHz band offers better noise immunity and less interference. It also has more available channels. The AC Wi-Fi router is backward compatible with older Wi-Fi devices that support 802.11a/b/g/n standards.
Real-world DIR-817LW 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 | no |
| File server | yes |
The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). 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 DIR-817LW 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
- works on 5 GHz band
- WPS friendly
- USB 2 compatible
- fileserver operation
Cons
- insufficient flash
- lack of Gigabit LAN
- Non-gigabit WAN port
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
D-Link DIR-817LW photos
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