D-Link DIR-860L router review
D-Link introduced the DIR-860L router in 2013. It is powered by Broadcom BCM47081A0 @ 800 MHz chipset, 128 MB of RAM, and 128 MB of flash memory.
Want to know if the D-Link made a really good router? Read on!
Table of Contents
- D-Link DIR-860L specifications
- Body, dimensions, weight
- System, chipset, RAM, flash, power supply
- Network, protocols, WAN and LAN ports
- Wireless, antennas, speed, security
- Connectivity
- Administration, user interface, login information
- Links
- Verdict, Pros and Cons
- Photos
- Comparisons
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. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the D-Link DIR-860L, please let us know.
The DIR-860L is a popular router model from D-Link, and many users have given it positive reviews. D-Link routers are well-liked because of their user-friendly design.
D-Link DIR-860L specifications
| Brand | D-Link |
|---|---|
| Name | DIR-860L |
| Type | DIR-860L |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2013 |
Body
| Dimensions | 119 x 99 x 191.5 m |
|---|---|
| Weight | 350 g |
The dimensions of a router can impact its cooling capabilities. Larger routers have more room for internal cooling. The weight of the router is not typically a critical factor for most setups.
System
| Chipset | Broadcom BCM47081A0 @ 800 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 128 MB |
| Flash | 128 MB |
| OS | D-Link |
| Alternative OS | OpenWRT DD-WRT |
| Power supply | 12 V / 2 A |
The D-Link DIR-860L router has a Broadcom BCM47081A0 @ 800 MHz processor. You cannot expand the router's memory (128 MB). When selecting a router, it's essential to think about the RAM specifications. OpenWrt offers many features and capabilities. They extend the functionality of networking hardware.
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 latest firmware supports IPv6. It provides a system to identify and locate computers on networks. The router has Gigabit Ethernet ports. They allow for faster communication between devices on your local network. A Gigabit WAN port is useful when your internet plan supports high speeds.
Wireless
| Antennas | 4 x 2 dBi internal |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC1200 |
| Speed | 300 + 867 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 17 dBm |
| Security | WPA WPA2 WPS |
| Guest network | yes |
Many IoT devices, smart home devices, and older Wi-Fi devices mainly use the 2.4 GHz band. The 5 GHz band is less crowded, and the DIR-860L router is 5 GHz capable. This AC Wi-Fi router supports multiple spatial streams, typically up to 4 streams. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security. The Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join a safe wireless network with the push of a button or a simple PIN entry.
Connectivity
| USB ports | 1 x USB 3.0 |
|---|---|
| Print server | yes |
| File server | yes |
The USB 3 ports provide a fast interface for external storage with data transfer rates of up to 4.8 Gbps. USB print servers let you connect a USB printer to your network. 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 | [on the label] |
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.
Links
| Official site | https://www.dlink.com/ |
|---|
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. Just remember, this is just what I think, and you might see things differently.
Pros
- lightweight
- sufficient memory
- adequate flash
- OpenWrt compatible
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- works on 5 GHz band
- WPS friendly
- USB 3 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
D-Link DIR-860L photos
D-Link DIR-860L comparisons
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Updated: May 25, 2024
