D-Link EXO AC1900 router review
The D-Link EXO AC1900 (DIR-879) router released in 2015. It is powered by Realtek RTL8198CS @ 1 GHz chipset, 128 MB of RAM and 128 MB of flash. The AC1900 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with EXO AC1900 is 600 + 1300 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps WAN and 4 x 10/100/1000 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 EXO AC1900, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The EXO AC1900 is a powerful router. It is full of features and made for advanced networking. D-Link offers good customer support, including firmware updates, documentation, and technical assistance.
D-Link EXO AC1900 specifications
| Brand | D-Link |
|---|---|
| Name | EXO AC1900 |
| Type | DIR-879 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2015 |
Body
| Dimensions | 219.67 x 199.45 x 73.55 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 540 g |
If you plan to move or travel a lot and need to take your router with you, the size is important. It needs to be small to be easy to carry. If you purchase a router online or have it shipped, the weight may affect the overall cost.
System
| Chipset | Realtek RTL8198CS @ 1 GHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 128 MB |
| Flash | 128 MB |
| OS | D-Link |
| Power supply | 12 V / 2 A |
The Realtek RTL8198CS @ 1 GHz CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the EXO AC1900 router. 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. The firmware upgrade process may vary depending on the router model. However, it often involves accessing the router's web-based administration interface. The D-Link packages the EXO AC1900 router with 12 V / 2 A PSU.
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 EXO AC1900 router has built-in security features. They protect your network and devices. The IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, represented as four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g. 192.168.0.1). The router also supports IPv6. This allows you to use the latest Internet Protocol. 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 | 4 x 5 dBi MHF-I |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC1900 |
| Speed | 600 + 1300 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 20 dBm |
| Security | WPA WPA2 WPS |
| Guest network | yes |
A well-positioned antenna can reduce interference and signal weakening. This leads to a more reliable connection. Many IoT devices, smart home devices, and older Wi-Fi devices mainly use the 2.4 GHz band. Using the 5 GHz band can move some devices from the crowded 2.4 GHz band. This cuts congestion and boosts the network. The AC Wi-Fi router is backward compatible with older Wi-Fi devices that support 802.11a/b/g/n standards.
Real-world EXO AC1900 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 | no |
|---|---|
| Print server | no |
| File server | no |
The EXO AC1900 router doesn't have file-server or print-server functionality.
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 EXO AC1900 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
- sufficient memory
- adequate flash
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- works on 5 GHz band
- decent Wi-Fi performance
- WPS friendly
Cons
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
- no USB connectivity
D-Link EXO AC1900 photos
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