D-Link Wireless AC1000 DIR-820L WiFi router: Pros and Cons
The D-Link Wireless AC1000 DIR-820L (DIR-820L) router released in 2013. It is powered by Realtek RTL8197D @ 660 MHz chipset, 64 MB of RAM and 8 MB of flash. The AC1000 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with Wireless AC1000 DIR-820L is 300 + 650 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 Wireless AC1000 DIR-820L, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The Wireless AC1000 DIR-820L is a cheap router. It supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) for faster wireless speeds. 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 Wireless AC1000 DIR-820L specifications
| Brand | D-Link |
|---|---|
| Name | Wireless AC1000 DIR-820L |
| Type | DIR-820L |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2013 |
Body
| Dimensions | 111 x 93 x 145 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 291 g |
If you have limited space, like in a small apartment or office, the dimensions can determine if it can fit there. The weight of a router can matter in some situations. But, it is usually not as crucial as other factors. These factors include features and compatibility.
System
| Chipset | Realtek RTL8197D @ 660 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 64 MB |
| Flash | 8 MB |
| OS | D-Link |
| Power supply | 12 V / 2 A |
The Realtek RTL8197D @ 660 MHz CPU is key. It, along with factors like RAM and firmware, decides how well the router works. The amount of RAM in a router can affect its performance. It also affects its capacity to handle concurrent operations and traffic. The 8 MB flash memory in the router serves as the storage medium for the router's firmware. Upgrading router firmware has become simple and user-friendly. The D-Link provides the right power supply. It is 12 V / 2 A, this matches the router's voltage needs.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | no |
Like many modern routers, the Wireless AC1000 DIR-820L supports many network standards too. Most networking equipment, like routers and switches, supports IPv4. The Wireless AC1000 DIR-820L 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.
Wireless
| Antennas | 2 x 2 dBi internal |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC1000 |
| Speed | 300 + 650 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 19 dBm |
| Security | WPA WPA2 WPS |
| Guest network | yes |
The 2 x 2 dBi, 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. This router operates on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. It lets you connect devices to the best band for their needs. Wi-Fi 5 uses the 5 GHz band. It uses wider channels and advanced techniques to send data faster.
Real-world Wireless AC1000 DIR-820L 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). A USB print server adds print functionality. You can manage settings, watch queues, and control access from one place. The Wireless AC1000 DIR-820L router lets you schedule backups. You can back up to the connected USB storage device.
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 Wireless AC1000 DIR-820L 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
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- insufficient flash
- lack of Gigabit LAN
- Non-gigabit WAN port
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
D-Link Wireless AC1000 DIR-820L photos
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