D-Link DIR-655 vs. Airport Extreme Base Station

[pigoo3]

Ok...I hate to ask this question...since I know that whenever a "preference" type question like this is posted...it almost always end up with 50% of responders saying they like the one choice, and 50% prefer the 2nd choice. But I'm sort of in a "fog" about which one is better overall. So maybe when folks respond that have direct experience with one or both products (not just read somewhere that one is better than the other)...they could also list the Pros & Cons for either device that helped them decide.

Currently my wireless router seems to be on it's last legs. At least 2-3 times/day it "freezes up" and I lose the wireless signal. I then have to:

- go down to my basement
- unplug it
- wait 10-15 seconds
- plug it back in
- then back up the stairs

I know that it's my wireless router (since unplugging it & plugging it back in always fixes the problem)...and because it's not:

- my computer since all computers on the network lose the wireless signal at the same time.
- not my cable modem since I don't lose cable TV service, and because I have VOIP...and the phone always works.

So here's the deal. I'm trying to decide between the D-Link DIR-655 wireless router...and the Apple Airport Extreme Base Station.

Pro's & Con's that I'm aware of:

DIR-655:

Pro's: good reviews...many knowledgeable Mac-Forums members recommend this wireless router.

Con's: I'm not aware of any.

Apple Airport Extreme Base Station:

Pro's:
- Easy Setup with Apple computers.
- Dual band (2.4 & 5.0 ghz).

Con's:
- Costs more than 2x the price of the DIR-655.

With that said...what are peoples choices & why (pro's & con's)? To make simple...please disregard the cost difference...I would rather decide based on the features...and pay the extra $$$ for the Apple router if it truly is superior.

Thanks a ton,

- Nick

 

[dtravis7]

I am sure others will chime in both ways but here is my take.

I could have purchased the AE but bought the Dlink DIR-655. I will not pay $180 for a router with a so called Firewall with not even Stateful Packet Inspection. The AE just has NAT (Network Address Translation). People argue this over and over but go to any real site that knows what a real firewall is.

Also the AE has one less RJ45 port. You have to configure it with software installed on the computers OS. I much prefer a router I can configure just with a Web Browser.

What got me to try the Dlink Dir-655 was a recommendation both by Bobtomay and CWA. They own the 655 and have used it for ages without one issue or reset. That told me a lot right there as I have the greatest respect for both of them. Well I have had my DIR-655 for several months (Got an open box one from Amazon for a lot lower price). I don't regret it in any way. Not one issue so far.

The only other router I have owned so far that has been this stable is the older WRT54GL Linksys with Linux Firmware. It was getting old and only G and no Gigabit ports. Still works great but I had to make the change.

The Airport Extreme is a great overall router with good range, but for the above reasons, I chose the Dlink.

 

[pigoo3]

I could have purchased the AE but bought the Dlink DIR-655. I will not pay $180 for a router with a so called Firewall with not even Stateful Packet Inspection. The AE just has NAT (Network Address Translation). People argue this over and over but go to any real site that knows what a real firewall is.

Also the AE has one less RJ45 port. You have to configure it with software installed on the computers OS. I much prefer a router I can configure just with a Web Browser.

What got me to try the Dlink Dir-655 was a recommendation both by Bobtomay and CWA.

Some VERY important points indeed!! Network security & router stability although not very "sexy" parameters...they are very important!

One other thing I didn't mention about the AE Base Station is...since it's dual band (if I understand things correctly)...you basically have two networks...the 2.4ghz & the 5.0ghz network. Where wireless "g" devices would use the 2.4ghz, and wireless "n" devices would use the 5.0ghz band.

With single band routers (again if I understand things correctly)...if you have a mixed network (both "g" & "n" devices)...the "n" compatible single band wireless router defaults to the slower speeds of wireless "g". In my home, I could see both "g" & "n" devices working at the same time.

But again...I probably wouldn't sacrifice network security & router stability of the DIR-655...for the dual-band possibilities of the AE base station.

- Nick

p.s. Yes and like you mentioned...the DIR-655 comes with some great recommendations from some very knowledgeable Mac-forums folks.

 

[dtravis7]

Just a quick note, there is a Dual Band Dlink. I did not need it so did not bother and also a lot of the reviews I read left me wondering if it was as stable as the DIR-655. Forget the model but I am sure you can find it.

 

[pigoo3]

Just a quick note, there is a Dual Band Dlink. I did not need it so did not bother and also a lot of the reviews I read left me wondering if it was as stable as the DIR-655. Forget the model but I am sure you can find it.

I think that it's the DIR-855. I hadn't really considered it (since it's new & doesn't have the great recommendations from Mac-Forums members)...and it is still probably less expensive than the AE Base Station.

Thanks a bunch for mentioning/reminding me of the newer D-Link dual band router...I would have been upset with myself if I hadn't at least reviewed it before buying!

- Nick

 

[MYmacROX]

I have the DIR-628 and it is dual band. Works great, never an issue.
Wireless connected iPod Touch, iPad, MBP, Wii.

 

[bobtomay]

I have both the 655 and an AE sitting in my TC. Think cwa, Kash and I bought the 655 about the same time - all on our own individual research and think it was the top of the line D-Link almost 4 yrs ago now. Am pretty sure the TC is about 3 yrs old.

The TC was purchased only because I needed another external drive and Apple kept fixing and then breaking the drivers for the airport in my MBP with each update to the OS they made (for about a year and a half), resulting in random kernel panics. So, decided I'd try one of their own routers to see if their drivers would at least work with their own hardware. They did.. And Apple finally got the driver fixed for good around 10.5.4.

As for the 2 routers themselves, like dtravis, I like having both SPI and NAT. I also like a setup I've been at least semi-familiar with for the last 15 yrs and having a browser based set up for the router. Only being able to make changes to a router with an app that may need to be downloaded first in some situations, just doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

On the wi-fi side of it, unbelievably to me, the TC without an external antenna gives about the same range as the D-Link and it's 3 antennas. They're located at opposite ends of the house, so I can easily move between them as I move around. If I go outside about equa-distant from either, the D-Link is typically the network that I'm using - especially if I'm streaming video while sitting out.

I really don't have anything negative to say about the TC as a router goes since it sits behind the D-Link and the 655 does all the DHCP work in the house, which is up to about a dozen devices here. I will say, if one of them were to die today, I'll be looking for a new D-Link, not an AE.

Think today, because I do have multiple devices on the same wifi network, I might look hard at the 825 which is their dual band router. I'm not too sure that you're thinking about how dual band works is correct though... e.g. using one band for g and the other for n on a combo network... Just have not done enough research to know.

 

[IvanLasston]

I don't have a D-Link - I have a netgear but the setup is similar to Bob's. I have a TC because I wanted NAS and I ended up using it as my wireless network as well. I have several airport expresses sprinkled around the house for airtunes/airfoil use as well as increasing coverage. (I really didn't need the coverage as the TC covered the house fairly well, it was just an added bonus.)

So I am agreeing with everyone else in this thread - The TC is nice and works well with the Expresses, and for a NAS/Gigabit switch/USB to ethernet converter it is pretty well priced. That being said I have the Netgear because of SPI and Dynamic DNS.

I believe the dual band works as Nick states - that is I have a network myhomenetwork and if I am near the TC the 802.11n devices connect at 5GHz. I can see this with istumblr as well as on Airport Utility. The fast Airports connect to a channel in the 5GHz range and at a higher rate. You can actually force the 5GHz to it's own SSID so you know for a fact you are connecting to it.

Anyway I wouldn't run an AE or TC standalone because I want SPI and Dynamic DNS.

Actually - I digress - I wouldn't run an AE or TC standalone - but I have recommended it to friends for simplicity's sake. I have one friend running an AE with a USB disk for backup and it is working great. Haven't had any DOS attacks that I know of either.

 

[dtravis7]

Just a note to add to Ivan's excellent post. The Dlink DIR-655 also has Dynamic DNS. Just saying as a note to the OP.

Ivan, how do you like your Netgear? What model is it?

 

[schweb]

I've mostly always use Airport Extremes and have been very happy with them. Totally trouble free, great reception, and super easy to manage.

I really like the latest generation with dual radios allowing me to keep faster N traffic on one band and slower traffic on another, all while on the same network.

I use it with a few Macs, Wii, TV, some iPhones, and an Apple TV...oh and my WiFi printer. Handles them all fine.

And for me, it looks nice, which is important if it's going to be somewhere it will be seen on a regular basis, but that's a personal preference.

 

[IvanLasston]

Sorry guys I managed to edit the post and didn't see your follow ons. As schweb said - the Airport Extreme has been easy to use and manage for my friend. Plus I can walk her through stuff with the Airport Utility. For the unexperienced it presents a pretty easy way to configure your network. Admittedly if you have a Windows machine you'll have to load a piece of software from the CD-ROM to get it to work but I think that is easy enough. If you have a Mac, Airport Utility is already loaded.

I have an older Netgear the WNR3500
Amazon.com: Netgear WNR3500 RangeMax Wireless N Router: Electronics
I turned the wireless off on it since I am using the Apple WDS network on my TC. Even so it handles the NAT/DHCP/Dyndns/port forwarding on my network. I like Netgear and their stuff. I have some of their powerline products as well. The only reason I switched over to the Apple wireless was because I wanted a WDS that did music - it was the simplest/cheapest/most versatile solution for the hardware/software I already owned. (That is a lot of itunes music and ipods)

 

[pigoo3]

Thanks a lot folks for the help. Some great info for both devices...so I still have to weigh the Pros & Cons.

Thanks again,

- Nick

 

[cwa107]

Just a few random thoughts on this...

First and foremost, get that thing out of the basement. That is the absolute worst placement for it. You will definitely benefit in terms of transfer rates and signal strength. A lot of people like to keep it near the modem, but if you can run Ethernet up to the first or second floor, there's no need to have it down there.

The thing that bugs me on the AE is what turns a lot of people onto it - I don't like the proprietary software package and would prefer to configure it via web browser (and as an added benefit, I can do that from any OS, including my iPod Touch). From what I've seen of the AE software, it's also pretty limited in terms of configuration. The DIR-655 on the other hand is highly configurable and the firmware is updated, and often with new features.

On the 5GHz vs. 2.4GHz. This one I'm tossed up on. If you need to segregate your network into two pieces, it might be beneficial. But keep in mind, the higher up in the spectrum you go, the less range you get. So, if you've got some video streaming to do with a set top box that it's relatively close to, it might be useful.

Also keep in mind that not all DIR-series routers are created equal. Some have different wireless chipsets that are inferior to others.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. I am pleased with my DIR-655 - never had a lick of trouble with it and the range is outstanding. I've since bought other D-Link products and have been pleased with them as well.

 

[pigoo3]

First and foremost, get that thing out of the basement. That is the absolute worst placement for it. You will definitely benefit in terms of transfer rates and signal strength. A lot of people like to keep it near the modem, but if you can run Ethernet up to the first or second floor, there's no need to have it down there.

Yeah...I hear what you're saying. To optimize performance, getting the router out of the basement is probably a good general rule. From a bandwidth & wireless signal strength standpoints...I don't really have any issues. I always get full airport signal strength where I use my computers on the 1st floor. My main issue at the moment is my old router seems to slowly dying...since it drops signal 2-3 times/day...then I have to unplug it & plug it back in to get it to work again.

The thing that bugs me on the AE is what turns a lot of people onto it - I don't like the proprietary software package and would prefer to configure it via web browser (and as an added benefit, I can do that from any OS, including my iPod Touch). From what I've seen of the AE software, it's also pretty limited in terms of configuration. The DIR-655 on the other hand is highly configurable and the firmware is updated, and often with new features.

One one hand I would like to have an Apple router:

- Apple makes configuring it very simple
- more compatible with Apple computers & other Apple hardware (I can't remember the last time a DVD included with a non-Apple networking product worked with a Mac).
- I would like to take advantage of the wireless printing ability of the Apple Extreme Base Station. I've tried using other wireless printing products...but they never include setup instructions for Macintosh's...and of course the included DVD/CD doesn't include anything for Mac's in terms of setup. Manufacturer websites are not much help for Macintosh setup...so then it's down to a lot of trial & error on my part trying to get things to work...and then I usually just end up with a headache...and the device not working!

On the other hand...having the "traditional" router setup via a web browser is something I'm more familiar with, and may be more compatible with the "Windows" computers in my home.

On the 5GHz vs. 2.4GHz. This one I'm tossed up on. If you need to segregate your network into two pieces, it might be beneficial.

I think that I mostly want the dual band for the "geekiness" of it...but also if it helps to somehow "future-proof" the router that would be great as well. And sometimes I'm using older Mac's on my home network with wireless "b" Airport...while at the same time someone else may be using a wireless "n" device.

I've known for a while now (over a year)...that a lot of the knowledgeable folks here on Mac-Forums have a DIR-655 & recommend it (call it a long-term test drive recommendation)...plus I believe that "dtravis7" made some great points earlier about the DIR-655 having stronger network security vs. the Apple product...and the DIR-655 was very stable.

And since there doesn't seem to be any outstanding features of the AE Base Station to justify it's higher price ($179 for a new one)...paying somewhere around $59 for refurbished or $79 new for a DIR-655 has a strong "attraction" as well!

I think that I am leaning towards getting the DIR-655. Thanks for your thought's CWA!

- Nick

 

[dtravis7]

Also don't forget the hardware firewall. NAT and Packet Filtering is no where near as secure as a good SPI Firewall. From all my reading I have read that not all SPI firewalls are created equally. So I compared my WRT54GL to the DIR-655. The firewall in the Dlink is catching and blocking packets the Linksys is letting through. I have compared the Dlink to many other routers in that way including some $500 hardware firewalls (Yes I own two quite expensive Hardware Firewall Appliances) and I am amazed just how much the Dlinks Firewall catches and never makes it to my LAN.

Bob and Ivan are using another router before the AE to get the benefits of the better firewall and using the AE for the Wireless part. Like Bob pointed out though, he gets equal signal strength from both the Dlink and AE, so from a WiFi point of view, they are both outstanding.

Do let us know what you finally decide on.

Since I had a Great Wireless G router with the Linux based WRT54GL, I was in no hurry and did a lot of reading and asking around. Bob and CWA and others here were sort of my test bed so to speak as they kept coming back praising the Dlink after a long time of use. That impressed me also.

 

[cwa107]

- Apple makes configuring it very simple
- more compatible with Apple computers & other Apple hardware (I can't remember the last time a DVD included with a non-Apple networking product worked with a Mac).

Ah, see - the DVD is the first thing I throw out I've configured a few dozen of these things and on the rare occasion I've tried one, I've found that they mostly suck (and that's the Windows version).

Keep in mind that compatibility is a non-issue, aside from the DVD. 802.11 is 802.11.

- I would like to take advantage of the wireless printing ability of the Apple Extreme Base Station. I've tried using other wireless printing products...but they never include setup instructions for Macintosh's...

That is a big plus for the AE. I don't know what Apple's special magic is, but they seem to work around a lot of the criticisms that I have with their port management with the software for the AE. So, if that's on the list of important things, go for it. Of course, nowadays most printers have a built in wireless print server, so it's mostly a moot point.

I think that I mostly want the dual band for the "geekiness" of it...but also if it helps to somehow "future-proof" the router that would be great as well. And sometimes I'm using older Mac's on my home network with wireless "b" Airport...while at the same time someone else may be using a wireless "n" device.

I still say it's of limited usefulness. 2.4GHz remains the frequency of choice for wireless devices for a lot of reasons, mostly due to ideal range and permeability of signal. Then again, you're also going to fight for signal with a lot of other devices.

I've known for a while now (over a year)...that a lot of the knowledgeable folks here on Mac-Forums have a DIR-655 & recommend it (call it a long-term test drive recommendation)...plus I believe that "dtravis7" made some great points earlier about the DIR-655 having stronger network security vs. the Apple product...and the DIR-655 was very stable.

Stateful Packet Inspection, along with a lot of the other advanced configuration options in the '655, give it a ton of flexibility and future-proof it. But to be quite honest, unless you're doing port forwarding, I don't see it being a huge deal for the average user.

And since there doesn't seem to be any outstanding features of the AE Base Station to justify it's higher price ($179 for a new one)...paying somewhere around $59 for refurbished or $79 new for a DIR-655 has a strong "attraction" as well!

I do believe that you get what you pay for with a lot of Apple products. At one time, that print/NAS capability alone was a pretty good bargain. But nowadays, it's not quite the bargain it once was. As these features have become somewhat ubiquitous, I really think Apple needs to either add features (a fourth Ethernet port would be great!) or drop the price a bit. The DIR-655 was $150 back in the day, it now runs significantly less than $100. I think Apple needs to follow suit.

I think that I am leaning towards getting the DIR-655. Thanks for your thought's CWA!

- Nick

You know me... hard to keep me quiet on topics like these

 

[dtravis7]

CWA, have you tried the printer/Hard Drive sharing on the 655? I had to install this server app and it seems to work quite well with my Macs at least both with a hard drive or a printer connected to the USB port. Only thing that bugs me is needing that server app.

 

[schweb]

First and foremost, get that thing out of the basement. That is the absolute worst placement for it. You will definitely benefit in terms of transfer rates and signal strength. A lot of people like to keep it near the modem, but if you can run Ethernet up to the first or second floor, there's no need to have it down there.

I actually have my AE in the basement and I get great signal through out the house all the way up to the second floor where my office is, but I do agree, that a lot of that will depend on home construction and house size.

I think for most people the basement is probably bad, but you can always check different locations around your home to see what works best. I like keeping all my networking stuff in the basement out of sight so it works for me, but your mileage may vary.

The thing that bugs me on the AE is what turns a lot of people onto it - I don't like the proprietary software package and would prefer to configure it via web browser (and as an added benefit, I can do that from any OS, including my iPod Touch). From what I've seen of the AE software, it's also pretty limited in terms of configuration. The DIR-655 on the other hand is highly configurable and the firmware is updated, and often with new features.

I think you're right on there. Personally I love my AE because it is easy and stable. For me, a router should be "set it and forget it". I don't want to have to tinker with it, I don't want to have to constantly be updating firmware. I just want it to work and do its job well so it's seamless to me, just like my Mac.

I think for the normal home user, an AE is more than enough from a configuration standpoint. As a matter of fact, it even does an outstanding job of routing traffic without even needing to map ports. In all my years of using it, I've never had to do that for any application I've ever used with an AE, but I have had to do it with Linksys routers (not sure how the Dlink ones are with that).

I also like the dual radio and the ability to setup a separate "guest" network so I can let visitors on my WiFi without giving them access to my network.

Apple has a great guide on setting up networks with AE:
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/Apple_AirPort_Networks_Early2009.pdf

On the other hand...having the "traditional" router setup via a web browser is something I'm more familiar with, and may be more compatible with the "Windows" computers in my home.

FWIW, Apple has Airport software for Windows so you can also configure it form there. It's not as universal as having a browser based admin, but honestly, at least for me, it doesn't matter because I'm rarely in there doing anything. So it would depend on how much you plan to tweak and configure your network on an ongoing basis.

I think both routers are probably a good choice, so you can't go wrong.

 

[cwa107]

CWA, have you tried the printer/Hard Drive sharing on the 655? I had to install this server app and it seems to work quite well with my Macs at least both with a hard drive or a printer connected to the USB port. Only thing that bugs me is needing that server app.

Never bothered with it since I have a NAS and both my printers are network capable out of the box (Photosmart C6350 and LaserJet 1300n).

Also, the NAS is wall-mounted, so it's hard to run a USB cable that long. I've often thought of trying to share a flash drive off of it, but there would be little point since I've already got 500GB of NAS storage.

 

[dtravis7]

Never bothered with it since I have a NAS and both my printers are network capable out of the box (Photosmart C6350 and LaserJet 1300n).

Also, the NAS is wall-mounted, so it's hard to run a USB cable that long. I've often thought of trying to share a flash drive off of it, but there would be little point since I've already got 500GB of NAS storage.

I really just tried it for the fun of it. I have a Dlink USB print server that has never let me down and I use that. I did try a flash drive and it worked. Like you said though even a 16GB flash drive is pretty small.