D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit Router

Model: DIR-655
Price: $180
Pros: New looks, excellent performance, Gigabit Ethernet.
Cons: No WPS support on the client (yet), minor setup glitches.

Last fall, I reviewed the top-of-the-line D-Link RangeBooster N 650 router. I loved all of the configuration options, the configurable QoS engine, and the extensive list of preconfigured applications in the port forwarding setup. My unfulfilled wish was for Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. The new top-of-the line Xtreme N Gigabit router (model DIR-655) fulfills that wish, and adds a few other new features as well. Since the DIR-655 has an essentially identical menu system and features to those of the RangeBooster N 650, I’ll just review the new features.

First, and probably most noticeably, D-Link has given the DIR-655 a fresh new look. The DIR-655 has a white case and a black trim band that wraps around the case. Even the three antennas are white. Though the case tooling is almost identical to the tooling used on the RangeBooster N650, D-Link chose a glossy finish for the DIR-655 rather than the matted finish found on its predecessor. Whether or not this is a nod to Apple’s color scheme, the new case color is a welcome change from D-Link’s traditional color schemes.

Setup and Configuration

As with other D-Link routers, the DIR-655 arrives with a piece of yellow tape across the four LAN ports that instructs you to run the CD first. The CD has a step-by-step wizard that walks you through the basic configuration. It asks whether you are replacing an existing router or installing the router as a new device. The wizard then branches to animated instructions that tell you how and where to plug in the cables, and when to unplug and power up the cable/DSL modem and the router.

DIR-655 Setup Wizard

D-Link recommends installing the trial version of Network Magic to facilitate setting up your home network.

The setup wizard asks if you are replacing an existing router.

Step-by-step animated directions walk you through re-wiring your computer and modem. The Internet and LAN ports are clearly labeled, and are color-coded to match the step-by-step instructions.

When I finished the fifth step and clicked on “Next,” I got an error saying that the setup wizard didn’t detect a supported D-Link router. This looks like a minor QA glitch that I’m sure that D-Link will fix. For my setup, however, it didn’t matter. By the time I received this error, my connection to the Internet was established and the router was working properly. I did, however, have to manually configure the wireless settings.

Incorrect Router?