For a router with so many advanced features, the DI-808HV is exceptionally easy to set up. The printed, 12-page quick-installation guide introduces you to the ports and connectors on the unit's rear panel and explains the functions of the status LEDs along the router's front panel. All of the DI-808HV's Ethernet ports are autosensing, which means that they automatically adjust to the type of Ethernet cable that you connect to the unit. This simplifies installation by letting you use standard, straight-through, Ethernet cables regardless of the type of device -- for example, a computer or a hub -- that you're connecting to the router.
The DI-808HV's illustrated and well-organised guide walks you through the steps of configuring the router for basic use. The first time you log in to the unit's browser-based configuration tool, you're directed to the router's setup wizard, which serves up a series of prompts that help you set the router's password, select your time zone, and configure the router for your Internet connection. Even if you're new to networking, the wizard takes only about five minutes to complete, and once you're finished, you can use the DI-808HV to share an Internet connection and other resources with all of the computers on your network.
The DI-808HV theoretically supports as many as 40 concurrent VPN tunnels, meaning that 40 people could connect to the VPN at one time. The unit supports both PPTP, or Point-to-Point Tunneling protocol, and IPSec, a.k.a. IP Security. Although there is no standard protocol for VPNs, PPTP and IPSec together cover most of the bases, making the DI-808HV broadly interoperable with many VPN client solutions. The DI-808HV also supports VPN pass-through, allowing you to bypass the router's integrated VPN server to connect to a separate corporate VPN server.
An application-sensing feature lets you configure the router to permit specified applications special access through the DI-808HV's firewall. Some applications, such as games and videoconferencing software are blocked by many firewalls, but you can configure the DI-808HV to open a tunnel for such apps, maintaining the integrity of the firewall while allowing the traffic you need for your application to pass through the router.
D-Link outfits the DI-808HV with an eight-port 10/100 Ethernet switch, which (unlike a hub) guarantees dedicated 100Mbps bandwidth on each of the seven LAN, or local-area network, ports. In contrast to a switch like this one, an Ethernet hub typically divides the total 100Mbps among all its ports. The WAN, or wide-area network, connector is also a 10/100 port, which in most cases is used to connect a router to a broadband modem. Ten Mbps is more than fast enough for most broadband connections, which is why many broadband routers include only a cheaper 10Mbps adapter for their WAN port. The 10/100 capability, however, helps future-proof the DI-808HV and leaves you well prepared for the time when broadband speeds outpace old-fashioned 10Mbps Ethernet.
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oakweb
11/05/2007, 08:19 PM
rating
6/10
I'm looking for a VPN router that allows for multiple connections. I have VPN service through www.strongvpn.com they are great but I want multiple connections on my network so need a router that supports it
Pros: n.a
Cons: n.a
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Indifferent
19/11/2006, 09:48 AM
rating
4/10
Difficult to set up for the novice. Those seasoned vpn vets should have no trouble. LOL @ frustrated user: Idle means its not established and isn't trying. An established l2tp link reports "IKE established" - and one currently trying is "establishing".
Pros: Cheap
Cons: Not for most people. painfully slow throughput.
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jimmy789
16/11/2006, 02:09 PM
rating
2/10
This router does not work for VPN. I have been trying for 3 months to set up VPN with D-Link. Non of the techs have every done themselfs!!! All they can verify is to Ping your computer, but they cannot, and don't know how, to connect to a remote computer.
Pros: Nice Router
Cons: No good for VPN!
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Chris
01/10/2006, 05:26 AM
rating
3/10
VPN impossible to set up with their documentation
I was given conflicting information with 3 different techs and when I asked if they had ever set one up was told no. They only knew how to set up the basic features. Was sent to tier 2 and they were no better. Struggled for 2 weeks to get a reliable tunnel. That sucks
Pros: Easy to set up WAN and LAN
Cons: No documentation that is worth anything with VPN. You will struggle for days getting it set up and no one in their support new how to set up a VPN (really). I was given conflicting information with 3 different techs and when I asked if they had ever set one up was told no.
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swarren7888
09/08/2006, 08:49 AM
rating
6/10
VPN setup is not present
Pros: simple to config
Cons: No setup for the VPN
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Frustrated User
08/08/2006, 10:13 AM
rating
2/10
Not good for site-to-site VPN
Pros: Decent solution for VERY simple configuration.
Cons: Awful for anything sophisitcated like site-to-site VPN. Although it supposedly supports this feature, the user interface and "documentation" are so sparse and confusing that it is hopeless to use. The log files are a joke offering no hope and any indication of the status of the tunnel. In fact, the "status" of the tunnel is ALWAYS idle regardless of whether it is disconnected or connected.
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newton
04/08/2006, 04:07 PM
rating
7/10
i think its great router !
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Stanley
27/02/2006, 05:50 PM
All about love
Thank you for being generous with your resources... I hope that you will receive more than you need for your time and energy. Keep at work!
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zardoz
06/06/2005, 01:00 PM
excellent router
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