D-Link's DIR-855L/R MU-MIMO Router Available
D-Link marks its entry into the burgeoning MU-MIMO router market with the DIR-885L/R, its new AC3150 Ultra Wi-Fi Router. The DIR-885L/R is the second product added to D-Link’s Ultra line of high performance routers, and it looks similar to its older brother, the DIR-890L/R. There are more differences between the two under the hood, however.
Multi-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (or MU-MIMO) technology is expected to replace traditional, Single-User MIMO routers found in most environments today. Single-user MIMO devices operate by servicing one client at a time. When dealing with devices such as smartphones, tablets, or devices that otherwise aren’t demanding, the round-robin service provided through single-user MIMO is largely unnoticeable, but data-intensive applications such as streaming HD content or online gaming can cripple network performance, especially when multiple devices are using the network. MU-MIMO routers address this by interacting with multiple MU-MIMO capable devices simultaneously, eliminating the downtime present in the traditional, round-robin approach.
The new D-Link 885L/R AC3150 Ultra Wi-Fi router is a dual-band router with MU-MIMO technology. It has a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor, 4x4 data streams, four high-powered antennas, and amplifiers and beamforming technology for extended and stable connections. Additionally, Smart Connect allows the DIR-885L/R to choose the clearest band available when connecting wireless devices.
On the DIR-885L/R’s rear I/O, there is a router/extender switch, reset button, WPS button, a USB 3.0 port, four gigabit Lan ports, one WAN port, a power switch, and a power jack. The DIR-885L/R is compliant with 802.11ac/n/g/a protocols and possesses Intelligent QoS, which allows users to differentiate and prioritize network traffic.
Remember, the D-Link DIR-885L/R is a dual-band router, whereas its older brother, the DIR-890L/R, is tri-band. Both offer close to AC3200 "speeds," but in these terms, "speed" is an aggregate measure of each band’s actual maximum speed. The DIR-890L/R’s AC3200 speed is determined by the 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 1300 Mbps on both 5 GHz bands. The DIR-885L/R, however, offers an impressive 1000 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 2167 Mbps on 5 GHz, reaching just over 3150 Mbps. The DIR-885L/R’s 5 GHz band should easily handle multiple data intensive applications simultaneously.
The D-Link DIR-885L/R AC3150 Dual-Band Router is currently available at select retailers and e-tailers at an MSRP of $279.99.
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
Tom's Hardware is the leading destination for hardcore computer enthusiasts. We cover everything from processors to 3D printers, single-board computers, SSDs and high-end gaming rigs, empowering readers to make the most of the tech they love, keep up on the latest developments and buy the right gear. Our staff has more than 100 years of combined experience covering news, solving tech problems and reviewing components and systems.
-
getochkn What I want in a router is the ability to run a VPN client on the router with decent speeds. Most routers can't handle VPN traffic over 30-40mb/s, and home bandwidth can be a lot more than that. I have a 120mb/s connection and running a VPN client on my PC, I get 118mb/s or so, almost no loss. Run it on my router though and I only get $30 and this is a Asus RT-AC68U, a fairly new router. I'd like to have my whole network VPN'd, but that's not an option with any consumer router's it seems.Reply -
ammaross Reply17128057 said:What I want in a router is the ability to run a VPN client on the router with decent speeds. Most routers can't handle VPN traffic over 30-40mb/s, and home bandwidth can be a lot more than that. I have a 120mb/s connection and running a VPN client on my PC, I get 118mb/s or so, almost no loss. Run it on my router though and I only get $30 and this is a Asus RT-AC68U, a fairly new router. I'd like to have my whole network VPN'd, but that's not an option with any consumer router's it seems.
If it's a whole-network VPN you're looking for, you want a firewall device, not some consumer home router. Horses for courses.