By Ki Grinsing

Overview

Since the ratification of draft 802.11n, all the wireless manufacturers have begun to introduce new lines of wireless products by adopting the final version of 802.11n. Many of them redesign the existing known products by labeling the same product name but different version number. For example, Netgear introduces new version of DGND3300 wireless router with ADSL modem by adopting the ratified version of 802.11n – eliminating the ‘draft’ on the Wi-Fi Certified logo. But many manufacturers begin to discontinue the ‘draft’ products and introduce new product names based on the ratified version 802.11n.

DIR-632 replacing DIR-625

Dir-625 D-Link wireless Rangebooster N router was marked as discontinued product per 1 September 2010. D-Link does not introduce the replacement product specifically for this discontinued one. But D-Link introduces some new wireless routers including DIR-632, DIR-815, and DIR-665. I will focus on DIR-632 which looks like replacement product for DIR-625.

More Ethernet ports

The apparent physical difference between the DIR-625 and DIR-632 is on the number of Ethernet ports. Unlike other wireless routers which are generally embedded with 4 Ethernet ports, DIR-632 wireless n router is embedded with 8x 10/100Mbps Ethernet ports. Embedding 8X Ethernet ports for wireless routers is not common. For home networks, eight Ethernet ports is too much and more than enough. But for SOHO, the 8X Ethernet ports is beneficial since you can connect up to eight Ethernet enabled devices such as computers, network printer, or other wireless access points for larger wireless network. Learn more detail Dir-632 spec manufacturer.

Based of final version 802.11n

The DIR-632 is powered by the ratified version of 802.11n and is backward compatible with wireless g devices. All the new D-Link wireless N routers use intelligent antenna technology by transmitting multiple streams of data to the farther areas. DIR-632 includes the basic Quality of Service (QoS) prioritization engine to analyze and separate multiple data streams based on sensitivity to delay. With this QoS technology, you can experience smooth gaming and VoIP calling across the network.

USB with Shareport

The DIR-632 includes one USB port. You can utilize the port for storing the WCN (Windows Connect Now) configuration to the flash disk. Or you can also configure the USB port for sharing the USB printer across the network, or you can attack an external USB Storage for network sharing. You cannot use both printer and the storage at the same time, because there is only one USB port.

Should you need a network environment to support the share printer and share storage, you can consider a wireless router with two embedded USB ports such as TEW-673GRU. TEW-673GRU is an all-in-one solution for wireless router, storage, and print server. Actually you have some options for the routers that include two USB ports such as new generation of Asus routers including Asus RT-N56U and RT-66U. You may also consider the new Netgear WNDR4500 or Belkin N900 DB. All of these routers are embedded two USB ports for share printer and storage.

Security Features

Like other D-Link wireless routers, DIR-632 supports the NAT and SPI firewall feature to protect your network against any types of Internet threats such as hackers and malware (malicious software). Wireless connection security is powered by the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2). You can easily connect the client computers by using both WCN and WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) push button for connecting WPS enabled devices. Parental control feature helps you supervise the internet usage for your kids by allowing appropriate sites only.

Connection Diagram

The figure below shows a home wireless network diagram using the DIR-632 wireless n router. Connect the WAN port of the router to the Ethernet port of the modem (Cable or ADSL). You can configure the printer connected to the USB port for sharing across the network. With your game console, you can add a wireless gaming adapter to allow you play online games at the comfort of your living room without the clutter of the wires.

Even though the number of the Ethernet ports is more than enough for home usage, the price is competitive compared to other home wireless routers. If your networking environment in home requires more than 4 Ethernet ports (mostly home wireless routers include 4-ports Switch), then this DIR-632 is your best router.

By Ki Grinsing