14 DAY TRIAL // Wireless specialist D-Link has just announced its Quadband DIR-855 Wireless N Router, that is capable of separating network traffic by application. The router can support simultaneous 802.11n transmission over both 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio, in order to deliver up to 600 Mbps of bandwidth for multiple wireless devices.
Usually, regular wireless routers cannot face the huge network traffic generated by continuous high-definition media-streaming or life-like online games, because the router cannot offer the necessary bandwidth.
The new offering from D-Link comes with the company's StreamEngine Quality of Service (QoS) technology that prioritizes high-bandwidth data traffic that is more sensitive to latency, such as high-definition video streaming or voice-over-IP telephony.
"D-Link is addressing this emerging digital home market with the introduction of the DIR-855, which simultaneously uses two radio bands for optimised home media networking. The new quadband design along with the latest advances in the 802.11n wireless standard, helps us bring to market a very advanced router capable of handling the most bandwidth-intensive applications whilst promoting good neighbourhood policy and avoiding further congestion," said Kevin Wen, President of D-Link Europe.
The DIR-855 Wireless N Router can work on both 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies, which makes it future-proof. The 5GHz frequency is much wider and can accommodate more distinct networks then the already-clogged and full of interference 2.4 GHz band.
The 5GHz spectrum can offer 23 non-overlapping channels, while the 2.4 GHz band can only carry three such channels. The main problem in using the 5 GHz spectrum is the limited availability of client devices to connect to the 5GHz access points and routers, given the fact that it lacks widespread implementation in laptops or mainstream wireless cards.
However, the wireless router from D-Link ships with wireless USB adapter that is capable of working with both 2.4 and 5 GHz links, thanks to the built-in duo technology. This allows the user to segregate the wireless network data traffic according to the application that generates it. While checking the mail and casual web-surfing can do just fine with the 2.4 GHz spectrum, the router will direct the VoIP or Media-Streaming applications to the 5GHz band. The Quadband router can also work with older 802.11 standards, such as the a, b or g specifications.
The security options are also well covered, as the router comes with Dual Active Firewalls (SPI, NAT) Technology, to block malicious attacks coming from the Internet. The router features three external antennae that gives excellent coverage as well as an OLED-based network activity display.