D-Link is certainly prolific with their releases. We recently announced the launch of the D-Link DIR-2150 AC2100 Gigabit Router and DRN got to give it a test drive.
First Impressions
Routers have certainly come a long way from the utilitarian black box that needs to be hidden out of sight. D-Link’s latest entry retained the black, but gave it an embossed look with a raised X across the top to look a little different and futuristic.
The indicator lights are built into the design, blending in until they light up to show power, internet connectivity, 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz status, easy to see at a glance. The back has the WAN port next to the quad gigabit ports.
The antennas are not removable, with a pair on either side of the unit and another pair on the rear. They all have two degrees of movements which will allow you to position your array just so to give the best coverage.
In Use
The DIR-2150 shares the same interface as all the recent D-Link routers, either configure with the smartphone app, or via the browser if you are old school like me. The app makes life easier, but the customisation is basic. For more granular control such as changing the subnet range and other advanced features, you will have to resort to the browser interface. This is why I generally skip the app and save myself some time.
In my testing, the DIR-2150 is a decent if unexciting router. It is fast to get it up and running, set and forget if your network is fairly generic. But in comparing to other D-Link routers that DRN have been reviewing this year, this one definitely on the lower end of the feature set.
In brief, this one uses 802.11ac (WiFi 5) technology instead of the newer 802.11ax WiFi6. Parental control is via schedule only, without the ability to create custom profiles. Lastly this one has no mesh support.
Conclusions
The D-Link DIR-2150 has a RRP of AUD$249.95. On it’s own the DIR-2150 is solid enough, but I am wondering why D-Link chose to release it. It fits the bill for a home where simple is king – no home automation, basic parental controls and smallish footprint. The lack of mesh support definitely hampers any expansion abilities. Considering that at this price point, it is just a pineapple short of the DIR-X1860 that Sime reviewed earlier in the year that has a few more capabilities.
For what it offers, I think D-Link is asking too much for something. I would love for them to slow down the release cycles and focus on bringing prosumer features into their products. However if you find it on special, it is worth considering if it fits your needs.
Specifications
Wi-Fi Speed : AC2100 (300 Mbps + 1733 Mbps)
Ethernet Speed : Gigabit Ethernet
Dimensions (Size) : 205 x 132 x 36 mm
NBN/UFB Support : FTTP / FTTC/ HFC / Satellite / Fixed Wireless
Ethernet Ports : 4
Guest Network : Yes
Parental Controls : Schedule
Wireless Bands : Dual Band
WAN Interface : Gigabit Ethernet
Wave 2 MU-MIMO Wi-Fi : Yes
Wi-Fi Technology : Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Smart Home Compatible : Amazon Alexa|Google Assistant
Internet Protocols : IPv4|IPv6
Wi-Fi Security : WPS|WPA/WPA2-Personal|WPA2/WPA3-Personal
VPN : QuickVPN Enabled
QoS : By Device
Automatic Firmware Upgrade : Yes
NAT Forwarding : Port Forwarding|Virtual Server|DMZ
App Support : D-Link Wi-Fi
