This material will contain the main technical parameters and the procedure for setting up D-Link DIR-615 series routers. Owner reviews classify such devices as budget routers. Therefore, their technical parameters are quite modest, but the price is corresponding. Most often, such routers are used when creating small computer networks.
Scope of use
As previously noted, the router DIR-615 belongs to the segment of budget routers. Reviews like their positioning once again confirm. Again, these models of routers in the computer market debuted quite a long time ago. Initially, they were equipped with only one antenna and allowed to exchange data with a maximum speed of up to 150 Mbit / s. But relatively recently, the manufacturer has radically changed their technical specifications. Now, such network devices are necessarily equipped with two antennas and are capable of transmitting information at speeds of up to 300 Mbps. Also, newer versions of routers have significantly increased the range of their wireless network. But such routers do not yet have a USB port. Therefore, an Internet connection can only be realized using the RJ-45 wired port.
Up to eight computing devices can be connected to the wireless part of the router’s network. So usually switched tablets, smartphones, cell phones and laptops. A wired network segment can include only four devices. In this way, mainly computers, printers and televisions are connected. Again, even though the number of connected devices can reach 12 pieces, but in practice they should not be more than 6-8 pieces. If this condition is not met, the speed of the Network will significantly decrease.
Most often, these routers are used to implement home, computer networks. In some cases, they are also used in small offices. These are two main cases of using this family of routers.
Equipment
The delivery list of such an Internet access point includes the following components:
- A router with two antennas installed. Moreover, they are non-removable. On the device’s case there is a whole set of information indicators and a sticker. You can find the name of the wireless network and the default password DIR – 615 on it. This information is used in the process of setting up an Internet access point.
- Power supply unit with a communication wire, on which a connector is installed at the end for connection to the router.
- CD. This digital media has specialized software for setting up the router. Also on it, if desired, you can find an electronic version of the documentation.
- Twisted pair, at the ends of which RJ-45 connectors are installed. Its length is 1 meter. In most cases, it is used when setting up the access point to the global web. But recently, this configuration method has been used less and less for the reason that it is easier to perform this operation using a wireless connection.
- A paper-based manual with a detailed description of the tuning algorithm and an indication of the main technical parameters of this device.
- Warranty card from the manufacturer. Its validity is one from the date of purchase of the access point.
The router bundle is really sufficient. It has all the necessary elements for its initial launch and further operation. Therefore, after acquiring such a device, the owner receives a completely ready access point to the Internet.
Main settings
As previously noted, the characteristics of DIR-615 belong to the segment of the most budgetary routers today. To connect to the Internet they have only one connector - RJ-45 with the designation WAN. Moreover, the maximum speed of information exchange is limited to 100 Mbps. They also have no more than four ports for implementing the wired part of a computer network. As in the previous case, their highest speed can be 100 Mbit / s. These are the LAN ports. In addition to this, two antennas in fixed design are installed on the routers. The declared gain of each of them corresponds to 5 dB. The range of a wireless network can reach 10 meters under the most favorable circumstances. The speed of information exchange in a wireless network in peak mode can reach an “impressive” 300 Mb / s.
The microprocessor RTL8196E acts as the hardware basis of the device in question. Its clock frequency is 400 MHz. The amount of RAM is 32 MB, and a flash drive - 4 MB. That is, it is impossible to use such a router as a network hard drive. But to create a high-quality computer network of the initial level, its parameters are quite enough. Therefore, many experts in such cases choose exactly such D-Link routers.
Choosing a place to install the router
Reviews DIR-615 are characterized as a reliable device. But at the same time, experts recommend thoroughly choosing the place of its installation. First of all, the router should be as close to the center of the room as the wireless network should cover. This will ensure the best signal level in all its parts. Also, various metal objects should not be near the access point. They will degrade the quality of the signal and distort the transmitted information. Therefore, the router should be as far away from them as possible.
In addition, compressed twisted pair from the provider to the place of installation should be laid without problems. Another important condition is the availability of an outlet for the implementation of power supply to the device. It is based on the previously stated criteria, and it is recommended to choose the location of the router.
Connection. Execution order
Now we will figure out how to connect the DIR – 615 for configuration and further operation. The wire from the provider is switched to the port labeled WAN. The plug from the power supply is connected to the POWER jack, and it is installed with a plug into the power outlet. In most cases, these two steps are enough to configure and configure the router.
But if it is also necessary to create a wired part of a computer network, then additional sections of twisted pair are laid. Moreover, they must be crimped from two sides. They interconnect a computing device, for example, a computer or an MFP, and a router. The connectors on these wires connect to the ports labeled LAN on the router. Their other end is installed in the corresponding socket of the switched device. At this point, the connection phase is completed anyway.
Customization. Main steps
The router of this modification can be configured in two ways: using the web interface and using special programs. The first method is most often used by computer network specialists. It is more complex and requires certain knowledge from the user. The second way to configure the router is simpler. It is much more often used by novice users with a lack of knowledge. It is by his example that the procedure for setting up such a network access point will be described.
At the first stage, you need to connect to the router. To do this, turn it on and the computer. When using a wired connection, no additional manipulations are necessary. If you use a Wi-Fi network, you need to search for available connections. In the list that appears after this, select DIR-615 and establish a connection to it. After the request appears, it is tedious to enter the password that is on the bottom cover of the router. More precisely, on the sticker applied there.
Then you need to install the configuration utility from the digital media included in the package of the router. If the computer is not equipped with a drive, then it must first be downloaded from the company’s website and installed.
After that, on the desktop we find the shortcut D-Link and run it. In the menu that opens, select the item "Settings using the wizard." In the first window of the wizard we specify the parameters of switching to the network equipment of the provider company. It sets the connection method (L2TP, P2TP or PPPoE). The addressing method is also selected. The most commonly used dynamic. In this case, just check the corresponding box. But it is also static. In this case, you need to dial the IP router. Field this to fix it by setting the appropriate flag. In some cases, it is also necessary to set the login and password from the router for identification. All previously listed information is in the contract that is concluded with the provider. We save the entered values and click the "Next" button.
In the next window, set the parameters for the wireless network. This is its name, verification password, addressing method (in this case, it is recommended to use dynamic) and the encryption method. In the latter case, it is recommended to use WPA2. It is today considered the most reliable. We save the set parameters and exit the configuration utility.
Updating the software shell of the router. Recommendations
The next important step in configuring the access point is the installation of software updates on the DIR – 615. The instruction indicates that the user should not participate at all in this process. More precisely, he should not interfere.
After establishing a stable connection with the global web, the router will connect to the servers of the manufacturer. Next, a special verification algorithm will be launched, which will compare the version of the router's programs with the one that is in it. Since updates appear often enough, in most cases a software update will be required. The router will automatically generate a list of required components, download them, and install them. In this case, the user’s task is to not interfere with the update process, which lasts no more than half an hour. That is, during this time we do not perform any actions related to the network connection. In this case, the router may reboot several times.
As experience shows, factory firmware is often incomplete by the manufacturer. Therefore, for reliable and stable operation of the access point, new software versions must be installed without fail.
Verification of parameters
At this stage, how to configure the DIR-615 router is completed. Now it is only necessary to verify the correctness of the previously entered parameters. To do this, on a personal computer connected to the router, launch any available browser and specify the address of any site, for example, qip.ru. Next, press Enter and after that its start page should open. If this does not happen, then we re-run the configuration utility and check the specified parameters, among which we pay most attention to the IP address of the router and the connection method. As a rule, it is during their assignment that errors most often arise.
Cost
The price may vary significantly for the network devices in question. DIR-615 in the most affordable version can be purchased for 500-600 rubles. In this case, the number of RJ-45 ports for a wired network is reduced to 2 pieces. It makes sense to purchase such a router only if it is planned to mainly use a Wi-Fi transmitter to receive or send information. As part of such computer networks, smartphones, tablets or laptops are most often used. An example is DIR-615 T4. This is a typical router of this class.
The most expensive versions of such routers are estimated at 1,500-1,600 rubles. In this case, there are already mandatory 4 RJ-45 sockets, which allow you to implement the most complex wired network. It is advisable to buy such a router if it is planned to switch using a twisted pair of three or four computing devices. This can be personal computers, and multifunctional devices, and smart TVs, and even a security alarm device. Therefore, the first group of routers is mainly used to create home access points, and the second for office ones.
Owners opinion
Owners emphasize on a simple and understandable setup procedure for the DIR-615. The default password and login for accessing it are the same for these devices - admin. Also, the number of parameters that must be set before operation is minimized. That is, it turns out a very, very simple network access point. And this applies to both settings and operation. In addition to this, her reliability is at an extremely high level. But the cost is quite low. That is, significant disadvantages do not exist with DIR-615. They do not have a USB port - this is a conditional flaw. But this is a typical minus of any budget router. In addition, it is not so often when creating an entry-level computer network that it is needed.
Conclusion
Reviews DIR-615 in the majority are very very positively characterized. It is a truly reliable, simple and affordable network device. Therefore, such routers are often used in the implementation of various entry-level computing networks. Such routers really have everything necessary for such operation.