D-Link Forums
The Graveyard - Products No Longer Supported => Routers / COVR => DIR-505 => Topic started by: isdoo on December 09, 2012, 04:44:16 AM
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Hello,
Looking to get a new travel router that I can set up and configure via my Android Tablet or Android phone. I think any of these models will do - but not 100% sure. Do not really want to be the other side of the world, when I find out I have a problem.
1) Connect to a wired internet connection in a hotel which is secured with a password and relay it to multiple devices via wifi
2) Connect to a wired internet connection in a hotel which is open (but probably got a login page with a password ) and relay it to multiple devices via wifi
3) Connect to an open wifi signal in a hotel and relay it to multiple devices via wifi
4) Connect to a secure wifi signal in a hotel with either WEP, WPA, WPA2-PSK etc. and relay it to multiple devices via wifi
Appreciate this is not the 506L forum, but hopefully someone will know if that model can do the same.
My current travel router will work just fine, but it means taking my laptop, which I am trying to avoid.
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Yes, the DIR 500 series are supposed to do all that and more.
I recommend that you test one out if you can get one at a local store with a return policy. Test one out before you leave for trips over seas. Be aware that there maybe subtle differences in wifi over seas versus north american wifi. Some EU regions have different channels so a NA unit might not work in a EU region. Security should be the same.
Let us know how it goes and what you get.
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Thanks.
Channels should not be an issue - not experienced that on any router before - I will be buying one in the UK and using it in Europe and the US.
My current travel router will only connect to open wifi signals (and wired ones) so the fact that it can connect to secure wifi is great.
As long as we can connect multiple devices and configure it via our tablet, then it seems like all systems go :)
Our previous travel router, paid for itself many times over - so hopefully this will do the same.
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Good luck.
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I have both the 505 and the 506L. They both can do what you want.
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Thanks also for your reviews on Amazon :)
I will probably opt for the 505 as the 505L is not in the UK and the 506L is not sold directly by Amazon.
As far as I can tell the only difference between the 505 and the 506L is the rechargeable battery. Not sure if that is worth an extra $30/£30
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Enjoy. ;)
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Thanks also for your reviews on Amazon :)
As far as I can tell the only difference between the 505 and the 506L is the rechargeable battery. Not sure if that is worth an extra $30/£30
That's pretty much the case. The 506L has a stronger signal (it has two antennae) but isn't as simple to set up as the 505 and the firmware is not (yet) well sorted. I find the 505 particularly elegant and the signal is good. If you don't need the battery feature, I would go for the 505.
I'm glad that you like my reviews - please vote them as helpful if you think it's appropriate.
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Just seen that the 506L is only powered via USB or the battery - which makes it pointless without a laptop :)
Therefore it is either the 505 purchased here in the UK or buy the 505L to be shipped to my hotel in the US for just before Christmas.
Might opt for that to be honest and then use a converter when in Europe.
I believe the 505L is a bit more powerful for the USB port.
Decisions, decisions.....
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Let us know what you decide to get. ;)
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LOL - just trying to decide the likelihood of Amazon delivering to Florida on a 'guaranteed' 2 day shipment.
I guess they can't be as bad as the UK!
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Be aware of processing time at Amazon, I presume they are a bit better than places like Newegg. There was a 3-4 day processing time even before the shipper got my package. The shipping was 2 day however initial process before shipper was not good. :( So you'll get 2 day shipping, after the shipper gets it. ::)
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Just seen that the 506L is only powered via USB or the battery - which makes it pointless without a laptop :)
Why do you say that? Just use any USB power supply - that's what I do. I took the 506L on vacation (or holiday, as you would say), and didn't even have a laptop - just my iPad.
Amazon lists the 506L as "Fulfilled by Amazon" which means they have it in their distribution centers. If they say 2-day, they mean it.
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Thanks. Rethinking slightly.... :)
I said it because according to their information it is charged just via USB and there does not appear to be a plug.
I guess thinking about it, one could purchase a plug for the USB cable to go into - but usually that would come with the product and it doesn't (according to the d-link website)
The picture clearly shows it just being charged by a laptop.
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The DIR-506L includes a USB cable used for charging - but the other end can go into anything that supplies normal USB power, and you probably already have half a dozen AC adapters for USB. If not, then Amazon can sell you one of those too.
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Probably going for the 506L - can someone kindly confirm that this can be fully operated and setup/configured using a smartphone in the same way that the 505 & 505L can.
Thanks.
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The 506L can be fully configured using a web browser on a smartphone/tablet. I will check tonight to see if the updated QRS app can configure the 506L - the original version could not.
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Nope - the QRS app can't properly configure the 506L. In particular, it doesn't let you select the mode. So you have to use the web browser. I described the sequences in my Amazon review (http://www.amazon.com/review/R14EFCB5137GOL/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm).
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Thanks for checking :)
I will probably just use it via a browser on my tablet - to be honest, I tend to prefer manually configuring each time I wish to connect.
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Does anybody if this configuration will work ie:
Although this looks like a really cool device, I was considering trying to use it as a replacement for my ADSL connection via using this in Hotspot mode (connected through my mobile phone’s internet sharing) and then connecting the Ethernet port to my home router, thus saving $100 a month by ditching my ADSL/Phone Line. But the literature indicates that the Ethernet port doesn’t work when in hotspot mode?
Any other ways of achieving this result with this device?
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It might take an additional piece of equipment however if you got a DLink DAP model and bridged it to the 5 Series running in hotspot mode, you could use the DAP as your LAN wired connection.
One of these might work:
D-Link DAP 1360 (http://www.dlink.com/us/en/support/product/dap-1360-wireless-n-open-source-access-point-router), 1513 (http://www.dlink.com/us/en/home-solutions/connect/access-points-range-extenders-and-bridges/dap-1513-wireless-n-dual-band-media-bridge), 1522 (http://www.dlink.com/us/en/home-solutions/connect/access-points-range-extenders-and-bridges/dap-1522-xtreme-n-duo-wireless-n-access-point), 1525 (http://www.dlink.com/us/en/home-solutions/connect/access-points-range-extenders-and-bridges/dap-1525-access-point-mediabridge), 1533 (http://www.dlink.com/us/en/home-solutions/connect/access-points-range-extenders-and-bridges/dap-1533-wireless-n450-mediabridge-access-point)
Does anybody if this configuration will work ie:
Although this looks like a really cool device, I was considering trying to use it as a replacement for my ADSL connection via using this in Hotspot mode (connected through my mobile phone’s internet sharing) and then connecting the Ethernet port to my home router, thus saving $100 a month by ditching my ADSL/Phone Line. But the literature indicates that the Ethernet port doesn’t work when in hotspot mode?
Any other ways of achieving this result with this device?
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It might take an additional piece of equipment however if you got a DLink DAP model and bridged it to the 5 Series running in hotspot mode, you could use the DAP as your LAN wired connection.
One of these might work:
D-Link DAP 1360 (http://www.dlink.com/us/en/support/product/dap-1360-wireless-n-open-source-access-point-router), 1513 (http://www.dlink.com/us/en/home-solutions/connect/access-points-range-extenders-and-bridges/dap-1513-wireless-n-dual-band-media-bridge), 1522 (http://www.dlink.com/us/en/home-solutions/connect/access-points-range-extenders-and-bridges/dap-1522-xtreme-n-duo-wireless-n-access-point), 1525 (http://www.dlink.com/us/en/home-solutions/connect/access-points-range-extenders-and-bridges/dap-1525-access-point-mediabridge), 1533 (http://www.dlink.com/us/en/home-solutions/connect/access-points-range-extenders-and-bridges/dap-1533-wireless-n450-mediabridge-access-point)
Thanks. That's sounds like a workable idea. I will give it a go sometime soon.
Cheers
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Let us know how it works out. ;)
Slide off the back cover of the DIR-506L and insert the provided Lithium-Ion battery. Replace the cover. Connect the provided USB cable to a source of USB power and plug the MiniUSB plug into the side of the DIR-506L and let it charge a few hours.
Once charged, turn it on using the slide switch above the power jack. On your wireless device, wait for a WiFi connection DIR-506L to appear. Connect to it - it doesn't require a password. If it doesn't connect right away, wait a minute and try again. Open a web browser and go to 192.168.0.1 . You can also use dlinkrouter.local (if you're on an Apple device) or just "dlinkrouter" otherwise. It should present the router login page. The User Name is already filled in as "admin", no password is required. Click Login.
Tap/click TOOLS in the strip that runs across the page. If needed, tap ADMIN in the left column. In the space for an administrator password, type in the password of your choosing. In the V2.11 firmware, this password must not be longer than eight characters - that will supposedly be lifted in an update. Tap Save Settings - the router will reboot.
Wait for it to come up again, reconnect and again go to the router login page. (You may have to reselect the DIR-506L SSID in your device's WiFi settings.) Log in using the password you set. Now tap SETUP in the top strip and then WIRELESS SETTINGS in the left column. Tap "Wireless Connection Setup Wizard". This is where you'll change the default of unsecured WiFi to a secured one. Tap Next to go through the screens. On Step 1, you'll name your wireless network. What I did here was pick a name different from my home wireless, but it might be convenient to just match your home wireless (as long as you didn't use the manufacturer's default!) On Step 2, select BEST to get WPA2 security. This is the only one you should be using, unless you have a decade-old device that doesn't support WPA2. On Step 3, select TKIP/AES for the key type (it isn't labeled as such) and then enter the WiFi password of your choosing. This should be at least eight characters - more is better. Tap Next and you'll be shown a summary screen with the settings - tap Save. The router will reboot again. When it's done, test that you can connect to it with the new wireless settings. If you mess up, you can reset the router to factory defaults by inserting a paperclip or pin in the small hole next to the larger USB jack on top of the unit. Hold it down until you see the router reboot.