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[FurryNutz]

My thats a dinky little router. Wow. The pictures are misleading for sure. 

[ph0enix]

I don't think it's that big, I've seen routers that are bigger, example a Draytek Vigor....... They are HUGE! Though the SATA connection cable does look abit messy, but the fan kicks in less.

Progress:

• Restore To Factory Default Settings
• Power Off
• Update firmware : DIR685_FW202b02.bin
• Restore To Factory Default Settings
• Power Off
• Restore To Factory Default Settings
• Power Off

Firmware Filename: DIR685_FW202b02.bin
Firmware Version : 2.02 ,  Fri 20 Jan 2012

Settings:
Internet Setup

• Added:Primary DNS Address
• Added:Secondary DNS Address

Wireless Setup

• Disabled:Wi-Fi Protected Setup
• Changed:Channel Width: 20/40 MHz (Auto)
• Changed:Security Mode: Enable WPA2 Only Wireless Security (enhanced)
• Changed:Cipher Mode: AES "IMPORTANT for connecting 'N' speed, using TKIP has a maximum 'G' 54mbps speed connection"
  

Network Setup

• Added: 3 clients to DHCP Reservation

Left the rest on default, at the moment. The ping currently is about 16ms, but I think it's due to the QOS turned off?I've kept the DNS relay on, and decided not to change the router I.P address from 192.168.0.1 > 192.168.1.1.

Overall the network is fine for now.... but I forgot to bring my devices.

[FurryNutz]

So my observations so far:

1. I notice that when reserving IP addresses, after select and have the information auto fill in and if you change the address, say the last number and save the setting, the actual IP addresses reserved doesn't show up on the device.   I have my Mac Book Pro set for .104 and .105 for wireless and wired connections. Those addresses don't show up after reboot of both. The Mac gets a different address. Is this the issue we all are seeing? Or different? Ok never mind, LOL. I'm used to having the rules automatically apply and be enabled with other routers. I see that you have to check mark the rule, then save to enable it.  I'll keep adding rules, I've only got about 10 right now.

2. I can only seem to achieve 54Mb wireless connection using single mode N, WPA2 only and AES/PSK.   WPS is disabled. So after playing around with it a bit more and turning off my other APs, I'm getting 130Mb now on single mode N. However noticing that the MBP keeps disconnecting here and there during my initial connections on Mixed G and N. Will see if this stabilizes. Seemed odd that the Mac was having problems connecting. 

3. After installing a 250Gb HDD after a pre-configuration out of the box yesterday, the UI reported that NO drive was found. Does the drive need to be pre-formatted first or can the router format the drive?

4. Play several hours last on on MW3, OPEN NAT and full bars. Had a good time.

5. I heard the fan come on and cycle when I powered on the router or did a reboot. I guess I'll hear more about this when I get the HDD going correctly?

DNS Relay and QoS and Firewall settings are default. Only set WAN port speed to manual 1000Mb since my ISP modem handles that.

Other than some of the items mentioned. Router is doing ok.
Should I upgrade FW?


Glad you seem to be having better results after a factory reset. Keep us posted.

[FurryNutz]

Update:
I got a 250Gb drive to work, finally. Might have been one of the drives I was using, so I swapped for a different one. I formatted for NTFS before I installed it. Router said it found a new drive. I skipped the EXT3 format.

[FurryNutz]

Now I can't get that same 250Gb drive to be recognized. WTH.

Update: figured it out. The drives are sliding in under the connector. There so thin, it's missing the connection. Have to lay the router almost on its face then the drive slides in and connect correctly. Guess that extension cable comes in handy. 

[ph0enix]

Sounds like you going up and down the the DIR-685  , I realise that the default WPA2 setting encryption was set as TKIP. Which actually force all connection type to 'G' speed 54mb, putting at AES Cipher Type will resolve all 'N' devices.   This should be highlighted in the settings.......

Hmm about the sliding HDD within the router, I tried multiple HDD different manufacture and disk size didn't came across the issue you're having. But having a SATA extender is much easier to remove and mount the drive, reducing heat is always my top list cause it the router and HDD can last longer in the long term.

The QOS is turned off by default on the WW firmware... guessing the NA firmware is enabled. At the moment the devices are connecting fine, but time will tell.

Oh to improve your 'N' speed have you tried toggling the Short Guard Interval? and change the channel width to auto?

I decided not to enable the Short Guard Interval on my setting to check for stability...

What firmware does your NA router has?

[FurryNutz]

Ya I set up Auto 20/40 and AES/PSK/ I'm at 130Mb on my mac. Its defaulted to Short GI. Should I try Long Preamble?

QoS is not enabled from what I can tell, or just the LAN Eliminated option and the speed settings are disabled and not checked.


v1.01NA

[ph0enix]

Well the QoS is useless, I've tried it. Cause the available drop down does not have 3mbps upload, goes by ^2 . If you decide to use the QoS remember to leave the Download to 'Full' due to that your ISP will handle in download from their side, QoS is used to manage your own bandwidth to your provided ISP speed.

The Long Preamble should do nothing, it's more to do with error correction. Higher bandwidth for  'N' would be the Short Interval Guard, which is default 'disabled' on my firmware. So can't think of anything that you could do on your Mac, though I'm currently connected 270mbps with Short Interval Guard disabled. Have yet to test it with it on, going to test it out next weekend if I'm not busy. You could try updating the firmware to the latest... but as you may know it's just a chance.

[FurryNutz]

So I notice an odd behavior, after coming back home from brunch today, I could not get any Internet on my Mac. ZERO. I had to restart the 685. Also noticed that a Dell PC that I did a fresh install of windows 7 on would not correctly detect or get an IP address. I had to input a static to get anything. I swapped out the 685 and installed my 857 and boom, got IP and internet on the dell and Mac was working with out any static IPs.

Very odd behavior. I'll come back to the 685 later on in the week. Ya set for 4Mb Uplink since i have 2 from my ISP. Seems to work ok. Haven't done much beyond that.

Ya, I think there is something not right about the DHCP services. 

[ph0enix]

  so it's not just a handful of router, seems like a firmware bug.
Latest NA firmware is 2.01, dated same time as WW version.
http://tsd.dlink.com.tw/temp/PMD/9245/DIR-685A1_FW201NA_Release%20Notes.pdf

Though got to admit you did bought the router very cheap  unfair... , this router does have lot of potential with the features it has. But sadly I believe D-Link gave up abit too early..... ah well. But the DHCP is kinda essential....

At the moment my router seems to handle DHCP just fine....... though I give it a few days. But then my brother don't do alot of checks.

I hope that they did corrected the DHCP but forgets to write in the changelog...is that possible?

Your ISP requires you to use QoS? hmm that's an odd request from the ISP

[FurryNutz]

Ok might try that again this coming weekend. I took the 685 offline cuz it's not reliable at the moment and need good connectivity during the week.

Possible they might have fixed it and didn't update the release notes. I hope they did correct it at least. Not good behavior for a router. 

My ISP doesn't require me to use QoS. I only use it for XBL for gaming. I wanted to test this router with it OFF to see how gaming was. I'll test it again this coming weekend after updating FW and turning QoS ON. I have a 50/2 ISP service.

Well, maybe I hope we might have resolved your problems. I hope. Keep us posted.

[FurryNutz]

I meant to ask if the HDD is hot PnP? I presume it is as it says I can eject the HDD after it's dis-mounted it. Just want to confirm this with out having to unplug the router each time.

I did load some video files on it and it did seem to play DVD files on my windows 7 box using MP. Will see how boxee box does with it. 


Well, I'm hoping that v2.00 or .01 helps the DHCP and reservations. Thats the only real concern I have with it. Other then that and the wireless seems a bit funny, the router does pretty good.

I'll try v2.01 this weekend or this week if I get a chance.

[ph0enix]

Once you press the HDD dismounting button, the router will state that the un-mounting has been successful, at this point you eject it with the sliding lever on the router, for me....I just yank the SATA extender out.

I would like to help identifying this DHCP problem, but I've been stump for ages. Cause I believe it may appear later on, overall it's a nice router. But I have annoyed my friend with my recommendation so far, will have to sort his router out later.

[FurryNutz]

He has the same model router?

[ph0enix]

Nope just a DIR-815, just that I've recommended him D-Link over his choice of Netgear.