Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Greenhawk84]

Hello all, newbie here..

I have a DGL-4300 that has served me very well over the years, but it is time to put wireless N to use since some of my devices have N.  The tipping point on getting a new router is the Xbox One, since I want the best performance I can get.  It seems like the DGL-5500 is the right router, in spite of some shotty reviews.  The consensus seems to be on the positive side.

Unfortunately I am still new to this AC tech.  I am seeing all sorts of numbers, assuming higher is better; 1200, 1300, 1750, and 1900.  So does that mean I should have gone with the 868L?  It has My D-Link Cloud and it performs faster AC speeds?  For less money?

I suppose the Streamboost on the DGL-5500 makes it pricey?

I guess the DGL-5500 will never be D-Link Cloud compatible, which is kind of a bummer.  That wireless security, streaming, and sharing is really impressive.  What will the DGL-5500 offer me outside of good network management?  I already jumped the gun and ordered one, its on the way by tomorrow.  I just have an opportunity to change my mind by researching a little better.  The DGL-4300 was just a really great router so I have much faith in that product line.

Thanks !!

[BiggShooter]

I have BOTH the 5500 (used as my Router) and 868L (used as my Access Point).  I currently have 20+ devices connected to the 5500 with DCHP reservations set for them.  Two of the 20 devices are Xbox 360's!  I have NO ISSUES with ANY of my devices using the 5500.  I have both Xbox 360's at the top of the priority list.  I've put this router to the test (gaming on both xbox 360's / video streaming / music streaming - all at the same time).  The 5500 handles it with ease!  Of course, upload and download speeds from your ISP will play into your experiences using the 5500.

I ENCOURAGE you to reach out to anyone on these forums, more specifically, FurryNutz.  I've had the router from Day 1 and have some knowledge of an ideal / properly configured set up.  The latest BETA FW is promising!  I've been using it since Saturday and the router has been SOLID (both performance and stability).

Keep us posted!  I will be happy to help you out as much as I can (regarding ideal set up) so that YOU TOO can enjoy the 5500!

Hope this helps with your final decision.  I know you're gonna enjoy the 5500.  

[Greenhawk84]

Thanks for the input.  Can you tell me why you use the 868L as your access point?  Doesn't that router have more features than the 5500?

Is Streamboost the entire reason why the 5500 is more expensive than the 868L?  It seems a little odd to me.  AC1750 vs. AC1300?

[BiggShooter]

I use the 868L as an access point as I wanted something with an AC standard, and something that would be a GREAT backup router to the 5500.  I have two Xbox 360's that are online quite a bit at the same time.  With several other devices connected (iPads / iPhones / Computers) and at times streaming media / music, the 5500 makes sense vs the 868L.

I am anxiously awaiting the Xbox One!  I can't wait to see how the 5500 handles THREE gaming systems online simultaneously. 

I can't exactly tell you why the 5500 is more expensive.  Could it be the Streamboost technology?  I would have to say that is part of the reason.  Like any "break-through" or "new" technology, that piece of technology will always carry a higher price.  Look at the 4K TV's on the market right now.  Take that same technology two years from now and I'm guessing it will be HALF the cost.

I'm sure FURRY can provide more information - I'm surprised he hasn't "chimed" in already!  It's not often I have a first post above his.   

[FurryNutz]

Hello all, newbie here..

I have a DGL-4300 that has served me very well over the years, but it is time to put wireless N to use since some of my devices have N.  The tipping point on getting a new router is the Xbox One, since I want the best performance I can get.  It seems like the DGL-5500 is the right router, in spite of some shotty reviews.  The consensus seems to be on the positive side.
I recommend that you find out what the networking and WiFi capabilities will be for the XB1. No sure if Gb LAN or AC will be supported on it. I believe N will be. Hopefully it will be better than whats on the Slim.   I personally will NOT be getting a XB1. I already have what that offers.  And I don't want Kinect since I never have used it.  I recommend using wired LAN connections for gaming mostly, if you want he best performance.

Unfortunately I am still new to this AC tech.  I am seeing all sorts of numbers, assuming higher is better; 1200, 1300, 1750, and 1900.  So does that mean I should have gone with the 868L?  It has My D-Link Cloud and it performs faster AC speeds?  For less money?
I recommend that you check to see if any of your client device support AC modes or if not, have some ability to be upgraded. Like some Laptops can be or if some devices have LAN cable connection, you can connect them to bridged such as the DIR-865L and 868L to run in AC bridge mode if your going to use the 5500 as your main host router. My roommate is set up for his xbox using this setup. The speeds are a marketing model that means that they combined the Max connection speeds together, on 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz to make a single number out of.
Bridge Mode vs Relay vs Acess Point (AP) / Routers vs Dedicated Access Points (AP)

I suppose the Streamboost on the DGL-5500 makes it pricey? Along with marketing. The 4500 was the same price when it first released with GameFuel, which is some new technology, however very similar to DIR series QoS. SB is new technology for D-Link routers however. So don't think its the same as you have experienced before, it's not.

I guess the DGL-5500 will never be D-Link Cloud compatible, which is kind of a bummer.  That wireless security, streaming, and sharing is really impressive.  What will the DGL-5500 offer me outside of good network management?  I already jumped the gun and ordered one, its on the way by tomorrow.  I just have an opportunity to change my mind by researching a little better.  The DGL-4300 was just a really great router so I have much faith in that product line.
The 5500 isn't as granular as the DGL and DIR series. It does have most of what the others do have accept some WiFi status which we do hope they put in so we can see who's connected and at what speeds. Also hope that IPv6 can be added too. It does have Prioritization to help you let the router know which devices should get priority. It's simplistic, 1 to how ever many devices you have and moving the device up the ladder sets the priority, 1 being the highest.

Remember, this is a gaming router, not a Cloud router so I presume the developers didn't want any extras that were not needed. So if you need Cloud abilities, this router will not support it and I don't think it will be added in later on either. Yes, some people fail to do some research before buying and automatically assume that what ever they pick or the clerk tells them, should work for them. In most cases, generally these routers do work very well, however the 5500 is set to be directed to a more specific demographic of users, mainly gamers and what do gamers do? They game, not a lot of cloud or networking configurations. They just want to game is all. People should really think about there networking needs and then do research to find out what the best router for there needs would be.

[Greenhawk84]

Well thanks for the informative response.  There wont be more than 2 or 3 devices on at the same time at my house.  So maybe Streamboost is not such a factor here.  I may just return the DGL 5500 for the DIR 868L.  I feel like the cloud capabilities trump Streamboost in my case.

Knowing D-Link they will probably release the mother of all routers which has everything for nearly $300 dollars.  Afterall, I am upgrading from 802.11G, so anything I upgrade to is going to be satisfying.  It's just unfortunate I have to choose between feature sets.

[FurryNutz]

Ya, if there isn't a big load on your system an only a few at a time, the 5500 will be good. Theres a guy right now on the beta forum that has his 5500 set up in a motel with 80 connections currently. Not WiFi, but wired and guests connect to wireless APs then to the 5500. IT's working well for him even though nobodies gaming. Probably great for streaming videos though.

You'll need to figure out if you need Cloud router support or not and whats important to you.

Let us know how it works for you when you get it. Here to help you set up too. I posted new information in my review.  

D-Link will probably come out with something again. Since other router mfrs have new stuff now too. Gotta keep up with the jonzes. 

[Greenhawk84]

Well I have my DGL 5500 up and running, I decided to keep it.  I updated the firmware to 1.10.  Works good so far.  I am setting up devices one by one.  So far my Galaxy S2 works way faster on 5Ghz band.  Any tips on settings?  I run a basic network.  I like to play Steam and Origin games.  I game on Xbox 360, PS3, and WiiU.  Never at the same time, I have no roommates or anything.  So maybe a laptop for web browsing and a game will run at the same time.

[FurryNutz]

Read my Review on initial set up.  

http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=55136.0

[Greenhawk84]

Are you going to update that for later firmwares?  Just curious, I updated to 1.10.

[FurryNutz]

Yes...when I get some time.