D-Link DGL-4300 wireless router
Manufacturer: D-Link Systems Inc. Part number: DGL-4300
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Get the D-Link DGL-4300 now if you can't stand another second of gameplay disruption; otherwise, wait until it incorporates a solid MIMO solution.
Read more
Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Once you know, you Newegg! |  | In stock Your destination to Windows 7 | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/04/2009 |
| Amazon.com Marketplace | | In stock | as of 12/04/2009 | |
 | | In stock | as of 12/04/2009 |
CNET editors' review
D-Link DGL-4300 wireless router price range: $129.99 - $150.11
- Reviewed by: Stephanie Bruzzese
- Edited by: Allen Fear
- Reviewed on: 03/31/2005
- Released on: 12/08/2004
The good: GameFuel mode gives priority to games and other high-bandwidth apps; four Gigabit Ethernet ports; WPA support; SPI firewall; supereasy setup.
The bad: Expensive; lacks MIMO technology; short one-year warranty; fastest wireless speeds require special wireless adapter for the connecting computer.
The bottom line: Get the D-Link DGL-4300 now if you can't stand another second of gameplay disruption; otherwise, wait until it incorporates a solid MIMO solution.
The slick, black DGL-4300 has seven blue status lights on the front that indicate when the power, WAN, WLAN, and four Gigabit LAN ports are working properly. The removable 5dBi antenna on the back edge bends and rotates 90 and 360 degrees, respectively, which helps you optimally position the antenna. In other efforts to help you position the router just right, D-Link ships the device with four handy rubber feet for lying flat, two snap-on rubber legs for vertical placement, and brackets for wall hanging.
The DGL-4300's browser-based configuration tool is also slick. The tool's smooth blue, orange, and black graphics and well-organized tabs are a nice touch. When you initially log in to the D-Link tool, it presents you with two helpful wizards for connecting to the Internet and specifying your wireless security settings. Or you can skip the wizards and alter all of the DGL-4300's settings manually, determining features such as the device's SSID, WEP and WPA security levels, acceptable MAC addresses, and DMZ assignments. Parents who want to limit their kids' computing activities can also use the tool to block access to certain Web sites and games at specific times. At press time, D-Link also posted a new firmware upgrade with a few potentially intriguing features, such as Xbox Live certification, which allegedly helps to limit ICMP, and the ability to test virtual server settings via a LAN connection, which may help those attempting to establish their own game servers.
Last but not least, the tool contains access to the router's GameFuel technology, which makes a noticeable improvement in gaming performance on wireless routers servicing multiple simultaneous connections. We started our anecdotal tests by using our laptop to play an online match of Unreal Tournament 2004, first through an 802.11b router, then through the DGL-4300, while neither router received any other Wi-Fi traffic. In each scenario, our movements were smooth and timely. We then used our laptop and the 802.11b router to upload photos to an FTP server while simultaneously playing Unreal Tournament 2004; we used another laptop to upload more pictures to an FTP server through the router at the same time. The subsequent lag in our gameplay was as plain as day. We experienced a similar lag when conducting the same gameplay and file transfers using our laptops and the DGL-4300 with GameFuel disabled. When we went through the same scenario a final time with GameFuel enabled, all of our movements and shots appeared smooth and timely once again.
The DGL-4300 kept up the fast performance in the first half of CNET Labs' tests. In its SuperG mode, the router earned the same fantastic 45.7Mbps max-throughput score as the MIMO-enabled Belkin Wireless Pre-N router. But the D-Link's lack of MIMO support showed in our mixed-mode tests: it clocked a sad 9.9Mbps score compared to the Belkin's 42.1Mbps time.
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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Throughput in Mbps |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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Throughput in Mbps |
The DGL-4300's meticulous setup poster and user guide make for painless device installation and maintenance. If you do have problems, you can call D-Link's toll-free tech-support line at any time, on any day. D-Link includes only a one-year warranty with the DGL-4300; expensive routers such as this usually carry three-year warranties, and Belkin offers a lifetime warranty. You'll find a long list of device-specific FAQs and downloads on D-Link's support Web site.
User reviews
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BEWARE BEFORE YOU BUY!!!
by SandTiger on August 21, 2005
Pros: Great speed, powerful features
Cons: Doesn't work well except with D-Link products. Crappy customer support
Summary: The bottom line is that if you are not planning on buying D-Link adapters then think very very hard before you get this router. It is NOT friendly to anything ...
Summary: The bottom line is that if you are not planning on buying D-Link adapters then think very very hard before you get this router. It is NOT friendly to anything except D-Link. To make it work with a non D-Link adapter the technical support (after over an hour of wait for a very unfriendly customer service) had me turn the speed down to 11mbps and restrict it to G only support and reduce the security down just so it can accept a connection from a non 'super G' adapter. So unless you and everyone else who comes over or uses the network will have D-Link adapters, then you are in for some very nasty surprises.
I gave in and bought a D-Link adapter and it worked like a charm. But even then the adapter had installation issues and when I called the customer service line I got the same treatment (over an hour wait and very unfriendly support).
I would return it but I went through too much hassle to just do that so I guess I'm stuck with it until next year when true MIMO technology is out and I will upgrade.
Never D-Link again.13 out of 18 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Excellent high quality router
by none93 on May 8, 2005
Pros: Reliable router with many firmware features.
Cons: little high priced, but it has come down some
Summary: This is the best router I have owned. Many other people have said this also about this router (in reviews posted on other sites).
It's not fair for cnet ...Summary: This is the best router I have owned. Many other people have said this also about this router (in reviews posted on other sites).
It's not fair for cnet to give this router a negative because its doesn't have "mimo". Especially considering since MIMO isn't even a standard, and won't be a standard for a long time.
The wireless range on this router is just as good or better than my Linksys WRT54G. And it has many more firmware options than the Linksys does.
The log file is detailed, and holds many entires (over 350 lines).
The many settings in the firmware, large log file, and reliability are what sold me on this router. The chipset inside is designed by Ubicom, and the chipset itself is designed specifically for QOS.
This router also has super bright blue LED lights. They will light up your room at night.9 out of 9 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Recommended by a friend but has same reboot issue as my DI-624
by boobot on December 1, 2005
Pros: Nice look, great setup options
Cons: Router constantly reboots every few minutes
Summary: I bought this to replace my Dlink DI-624 router that has the "known" issue of rebooting every day. The setup was simple and I was on the internet immediately. I ...
Summary: I bought this to replace my Dlink DI-624 router that has the "known" issue of rebooting every day. The setup was simple and I was on the internet immediately. I loved the web options on this device as it is extrememly detailed. Unfortunately after 16 hours it reset(Firmware is the latest). Then again a few hours after that. Even after removing it from all networked devices and using a different power source it consistantly would reset just as my DI-624 did. I would not recommend this router or any similar device from Dlink. If you have the same problem look up the DI-624 reboot issue on Google and you can try some of the fixes available but none have worked for many people. Good Luck!
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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One of the best routers out there
Pros: -Easy to setup -High quality -Smooth gaming experience -Gigbit switch
Cons: -A little too expensive
2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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For your average home setup, this router is great.
by Ravensblood on January 5, 2007
Pros: Setup is a snap, looks sharp, well built, packet prioritization in firmware for enhanced gaming.
Cons: A little on the expensive side, is a few years old.
Summary: I picked up one of these late last year to replace our aging Netgear wireless router. I'd finally picked up a laptop that could handle online gaming, but every ...
Summary: I picked up one of these late last year to replace our aging Netgear wireless router. I'd finally picked up a laptop that could handle online gaming, but every time I'd try to play World of Warcraft with the Netgear, it would lock up and the entire home network would lose internet access. I did a lot of shopping and finally settled on this D-Link router which I ordered online. It's a sharp looking piece of tech that doesn't look out of place next to the television (since that's where the cable hookup and cable modem are), and setup was flawless and quick. I tend to do a lot of downloading in the background when playing online games, so having the packet prioritization is awesome. This means that my gaming packets get traffic priority over the other packets on the network which results in nice, low pings.
I have an old Dell Laptop from a few years ago with wireless, and my new Thinkpad has an IBM wireless adpater and both of them have been able to connect to this router with no problems. My Nintendo DS Lite also was able to connect with hardly any effort at all. We have four desktops (connecting wired through two hubs), three laptops (connecting wirelessly), and two occasional Nintendo DSes connecting through this thing, and we've never had a problem. It gets the job done.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Fantastic, easy to use, good range
by sv007 on August 22, 2005
Pros: Excellent menu, solid connections, Gigabit hub!
Cons: Requires 10 second reboot to make config changes
Summary: Set up was a snap. Connections are solid - no dropouts or disconnects. Don't use super G as not all my cards have it. Works great with b or ...
Summary: Set up was a snap. Connections are solid - no dropouts or disconnects. Don't use super G as not all my cards have it. Works great with b or g notebooks. No lag whatsoever on gaming machine with gaming feature enabled. Wired Gigabit connection is great. The only problem I found was getting 64 bit encryption to work. It insists on using 128 bit instead (which is OK). All in all, this is one of the best routers that money can buy right now.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Wow! Great for CounterStrike: Source
by dsmith on August 12, 2005
Pros: Sped up my connection to CSS by about 30, lag is now a thing of the past
Cons: Pricey. But worth it if you're a gamer
Summary: I read the few reviews on cnet.com so far and decided to give this baby a shot. All I've used it for thus far is hard-wired connection to ...
Summary: I read the few reviews on cnet.com so far and decided to give this baby a shot. All I've used it for thus far is hard-wired connection to play CounterStrike: Source. Lag is generally a problem, but with this router, I've experienced none. In fact, my ping went down by about 30 (non-peak hours)... Stay tuned for peak-hour ping. Fantastic router, easy to set up and configure.
GO GET THIS IF YOU'RE A GAMER1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best Gaming Router Ever
by Scobywhru on July 30, 2005
Pros: Fast, Reliable, Upgradeable Antenna, Gigabit Ethernet, HIGHLY configurable
Cons: No Jumbo Frames
Summary: No MiMo is not a minus its in the 802.11n standard and all these Pre-N devices are just a waste of money unless you need the range and can ...
Summary: No MiMo is not a minus its in the 802.11n standard and all these Pre-N devices are just a waste of money unless you need the range and can spare the money on a new Router and Wireless Card, and then you are spending more then what this router costs and you still don't get gigabit ethernet, And when 802.11n comes out you won't have compatable hardware. MiMo may help extend the range but the DGL-4300 already covers my entire house and if I need more range I can get a better antenna. Its not just Extreme G cards that work at 108mps on this router i have an Atheros WiFi card in my laptop and it connects at that speed as well.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Wonderful all around wired and wireless router
by Codemonkee on July 18, 2005
Pros: Perfect for gaming, easily configurable
Cons: little pricey compared to others, no MIMO, but who cares. . .
Summary: If you are a gamer or like to really get the most of your bandwidth, this router is great. Very easy to setup and configure. Works great for gaming, even ...
Summary: If you are a gamer or like to really get the most of your bandwidth, this router is great. Very easy to setup and configure. Works great for gaming, even with multiple systems running on one router. Love the blue led's on the front, but with the lights out they light the office and halfway down the hall.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Lots of Settings. Works reliably (see potential bug).
by rasmasyean on April 19, 2009
Pros: Stays connected to clients reliably. Doesn?t ever need to reboot. I?ve run this router for over 100 day straight before.
Cons: But there is one problem. I think the log overflows it because if I log ?info? messages, it would stop being seen by clients after several weeks on occasion. But if I don?t log ?info?, it has never needed a reset. Not sure if that?s just my unit.
Summary: I think it has a bug with logging too much data. I?m sure it runs out of space eventually, but it?s my guess that when it?s full, ...
Summary: I think it has a bug with logging too much data. I?m sure it runs out of space eventually, but it?s my guess that when it?s full, it sometimes can glitch and need a reset. Because when I log everything, there?s like a lot of messages. But ?info? is mostly useless anyway. I guess if you really want to see what?s going on, this might be useful for the period you are monitoring. So if this is for an application that requires you to record a these types of events, you might not want this product. But there are CISCO routers that cost way more that are meant for this type of use. But know this in case it happens to you too.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: D-Link Systems Inc.
- Part number: DGL-4300
- Description: Push the limits of basic networking technology and experience the evolution in networking. Wirelessly share broadband Internet, boost network performance, stay competitive in your online games with D-Link's new cutting-edge GamerLounge Wireless 108G Gaming Router, powered by GameFuel Priority Technology.
General
- Device Type Wireless router
- Form Factor External
- Width 7.5 in
- Depth 4.6 in
- Height 1.4 in
Networking
- Connectivity Technology Wired, Wireless
- Data Transfer Rate 108 Mbps
- Data Link Protocol Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
- Routing Protocol Static IP routing
- Status Indicators Power, Port status, Link activity
- Features NAT support, E-mail alert, VPN passthrough, Firewall protection, MAC address filtering, Auto-sensing per device, Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), Wireless Distribution System (WDS) support
- Compliant Standards IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Antenna
- Antenna External detachable
Communications
- Type None
Expansion / Connectivity
- Expansion Slots Total (Free) None
- Interfaces 4 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45, 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45 ( WAN )
- Compatible Slots None
Miscellaneous
- Cables (Details) 1 x Network cable
- Mounting Kit Included
- Encryption Algorithm WPA, 64-bit WEP, 128-bit WEP
Power
- Power Device Power adapter - External
Software / System Requirements
- Software Included Netscape Navigator, Drivers & Utilities
- OS Required Apple MacOS X 10.1, Apple MacOS X 10.2, Apple MacOS X 10.3, Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
- Peripheral / Interface Devices CD-ROM
Manufacturer info
- D-Link Systems Inc.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse D-Link Systems Inc. products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.dlink.com/
- Address:
17595 Mt. Herrmann, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 - Phone: 1.877.453.5465
- Email: tech@dlink.com
