Dlink 0wnz j00.

Dlink 701/704 Cable/DSL routers
Review

by Dave "!FT!Marauder" Kratky. June 12.2001

 

Sick of paying your cable or DSL provider for an extra IP? Worried about security? Multiple servers on different machines on your network? No problem, Dlink's gotcha covered with two excellent products.

Wow. After many moons of screwing around with Linux boxes and Sygate for doing proxy through computers we've finally seen the light, and a slew of new routing devices for home and business use. A few years ago when you wanted to setup a network and give everyone internet access you basically had to setup either a linux box to do the routing, or have a windows box with mutliple network cards. Either way works very well, but is a pain in the ass, and a waste of a computer.... In the last year or so we've started to see a wide range of home products from companies like Dlink, Linksys and 3Com that do most of the things that a complete computer does in the way of routing, and are for the most part one HELL of a lot easier to set up and use.

Kingpin did a review a few months back on the Linksys BEFSR router, and I started using a similar Dlink box (704) shortly after that. When Rogers started killing all the extra free IPs in town here, we had a sudden rush on the Dlink 701 units as everyone scrambled to get their home networks back up and running ASAP, preferably without paying the $10 per month per extra IP address. So, that little rush has inspired me to finally get off my ass and start working on a review. :)

The Unpacking

First off, when you open the boxes the differences between the two units is pretty startling. The 701 is a pretty little thing, all dainty and transparent plastic. The 704 is made of steel and painted dark brown. It looks like it means serious business. (According to the Dlink guys I talked to as well, the 704 is a much nicer and more reliable unit.. I haven't had any issues with either of them, nor have any of our customers.)

The 701 is a single port 10/100 unit. If you want to use it with multiple machines you'll need a hub, which for most people isn't an issue, they already have one. If you're planning on using the box for a single machine (ex. As a firewall) then you just plug it in and it works.

The 704 is a 4 port 10/100 switched hub. (Switches are good for those of you who don't know.) For 4 or less machines you just plug them all directly into the unit and throw away that nasty little 10/T hub you've got. For more than 4 you'll still need your hub or switch.

Both units come with 1 RJ-45 cable and software, as well as power transformers and comprehensive manuals. Both were packed nicely in foam, and looked unlikely to get damaged in shipping. (Especially the 704 which looks like you could drive a small truck over it without causing any damage anyway.)

The Setup

Both units are dead simple to setup. If you're not going to be doing anything fancy with them, make sure that your computers are set for DHCP, release the IP on the machine that the cable modem (Assuming you are on cable) is using and plug the unit into your cable modem. Then plug your computers into the unit (704) or hub (701). Turn the unit on, wait untill it's done initializing (Both take 10-20 seconds) and turn all your computers on. The dlink unit should give them all IP addresses and internet access. Booyah. You're off to the races. Depending on your ISP you may have to give the 701 or 704 your connect information and fixed IP addy as well. You just set your machine for DCHP, go into the setup software (Or web based software on the 704) and enter your ISPs connection data. Done!

In the case of a DSL setup there's one extra step to do. You'll have to access the unit after it's assigned your computer an IP addy and setup the username and password in the PPOE setup section. This takes the place of the access software you currently have running on the unit you have the DSL modem plugged into. (You can kill that stuff now.)

Pretty simple eh? Now, that's just a basic setup. You can also do more complicated things like setup your IP addy ranges, lock certain machines from internet access, lock out certain ports (DIE NAPSTER! DIE!) Setup security passwords on the unit, set up internet remote management if you care to. (Sometimes handy if it's a business setup and you want to be able to administer their connection hardware without having to drag your ass down to the site everytime anything goes wrong or they need something changed.)

One of the most interesting thing about the units is the ability to set up virtual servers on various machines on your network. So! Rather than having every incoming request go to one machine, (Which you can do with the 704 as well, by designating a "DMZ" machine on your network.) you can specify ports to go to certain machines. For instance, on my network I have a Tribes 2 private server, a Roger Wilco server, and I tend to host Rainbow 6 games on my personal machine. The Tribes 2 and RW servers are running on a Linux box that sits under my desk, so I have it's IP address set (non-DHCP) and I have it set to be the DMZ, which was easier than hunting down all the ports my applications on that box use. Any incoming traffic is sent to that box automatically, unless it's on a port I have specified to go to another machine. I have the Dlink 704 set to route any incoming requests on the R6 port to go to my machine rather than the linux box. Very cool.

 

Problems

Well. None really... Both units work very well, and are simple to setup. There's a few annoying things here and there, like the 701s fancy transparent plastic cover. (Looking like an iMac is bad in my books.) and the fact that the 701 requires a serial connection to update the firmware. I really can't find any major issues with either of the test units. They just sit there, work and do their little things. I am a little annoyed that I can't just type in a MAC address and have the unit accept it however. The new firmware for the Linksys units allows this. We had an issue a few weeks ago at FRAGtopia where I couldn't get a Linksys router to properly release it's IP...... And I couldn't tell the Dlink unit what the MAC addy on the Linksys was..... (You can have it clone the MAC on a computer plugged into the unit, but can't just give it one yourself.) Grrrrrrrrr........ That's a minor thing however, and seldom would you ever need it... Still.. It would be a nice feature to have.

 

Conclusion

Either of these units is an excellent choice for the home networker. I've done multiple setups on both units in both the home and business environment, and haven't had any issues with the units. The one issue I did have (ISP not assigning IPs) Dlink tech support was extremely helpfull, staying on the phone with me for over an hour trying to work our way through it. Turned out the problem was on the ISPs end, but it's nice to know that Dlink is willing to go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction. The comparable Linksys routers do tend to have a few extra little features, such as the ability to add MAC addys... But considering the unlikelyness of ever using these features, and the service and support from Dlink... Well.. I'm using their units myself and at work. That says something. :) If you have the extra cash, get the 704. It really is a much nicer unit.