The D-Link DIR-2150 does not look as fancy as routers under D-Link’s EXO-series but it surely takes some inspiration from. Its streamlined design gives the router a clean look with mesh on the top to support heat dissipation. The status LEDs are at the top while the four non-removable antennas are positioned at the sides and at the back. Power button, WPS, four gigabit LAN and a gigabit WAN port are placed at the back. There’s no USB port present but D-Link seems to have provisioned for it at the front, making it a possibility in some future model. Nevertheless, the router comes with a power unit, an Ethernet cable and a bunch of paperwork.
Setting up a router used to be some “expert’s” job, which is why it’s refreshing to see how things have changed in the last few years. The DIR-2150 is no different and it takes a few minutes to get the router up and running. One can go the conventional way and configure the router via the web interface or can use D-Link’s official app for the router. If you are uncomfortable with the web interface, the D-Link Wi-Fi app is the way to go as scanning the QR code that comes with the router and following on-screen instructions makes the whole process easy.
So how does the DIR-2150 fare in a real-world setting where there are multiple devices ranging from PCs, smartphones and Smart TVs connected simultaneously? It handles well and comes with some features to enhance the overall experience. The dual-band AC2100 router supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands and by default, creates a single smart band that lets user hop automatically between both the frequencies without connecting/disconnecting different SSIDs. However, if you prefer, D-Link also lets you create two separate SSIDs for both bands. The range is decent and good enough for a small to medium-sized home.
MU-MIMO (Multi-user MIMO) efficiently distributes the bandwidth across multiple devices and with a drag-and-drop QoS (Quality of Service) interface, the router lets you prioritise bandwidth to preferred devices. The router also features Parental Control that gives fine control over the internet access for kids at home, multiple profile support, time scheduling and associated devices.
The DIR-2150 also boasts features like voice assistance support from Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, Guest Wi-Fi, VPN support, over-the-air firmware updates and most importantly, the latest WPA3 wireless security standard.
All said and done, there’s a lot to like about the DIR-2150. Retailing at just over Rs. 4,000 on Amazon, the D-Link router offers a rich set of features and performance, making it a worthy upgrade from an entry-level router.
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