D-Link Attempts to Bring Style to Routing

When you think of a router usually style does not come to mind. D-Link is trying to change that with their new addition to the marketplace. The 802.11n Wi-Fi router integrates a 3.2”LCD monitor which allows you to view your photos. I will be curious to see if all this “style” subtracts any from the performance of the router. The unit boasts a network attached storage (NAS) that features support both UPnP® server functions and BitTorrentâ„¢ downloads. It also includes a built-in FTP server that allows users to access documents, photos, music and other media locally through the home network or remotely over the Internet. Read the full details below and let me know what you think.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., January 7, 2009 – D-Link, the end-to-end network solutions provider for consumers and business, today unveiled an all-in-one home network router with all the features of a fast, far-reaching 802.11n Wi-Fi router combined with network attached storage (NAS), SharePort technology for sharing printers and scanners, along with a bright 3.2-inch LCD monitor on the face for displaying photos, desktop applications and network performance.

Designed with convenience and functionality in mind, the new D-Link® Xtreme N® DIR-685 offers a stylish, even chic addition to the digital home. Its upright design allows users to easily view the vibrant LCD screen that displays device status via graphical gauges, digital photos, streamed video, weather forecasts and other live streaming Internet content in up to 1.6 million colors.

As a router, the DIR-685 features a sleek design made possible, in part, by the router’s internal antennas. In addition, the network attached storage (NAS) feature supports both UPnP® server functions and BitTorrentâ„¢ downloads. A built-in FTP server allows users to access documents, photos, music and other media locally through the home network or remotely over the Internet.

The DIR-685 employs D-Link Greenâ„¢ technology that helps conserve energy in several ways – by automatically recognizing port activity and cable length and adjusting power usage accordingly, by consolidating all functions to a single device instead of many separate products, and by using the idle mode which automatically turns off power to the LCD screen. A wide local area network (WLAN) scheduler can turn off the router’s Wi-Fi module at a preset time, and the power adapter complies with Energy Star specifications for average power savings of up to 30 percent. The same power-saving features located in the gigabit ports are also included in the NAS drive.

Both USB ports located on the back of the DIR-685 utilize the new D-Link SharePort technology, enabling multiple users to seamlessly share USB devices – including printers, multi-function printers (MFP), and external hard drives – from any location in the home or office, in a Wi-Fi environment. SharePort turns the local USB ports located on the back of the 802.11n router into a fast and responsive virtual port by utilizing a new technology of USB over TCP/IP.

To manage the photo frame feature of the DIR-685, D-Link has partnered with FrameChannel, a free web service (internetphotoframe.com) that allows for the customization of content displayed on the screen, so photos can be easily accessed and viewed.

“This router is the ideal solution for the consumer who wants to be the first on his or her block with the ultimate ‘all-in-one’ networking device,” says Daniel Kelley, senior director of marketing for D-Link Systems in Fountain Valley, Calif. “Not only does it offer full functionality as a router/NAS storage/print server/FTP device, it is attractive on any desktop, environmentally friendly and Internet secure.”

About D-Link

D-Link is the global leader in connectivity for small, medium and large enterprise business networking. The company is an award-winning designer, developer and manufacturer of networking, broadband, digital electronics, voice, data and video communications solutions for the digital home, Small Office/Home Office (SOHO), Small to Medium Business (SMB), and Workgroup to Enterprise environments. With millions of networking and connectivity products manufactured and shipped, D-Link is a dominant market participant and price/performance leader in the networking and communications market. D-Link Systems, Inc. headquarters are located at 17595 Mt. Herrmann Street, Fountain Valley, Calif., 92708. Phone (800) 326-1688 or (714) 885-6000; FAX (866) 743-4905; Internet www.dlink.com.