D-Link ADSL2+ Ethernet Modem-(DSL-520B)

I bought this DSL modem to replace a Westell 327W DSL modem/wireless G router that I got when I signed up for my Verizon home DSL six years ago. We live in a rural area and are toward the end of the recommended distance from the switching station for a DSL line. The Westell was very unreliable and would drop out the connection to the internet regularly and often needed to be re-booted to reconnect. It was especially bad when the weather was less than a perfect sunny day. This unit, the 520B is rock solid. I have had it for about a month so far, during which time we have had severe rain and thunderstorms - including lightning strikes - and it has not even skipped a beat. The unit was easy to install with the included software and it automatically self-updates via the signals sent from your ISP so it is a true "set it and forget it" kind of device (as it should be), but access to manually configure the unit is great also should you ever need it. The VPN pass through feature is faster and more reliable than the Westell was - much needed for me as when I telework I have to connect into the company network via a VPN connection. I have a Linksys EA 4500 wireless router connected to the modem and the two work flawlessly together as well. The EA 4500 is the hub of a fairly complex wired/wireless home network with multiple wired nodes, two router/wireless access points, an eight port switch and one wireless signal repeater/range extender. At maximum usage, there are four computers, two wireless printers, two Android phones and two Android tablets on the network running through the network and utilizing the modem at once and I never sense any traffic hitches or slow down issues. I am very pleased with this product in both price and performance.

If you subscribe your DSL service from Frontier Communications, be aware! Frontier has a policy in place that doesn't allow you to use your own equipment, hence the monthly rental charge for their equipment will stay on your bill, no matter if you use their's or your own equipment. I call it "rip off, gouging or whatever you want to call it (to use Mr. Trump's words)". Again, they found a way to reach into your wallet. There is no regulation / law about this in place. ** The D-Link modem works as expected, though. ** Makes it harder to return! I called Frontier prior to purchase of this modem, since I have my own router with built in WiFi and wanted to use it. Frontier provides a modem with built in WiFi (Netgear) and charges you a hefty rental fee. When I asked if I can use my own modem to save the rental fee, I was told that I could use any modem that has an RJ11 (telephone receptacle). What they conveniently forgot to tell was that they still will charge the rental fee. This I learned when I inquired about the return of their equipment. In other words, it is useless to purchase a DSL modem replacement, the charge stays on your bill. I am writing this so that other Frontier subscriber are aware of this dubious business of Frontier Communications! I complained about the forced rental to our State senator and others in this trap should do the same. What happened to freedom of choice?

update: getting it to work with wifi was easy--just reinstalled wifi. I have just spent 5 hrs on the phone over two days to get this modem working with a macintosh. Granted, most of it was wind stream's fault. But have your vpi, vci, username and password for your account ready for ppoe network protocol accounts. And if you don't know your network protocol, find that out. No auto setup for macs. And I had to call wind stream three times to find someone who knew what I meant when I asked for the various info. DLink complicated things by saying find "connection type" instead of "network protocol" as well. As of now the modem works with an old computer but not with a newer one and neither work with wifi, although it is possible the wifi firmware needs an update--that is for tonight or tomorrow as I'm really tired of all this. I still gave it four starts as much of the issue was windstream, but instructions could have told me what to look for at start and the poor terms for network protocol created an issue.

Do not buy this modem. It worked fine and installed without too much difficulty. The problem is that if the power goes out or the internet drops it does not come back online. You have to manually turn it off and back on again. So forget about watching your home while you away or timing something off the internet. I have WiFi thermostats in a home we rent so I see it drop at least once a week. What a waste of money!

Been using this for a few days now. Setup was a snap but skip the CD if you can-just navigate your browser to the setup page. This product is easy to configure and if you're an advanced user, you can play with several other settings-just make sure you know what you're doing. Simple setup will get you going. Now that i'm with a smaller ISP i dont have to worry about renting modems from Bell again. Speed of internet connection is about the same as what i was getting with a Bell modem-no issues there. All in all, a good purchase at a great price! I would recommend it.

worked out of the box. came with a cd. who has a cd drive any more? works a lot cooler than my old unit. quite happy.

Fills a very specific need, it does what you get it for.

Damn. It has been a year already since I bought this and now is likely a good time to write a review on it as I have had it for awhile to test it. When reading some of the reviews, it sounds like some people have no clue to what this really is. So, let me tell you. As it says in the description, this is an ADSL2+ Modem Router. What that means is that with the ADSL2+ standard, this is a DSL modem that uses the phone line to get a connection. It isn't a cable modem. As it uses ADSL2+ standards, it has a top download speed of 24 megabits per second I do believe and a top upload speed of 3.5 megabits per second with annex A or M enabled. If you have DSL service of up to 24 megabits per second download AND up to 1 megabit per second upload speeds, then this is a modem for you. If you have a DSL service with an upload speed greater than 5 megabits per second then you will require a VDSL standard modem. That is a different modem altogether. Now onto the Modem Router part of this item. This device can be used as a regular modem where it will act as a bridge for a router that will contain all of the login information for your ISP. That router, which is separate from this item, can be a wired or wireless router, but it is something that you will provide yourself. This device can also be used as a router wherein it can act as a router with all the login information for your ISP and devices but you will need to connect a switch or possibly wireless switch to connect your devices to. You could also connect a router or wireless router to this device when it is acting like a router, but the results may not be as you expect for you and your network. But if you only have one device, or a switch to connect multiple devices, using this device as a router won't be a bad thing since when you turn it on, it will take care of the Internet connection for you. Now some people have thought that this router might include wireless capabilities. It doesn't. It has a connection for the telephone wire to connect to it to bring in the DSL signal. It has a single connection to connect an ethernet cable to, which you use to connect to a computer or router or switch or whatever device you want to connect to the Internet. And it has a reset button you have to press with a sharp object like a pen or pen cap, and it also has an on/off button. So no wireless capabilities at all. When I ordered it, the price was reasonable (about $30) and it arrived within a few days after ordering, if I recall. It basically cost me the equivalent of one months' Internet service. It came with a Cat-5 cable instead of a Cat-5e cable but when you think of it, Cat-5 is adequate for connecting this device with a router or computer. And it is a better deal than renting a modem as that cost would be more than it would cost me to buy it. If it lasts at least 3 years, I'm more than ahead of the game. Though it has lasted a year already so that's a bonus. Like some devices, either they work or they don't work. This one works. Now I will say that my service is 6 megabits download speed and 800 kilobits upload speed, so I'm not really taxing this unit, but throughout the year, I've never really had any problems with it. It replaced an old GNet ADSL modem which I had for some years and was losing the connection on me, because it was burned out on the motherboard. Yes, like some have said, the device can get warm. Dust is a big killer of electronics and cleaning it or vacuuming it once in a while won't hurt. Keep the air vents clear and let it get proper ventilation. Also, you can turn off this device when you're not using it. You don't have to keep it on 24/7 if you don't want to. I have this paired with an old Linksys WRT54G wireless router and although it was making me reset my connection a few times more than I wanted, it was the wireless router's fault. It had its old firmware and after I upgraded it, it is working better now with less connection issues. Overall, the modem is a good modem and it works and if you log into it to look at the statistics on the modem, it has a nice user interface. Though it is a little more expensive than say a TP-Link model, I would still buy this modem as D-Link is a good name and my first router was a D-Link and it lasted a good while. I was saddened when my wired D-Link router stopped working but they sometimes do that. So when this modem router stops working, I'll likely buy another one of these to replace it, if I'm still using the same service and it has the same requirements. I heard somewhere that DSL modems usually last around 3 to 5 years I think it is. Well, if they are properly maintained, they should definitely last that long or maybe a little longer. And if you own it, well, that's just more savings you'll be getting from not having to rent it. Hopefully this review will be helpful to people in understanding how this device is used. As it uses a DSL service, please be reminded that DSL filters will also be needed for all telephone lines in the house so as not to interfere with the DSL signal coming from your ISP. A filter is not used on the line connected to the DSL modem mind you. And although I'm only using this modem as a bridge, I am satisfied with it.

The modem is exactly the same model as one I've used now for several years. The old one is still working, but I've put it away to use as a backup. This model does tend to overheat sometimes, but I find running a little USB fan prevents that (See ARCTIC Breeze USB Desktop Fan ABACO-BRZRT01-BL on Amazon). I don't know about other modems (and this could be the fault of Bell ADSL service) but I'm accustomed to having to reset this model every week or two. To me it's no big deal. Just hit the reset button and let it reboot. Sometimes it takes two tries, but it always gets back up and running. And it was CHEAP!