Dlink DIR-450 Mini Review

jarredduq · EVDO User Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 29

I just purchased a DIR-450 from Best Buy a couple of days ago to evaluate for potential use with some of the customers I support.

I've owned the KR-1, MB6000, and MB8000. Out of these routers, the MB8000 has been the best so far, as it should, costing ~$600.

Well, not anymore, at least for my basic needs, which are Internet access and VPN client passthrough. The DIR-450 has exceeded my expectations, surpassing the MB8000 in many ways. For one, it has 4 10/100 Ethernet ports, and is 802.11g. The biggest improvement has been in maintaining my connection in fringe areas.

There is a section along I-5 in northern California, near Lodi (hwy12 exit) where my connection would drop like clockwork. The only way I would not drop the connection would be to use the card (Kyocera KPC650) in my laptop directly. In both these cases the same external antenna in the same location is used.

It seems the DIR-450 manages the connections better and there are other locations where I used to experience drops and do not with the DIR-450.

Now, the bad news. The firmware the router ships with has some issues, but the latest firmware fixes the problem. Please note that it takes about 10-15 minutes to update the firmware and your browser will appear to be doing nothing.

New Firmware Link: http://support.dlink.com/products/view.asp?productid=DIR%2D450

For mobile use, I purchased the following adapter from Radio Shack and it works perfectly.

Adapter Link: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103571&cp=&origkw=radar+detector+adapter&kw=radar+detector+adapter&parentPage=search

I've tested both the Nortel Contivity and Cisco VPN clients over this router with no issues. I drove from Sacramento to Fresno, and did not experience one disconnect to my VPN.

It appears that D-Link has a winner here.

[Admin: Moved to the Misc Forum]

Jbradthomas · EVDO User Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 39

What is USB port for? No mention in product manual.
Are your speeds as good as other routers you mentioned?

jarredduq · EVDO User Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 29

buratpuday · EVDO Newbie Joined: 20 Oct 2006 Posts: 6

The USB Port on the DIR-450 is for network storage drives. But it does not work with drives that have more than 20 Gig capacity. The DIR-625 is great but it only supports EvDO cards that are listed in the WWAN setup part.

jwen · EVDO Newbie Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 3

Just curious - what WWAN connection parameters for Username and password did you use to connect to Verizon network.

tk · EVDO Newbie Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

Just went through this issue. Settings are as follows

User Name: (your phone number)@vzw3g.com
Password: vzw
Dial Number: #777

Here is the kicker. I have the wrong card so I don't know if it really works. I just spoke with Tech Support. Please let me know if it does indeed work.

ryanroz · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 25 Feb 2007 Posts: 13

Does you DIR-450 connect to 1xrtt networks? If so can you disable it, so it only connects to 1xrtt networks? I live in a fringe area and have a s720 card and I dont want it to connect to 1xrtt. If it does connect to 1xrtt and there are no options in the administration for the router can i just configure my card to evdo only and plug it in?

Thanks

bennyxiong · Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:22 am Post subject:

since Verizon USB720 and Sprint U720 out, any experience with the usb port support of the 3G router? would its usb port support these two usb EV-DO Rev A modem? I have a USB720, it works great with laptop or PC, but look forward to a 3G router.

Maui · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 11:48 pm Post subject: Re: WWAN Settings for Verizon

angahran · EVDO Newbie Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 3

Anyone tried using an adapter to plug an express verizon card into this router ?

//secure.nexaira.com/store/novatelwireless/product.php?productid=28&cat=1&page=1

Laptop only has express slot, so makes sense to get express card but can't find any routers with express slots.

Ang

jmack · EVDO Newbie Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 2

The USB port is for USB AirCards, such as the Sierra AirCard 595U, the second newest firmware for the DIR-450 reflects this.

I see many people have found out the login information for the Verizon network, does anyone know what I would use for the Sprint network. (Username, Password, Server name, etc...)

Thanks in advance.

** EDIT **

I apologize for the misinformation: I was getting the AirCard 595 confused with the AirCard 595U (USB). The DIR-450 seems as if though it does NOT supposrt the 595U (which means I will be returning the router) Sad

Oscar · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:33 am Post subject: Weird aircard selection

I have my Verizon Aircard 595 for my laptop.
I just got (8/24/07) my D-Link EV-DO router DIR-450 and set it up for my Verizon Aircard, but I couldn't find the card in the list of devices even after upgrading the firmware.
I selected "Sprint - Aircard 595" but I didn't hope it would work.
Lucky me it did work. Weird but works for me.

Before coming to this forum I called Verizon customer support and the guy was very kind and helpful. He tried to get me the most information I needed. He gave the same info: user is the phone number plus the @vzw3g.com. It seems to be that the password is not case sensitive because I tried both up and lower case.

I just say I love this device and Thanks not only to the developers but to the people in this forum for the help on the information.
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Oscar

jackrodgers · EVDO Addict Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 1131

The website lists these specs:

• Kyocera KPC 650 (Sprint & Verizon)
• Kyocera KPC 680 (Verizon)
• Novatel V620 (Sprint & Verizon)
• Novatel Merlin S720 (Sprint)
• NovatelOvation U720 (Sprint)
• Sprint PCS Connection Card PC-5740 (Sprint)
• Sierra AC 580 (Sprint & Verizon)
• Sierra AC 595 (Sprint)
• Sierra AC 5220 (Sprint)
• Verizon PC-5740 (Verizon)
• Pantech PX-500 (Sprint)[url][/url]

The U720 is listed so I assume it will work with the USB port.

Walter · EVDO Junkie Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 307

Yes, the U720 now works in the DIR-450. I'm using it that way right now.
_________________
Reach, Connect, Celebrate, Grow, Serve.

smcpartlin · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 17

Soo it would seem people have gotten the 450 to work with both the Verizon 595 and the 5750.

By selecting the Sprint on for the 595 and the Pantech px-500 for the 5750...

Anyone else what to comment on that?

Also why is the 450 so heavy with Sprint and not fullly supporting Verizon?