D-Link Adds 'Smart Connect' Technology to Dual Band AC1900 Wi-Fi Router

[btarunr]

D-Link today announced a free firmware upgrade for the AC1900 Wi-Fi Router (DIR-880L) that brings Smart Connect Technology to the award-winning dual band router. Previously only available on D-Link's AC3200 Ultra Wi-Fi Router (DIR-890L), Smart Connect technology automatically connects each device on a home network to the clearest band available to deliver the best connection every time. This upgrade, paired with the router's extremely fast 11AC Wi-Fi speeds and advanced QoS engine, makes the AC1900 Wi-Fi Router an even better solution for a high-performance network able to handle bandwidth-intensive activities like HD streaming and online gaming.

Standard dual band routers display two different SSIDS, or public network names, that users can connect clients to: one for the 2.4GHz wireless band and another for the 5GHz band. When adding devices to the network, the user must determine the best band to connect to and manually select that band. Smart Connect Technology provides a simplified approach instead by using one SSID for both wireless bands and intelligently assigning devices to the best, clearest band available.



"Smart Connect Technology takes the guess work out of getting the best possible connected experience from a router," said Ken Loyd, director, consumer product marketing, D-Link Systems, Inc. "Automating the process of connecting clients to a network not only ensures that each device is connected to the appropriate band, but that the wireless bands are continually balanced as more devices are added over time."

More about the AC1900 Wi-Fi Router (DIR-880L):

• 11AC Wi-Fi Dual Band Connectivity - Wi-Fi speeds of up to 1300 Mbps1 on the 5GHz band and 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band for maximum throughput with less Wi-Fi interference
• Smart Connect Technology - Automatically assigns clients to the wireless band providing the best bandwidth
• DD-WRT Compatible - Open source firmware will let you make your home network more controllable and versatile - visit us.dlink.com/dir-880L for more details
• Gigabit Ethernet Ports - Four 10/100/1000Gbps Ethernet ports provide high-speed wired connectivity
• USB 3.0 Port - Provides speeds up to 10x faster than USB 2.0
• New GUI - New intuitive user interface for simple management of a wireless network
• Traffic Prioritization - Advanced QoS engine distributes traffic optimally across both wireless bands to guarantee the best performance
• Wi-Fi Protected Setup - Push button for easy connection to a wireless network
• Backward Compatible - Works with existing Wi-Fi devices (802.11n/g/b)
• Wireless Encryption - Uses WPA or WPA2

Availability and Pricing
The D-Link AC1900 Wi-Fi Router (DIR-880L) with Smart Connect is now available for $179.99.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Arjai]

I don't really want a router that changes my connection. I prefer to have them set up "MY" way, not some random, "OH! That looks important," way. But, that's just me and, well, probably, 90% of TPU-ers.

Sounds great for my Grandma, though.

BTW, my AC1900 Netgear was much cheaper. Also, it does something similar, it focuses on what needs the bandwidth within the channel. So, my 3 cruncher Boxes use the 2.4. When one of them needs it, it get's all of it. Rather than 1/3 of the bandwidth.

That's the way I interpreted it, anyway.

 

[Mussels]

i own the AC3200 model, and the smart connect is f*cked.
Features completely worthless and sticks devices onto 2.4Ghz and leaves them there (and the connected rate is lower than with the feature off) so this is kinda stupid.


It's supposed to have your 2/3 SSID's show as one network, and bounce you around as needed - but on my model it just throws you on 72Mb, 20Mhz 2.4GHz and forgets you exist. Their support told me to install custom roms onto my phone to fix it, and said "it works for me"

 

[remixedcat]

Enterprise based band steering works a lot better and you have options like load balance/force/clieint match/mesh match.

This is basically a basterdized version of band steering