D-Link networks routers' USB ports
I reviewed D-Link's DIR-855 wireless router recently, and complained that it didn't offer NAS or print-serving capability. On Wednesday, the company fixed that by introducing the Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit DIR-825.
(Credit:
D-Link)
Like the DIR-855, the DIR-825 is a true dual-band gigabit router, meaning it can spontaneously offer Wireless-N signals in both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. The DIR-825, however, comes with SharePort technology, which allows for turning the USB port of the router into a virtual-network USB port that supports external hard drives for NAS functionality and other USB devices, such as printers.
The new router also features D-Link's HDFuel technology, and belongs to D-Link's green family of routers. The former optimizes the wireless bandwidth for HD content, while the latter means the power used for the router's wireless signal and wired-network ports are adjustable (either automatically or manually) to conserve energy.
The best news is that SharePort, as well as other technologies mentioned above, are going to be made available this week via a firmware update to certain existing D-Link USB Wireless-N routers, including the DIR-628, the DIR-655, the DIR-855, and the DGL-4500. If you are the owner of one of these, remember to update the router's firmware.
The new Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit DIR-825 is available now for an estimated $200.
Dong Ngo is a CNET editor who covers networking and network storage, and writes about anything else he finds interesting. You can also listen to his podcast at insidecnetlabs.cnet.com. E-mail Dong. 
- by webterractive April 16, 2009 5:45 PM PDT
- This utility has great promise, but as of now it's pretty much a Windows only service for the supported devices. There is a Mac version 1.0.1 but it doesn't work with the supported firmware 1.21non-securespot. The initial description says Sharepoint Utility for Mac, but when you go (in my case DIR-655) firmware/applications downloads page it will say that you need version 1.30 to use the services. And the 1.30 firmware is very very beta, and it won't let you downgrade once it's installed.
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