Wireless routers are the backbone of any home or office network. They give smart devices access to the internet, and now they are also connecting the ever-growing network of IoT devices. The next-generation Wi-Fi 6 standard is making the news, replacing the older 802.11ac standard. Wi-Fi 6 routers are slowly becoming available in India, but most of them come with a hefty price. D-Link plans to solve this with the EXO DIR-X1560, one the most affordable Wi-Fi 6 routers.
The D-Link EXO DIR-X1560 is a dual-band router capable of delivering speeds of up to 300Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band, and up to 1200Mbps on the 5 GHz band. The device uses Wi-Fi 6’s cutting-edge Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) to transmit small-packet data together. This feature reduces latency and jitter, making the router perfect for smart homes and offices filled with IoT devices. The device comes with 4-high-gain antennas, and it supports beamforming technology which lets you extend your Wi-Fi network’s coverage in the direction of devices in your home. The router is powered by a 1.5 GHz tri-core CPU, 256MB of RAM, and 128MB of flash memory.
The DIR-X1560 also supports MU-MIMO technology. The technology distributes the flow of data to multiple devices simultaneously, rather than queuing. This feature is already present on many Wi-Fi 5 routers, but the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard improves on it. The new MU-MIMO feature allows the router to communicate with up to 8 devices at a time, which is a significant improvement over the Wi-Fi 5 4-device limitation. The technology also results in efficient upstream and downstream transmissions, unlike the older Wi-Fi 5 which could only operate in downstream transmissions. D-Link says this improves the DIR-X1560’s coverage and performance, especially in high-density environments.
The D-Link DIR-X1560 supports the Wi-Fi 6’s 1024-QAM modulation. D-Link says the new modulation brings a potential 25 per cent increase in data throughput. The router also supports Wi-Fi 6’s target wake time (TWT) feature. This feature works like a power-saving mechanism by letting the router determine when and how frequently connected smart devices send or receive data. This feature is meant for small Wi-Fi-enabled devices such as dormant smart sensors and video doorbells.
The DIR-X1560 router supports D-Link’s proprietary Wi-Fi Mesh technology. This allows you to mix-and-match compatible routers and extenders to expand network coverage. This feature lets you create a network throughout your entire home or office, so when you move around, your devices automatically get connected to the strongest network. D-Link also lets you see your mesh network’s weak spots in real-time with the Dynamic Network Assistant. D-Link’s Wi-Fi Mesh technology also includes an Auto Optimization feature that ensures the mesh nodes automatically find the shortest, fastest path to the router. There is also an Auto Channelling feature that allows mesh nodes to automatically select the channel with least interference.
Network security is barely going to be a concern with the DIR-X1560. The device comes with the latest WPA3 encryption that overcomes shortcomings of the older WPA2 protocol. The new encryption uses Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) replacing the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) authentication of older WPA security routers. It provides greater protection for simple passwords, individualized encryption for personal and open networks, and it makes home and enterprise networks even more secure. The new encryption significantly improves wireless network security, and it also protects your router’s password from brute-force attacks.
The D-Link EXO DIR-X1560 router also offers advanced parental controls. It lets you create user profiles for each family member and guest, set age-appropriate content permissions, block web sites, and even lock internet access to selected devices. The router is also compatible with the D-Link Defend App, which gives easy access to the router’s settings and security. The app lets you see devices connected to the router and even block unwanted ones. It also lets you monitor your home or office network remotely.
The DIR-X1560 is also one of the few routers that work with Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. It lets you pair the router with Alexa and Google Assistant-enabled devices, allowing you to use voice commands to control the router’s power settings and enabling or disabling guest networking. You can also use voice commands to reboot the router and even update its firmware.
The D-Link EXO DIR-X1560 is a compact router that not only looks futuristic, but it is a future-ready Wi-Fi 6 router with better networking and major security improvements. Priced at Rs. 5,999, the D-Link EXO DIR-X1560 is available at www.reliancedigital.in and at your nearest Reliance Digital store.
Note – Prices are subject to change. Check the product page for latest prices, details, and availability.
