Question 1

Is this compatible with xfinity?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, your ISP has nothing to do with the router, your cable modem is a separate device. If you thought this was a cable modem as well as a router, it's not. You will still need a modem (preferably DOCSIS 3 for higher speeds). There's a page on the xfinity site that lists compatible modems, if you want to buy one yourself as opposed to renting one from them for a monthly charge (you'll need to call them to activate it when you change if you get your own - it won't work until then). This D-Link router gives very high speeds over gigabit ethernet or 802.11ac/n/g/b to your local area network, but has no effect on how fast your actual internet connection is, just how fast that signal gets to your devices and between devices on your LAN. Moving files between computers will be very fast, likely much faster than your internet connection speed, which is determined by your Xfinity plan, assuming your cable modem is fast enough (I tripled my download speeds moving from an older DOSCIS 2 modem to a DOCSIS 3 with no change in plan).

Question 2

I have had this router for awhile now and I keep having to restart it, sometimes a few times in one day. Why is it doing this?

Accepted Answer

Mine has started doing the same. I am pretty sure it has to do with my ISP (Mediacom) dropping and then the router not picking it back up. The service has always dropped pretty regularly so I do not know why it started not resetting corectly when the modem comes back on line. I got a new modem today. Maybe that will help.

Question 3

does this work with centurylink?

Accepted Answer

It should work with any provider that supplies an Ethernet connection to your equipment. I have Comcast so there is a cable modem between this router and the cable connection to the home. I am impressed with the speed and reliability of the unit so far as I usually see WiFi speeds on AC close to the advertised maximum on the spec sheet. It has gigabit ports so you'll see gigabit speeds consistently on a wired connection.

Question 4

How do I connect multiple wireless devices?

Accepted Answer

Power up the router and enter all the network information that the router needs.  I always program my routers to be invisible so outside fishers have to know it's name to address it.  Then you have enter a network key.  Even friendly machines have to know the name of the router and the network key.  Then you just have to be patient and let them all negotiate the connection.  I own this router - actually own two of them by mistake and they're a monster.  Very stable, very secure, very fast.  Unless you divulge your personal information nobody will ever gain access to you system (s).  My daughter in-law is a wiz and she could not get on after four hours of trying to hack in.  Also very stable in outages and storms.  I do run battery backup.

Question 5

how to reboot ?

Accepted Answer

I'm not sure of the technically correct answer other than logging into the administration software and rebooting from there. If mine is acting up I just unplug it, wait a minute and reconnect the power. Works every time. However, I rarely have an issue. Mine has been very stable and very quick.

I hope this helps.

Question 6

Is it compatible with an Alienware laptop running 16 gigs and 64 bit Windows 8?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. My Win 8 Asus laptop has no issues connecting, nor do the win7 PCs, the android tablet, GS5 phone, an older windows phone, Blu Ray player etc. It's just a wifi signal like any other, with the added benefit of being faster and split into 2 frequencies to choose from when connecting.

Question 7

Can you use a portable USB drive (ie: 500GB >>> 1TB) with the USB port, or can you only use a flash drive?

Accepted Answer

There might be a size limit that it can address but it will communicate with both portable and desktop exterior drives. My problem with this unit is the VERY POOR speed. I have spent hours with D-Link on the phone and just use mine as a switch. I'm disappointed with the unit.

Question 8

Is this compatible with a Brother wireless printer? (MFC-8710 DW Laser) I used WPS button to set up on old router. Thank you.

Accepted Answer

I can only imagine there would not be compatibility problem with any wireless router.  Once the printer is on the network the only compatibility issue would be with your computer, not the router.  I have this router and use it with an Epson wireless printer with no problems.

Question 9

Can someone please help me understand the wireless speed advertised as 300 + 867Mbps? I know its max 300Mbps on 2.5 GHz frequency and max 800 Mbps on 5GHz frequency. But how does router or PC know which frequency to use at any instant? Will my laptop be able to communicate on both frequency and somehow manage data on both streams? I have gigabit ethernet and so would like to get as close to 1000Mbps as possible over wireless.

Thanks in advance!

Accepted Answer

No it won't.  It's a 2 wireless network radio (one is 2.4, one is 5). If it's the same SSID, it would chose "the best" (assuming you have a dual band laptop).  Otherwise, you name it different SSID's and manually pick that specific one to connect to.

Question 10

Doe it act as a standalone wireless extender?

Accepted Answer

No it does not, as far as I am concerned.  Also FYI sometimes this router looses connectivity from the modem which is a pain.

Brand	D-Link
Model	DIR-850L

Standards	IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
Security	WPA & WPA2, WPS
WPA	WPA2
WAN Ports	1 x 10/100/1000M
LAN Ports	4 x 10/100/1000M
Wireless Data Rates	Up to 1.2Gbps
Frequency Band	2.4 GHz / 5 GHz
Antenna	Internal Antenna
Storage Capacity	None
Interface	USB 2.0
VPN support	Yes
Power Supply	12V DC, 2A
Wireless Adapter included	No
Processor	None

D-Link Wireless AC 1200 Mbps Home Cloud App-Enabled Dual-Band Gigabit Router - DIR-850L

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Item#: N82E16833127496