Page 4 - Performance Tests
For the tests, the wireless router was placed in the middle of the main floor of my house. An ASUSTOR AS3202T network attached storage equipped with a single Seagate NAS HDD ST4000VN000 4TB was connected to the router via a CAT5e cable on a Gigabit Ethernet connection. On the client side, a 2015 13" Apple MacBook Pro running Totusoft's LAN Speed Test application was used to transfer 500MB test files to evaluate real-world throughput. In our results, "upload" is defined as data transfer from the client to the server via the wireless router; conversely, "download" is defined as data transfer from the server to the client via the wireless router.
A brief description of the test locations is as follows:
- Location 1: Line of sight to router, approximately 2m distance
- Location 2: Non-line of sight to router, bedroom, one floor up
- Location 3: Non-line of sight to router, driveway in front of attached garage, same level
- Location 4: Non-line of sight to router, near end of backyard, one floor down
- Location 5: Non-line of sight to router, open area, one floor down
Compared Hardware:
- D-Link DIR-867 (AC1750)
- D-Link Covr (AC2600 Router, AC1300 Extender)
- Linksys Velop (AC2200 Mesh)
- Linksys WRT3200ACM (AC3200)
- TP-Link Archer C2300 (AC2300)
- TP-Link Archer C3150 (AC3150)
- TP-Link Deco M5 (AC1300 Mesh)
Since wireless channels are generally characterized by path loss, large scale fading, and small scale fading, the router was tested in five different locations described above to comprehensively measure its true throughput performance. This includes a combination of line of sight and non-light of sight spots, different distance and positions relative to the router, as well as shadowing caused by objects between the laptop and the router. In order to overcome inconsistencies due to small scale fading, a relatively large 500MB test file was used. Furthermore, movement of people and objects within the vicinity of the devices during testing was eliminated whenever possible.
In Location 1, the D-Link DIR-867 delivered the highest throughput; besting even the venerable Linksys WRT3200ACM. The same went for Location 2, where the D-Link DIR-867 pushed a higher download speed than both the WRT3200ACM and TP-Link Archer C3150, although its upload speed was not as good as the Linksys performance router. Location 2 and Location 5 are almost just above or below the router, respectively, showing the DIR-867's antenna array strength when the MacBook Pro is not just adjacent to the device, but also on top and below. The D-Link DIR-867 seemed to do very well when the laptop is below it, with its download speed nearing 800Mbps. In Location 3, D-Link's DIR-867 outperformed the WRT3200ACM in upload by a good margin, but was unable to match its download speed. Location 4 is a tricky scenario, where the distance is not only the longest compared to all the other locations, but the laptop is also located a level below the router. That said, a few glass windows in between help with the signal. In this case, both the WRT3200ACM and Archer C3150 had considerably better range compared to the DIR-867, where the budget D-Link router finally fell behind the considerably higher priced routers.
All in all, the D-Link DIR-867 is a solid router that delivers great wireless throughput at short range; hitting 789.96Mbps peak and never dipping below 100Mbps download even in our toughest test location. At medium to long range, it falls behind the performance units. Considering this is a budget router rated at only AC1750, it is impressive the D-Link DIR-867 can compete in the same league as the big boys and even take home a few wins.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Hardware
3. Configuration and User Interface
4. Performance Tests
5. Conclusion
