Tag Archives: D-Link

Aquila Pro AI AX3000 review

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We rely so heavily on Wi-Fi today that we expect to have it and that it works where we need it. Indeed, the most common internet issue is not the NBN connection but rather issues caused by your Wi-Fi router. Most people feel very comfortable with their PC, but if I asked you to adjust the settings on your router, I am sure to get a confused look. Let’s face it: we just want Wi-Fi to work. We review the D-Link AQUILA PRO AI AX3000 to see if it fits the bill.

Why do I need a Wi-Fi router?

Your NBN retailer provides an internet feed into your house as a single ethernet port. To create a Wi-FI network, you need a Wi-Fi router. A Wi-Fi router that your NBN retailer may have provided you takes the internet connection via ethernet and allows many people within your home or business to access the internet via ethernet or Wi-Fi connection.

Ethernet cable

The router part of the equation is like a big power board that splits the internet for more than one user but with intelligence, so each additional connection is a measured and controllable addition.

Also, see our previous article on how to improve your Wi-Fi.
Most routers NBN retailers provide low-end models that are unlikely to provide good coverage in larger homes.

How can I get more out of my Wi-Fi router?

The good news is most Wi-Fi routers are almost plug-and-play out of the box. You will need to confirm the Router SSID name (Wi-Fi network name) and password, as well as the router admin password. You can leave these as default, or a handy hint is if you are upgrading from an older router, use the original SSID and password. This means all your connected devices will continue working without reconnecting to your new Wi-fI router.

Beyond the initial setup, if you are technically inclined, you could adjust settings to get better results from your router. These include:

  • Changing the channel used. In high-density housing, many routers might end up using the same channels. Changing to a less-used channel will improve performance. The AX3000 will automatically do this for you.
  • Smart TVs and game controllers will work better if you connect them directly to the router with an ethernet cable rather than Wi-Fi. The AX3000 has 4 available ethernet ports.
  • Parental controls enable parents (administrator) to restrict usage of a device access device. On the AX3000, this can be a time of day when the internet is unavailable or blocking access to certain websites. A manual button allows the internet to be switched off for a device.
  • Quality of Service or client priority allows devices to be given priority over other devices. You could prioritise the main TV or someone’s laptop to ensure the best Zoom calls.
  • Guest Wi-Fi allows you to set up a unique Wi-Fi network for guests to use, ensuring they do not have access to shared resources such as shared drives and printers on your primary network.

What are the D-Link AQUILA PRO AI AX3000 features?

The D-Link Aquila Pro AI AX3000 is a Wi-Fi 6 router that promises to blanket your home with fast, reliable internet. Here’s what makes it stand out:

Super Speeds: Say goodbye to lag and buffering! This router boasts speeds up to 3Gbps, thanks to its Wi-Fi 6 technology and extra antenna on the 5GHz band. Stream, game, and video chat without a hitch, even with connected devices.

No Wi-Fi Dead Zones: Tired of weak signals in certain rooms? The Aquila AX3000 has you covered. Its clever antenna design and AI tech deliver strong, consistent Wi-Fi throughout your home, no matter where you are.

Smart Network, Smarter Life: This router isn’t just fast; it’s also brainy. AI helps optimise your network, automatically choosing the best channel to avoid interference and prioritising your bandwidth for the activities you need most, like that important video call.

Future-proof Technology: Wi-Fi 6 is the latest and greatest Wi-Fi standard, so you can rest assured your router won’t be outdated anytime soon. It’s also backwards compatible with older devices, so you don’t have to worry about upgrading everything else.

Mesh Wi-Fi: Want even wider coverage? Add more Aquila AX3000 units to create a mesh Wi-Fi system that seamlessly blankets your entire home.

Security Matters: Keep your network safe with advanced security features like parental controls and WPA3 encryption.

Eco-Friendly Choice: Feel good about purchasing a router made from recycled materials and sustainable packaging.

Using the AQUILA Pro M30-2PK

The first thing you notice when you open the box is the unique shape of the router. The device looks more like an ornament than an electronic device, which is ideal, especially when you don’t want to hide these away to ensure the best coverage.

We tested the M30-2PK, which is a 2-pack Mesh router. Traditionally, you have a router and a satellite with a Mesh router system. In the case of the D-Link, both units can be either, which removes any confusion as to which device needs to be connected to the NBN modem.

To explain a Mesh router: Imagine your Wi-Fi signal as a flashlight beam. Like a standard flashlight, a traditional router shines brightly in one direction, but the corners of the room stay dark. That happens when your Wi-Fi signal struggles to reach certain areas of your home, like that room furthest from the router.

A mesh router system is like having multiple flashlights strategically placed around the room. Each unit (called a node) works together to create a blanket of Wi-Fi, eliminating those dark corners and ensuring a strong, consistent signal everywhere you go, all using the same SSID.

At the start of this review, we talked about wanting a router that worked well out of the box. To extend that, we also want an affordable router, and at $400, the Aquila 2-pack mesh system is affordable to ensure that the NBN speed you pay for gets all around your house. I have a 2 story house, and the 2 pack adequately covered our Wi-Fi needs. D-Link quotes the 2-pack covering 465 square metres and the 3-pack ($550) covering up to 650 metres.

Setting up the Aquila was simple, using the downloadable App and your smartphone. Once you open the App, you are offered a user-friendly menu of options. D-Link has been clever in using AI in the background to modify settings automatically to optimise performance, so you don’t have to worry about the more technical settings.

What you can access allows you to switch on a Guest network, Client Priority and Parental control.

We especially liked the parental control settings as they were easy to follow and included. Many other vendors have very complicated settings or charge you extra for parental control.

A feature we did not think we would use but is there is Voice control. This allows your router to be paired with Google Home or Amazon Alexa smart homes so you can talk to your router. E.g. “turn off guest network”

We did a range test and found that the Aquila was within a metre or two of a Mesh Router package from another vendor that cost more than 3 times the price. As for speed, the capabilities exceed any NBN speed that can be subscribed to, so your internet plan is more likely to be your limiting factor.

Who is a D-Link Aquila PRO AI AX3000 for?

Overall, the D-Link Aquila AX3000 is a powerful Wi-Fi 6 router perfect for homes and small businesses with multiple devices that need speed and reliable coverage. Its smart features and eco-conscious design make it an even more attractive option. It looks good, works well and is simple to operate, but let’s face it, once you set it up, you may not touch it again for years, and this router meets the bill.

D-link Eagle Pro AI M32 review

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We are a big fan of the Eagle Pro AI range of routers at Small Business Answers. We have previously reviewed the D-Link M15 mesh router solution in the range for our sister publication GadgetGuy. As a small business, you may not understand what a wireless network router is or how important it is in running your business. In this review of the D-Link Eagle Pro AI M32, we will cut through the jargon and share with you the benefits of rolling out a Mesh Wi-Fi solution.

What is a Mesh Wi-Fi router?

Let’s start by talking about the problem you are solving. Employees need to connect to the internet and share information within your business location. The device they are using could be a barcode scanner, an eftpos terminal, a tablet, a PC, a printer a shared data storage solution.

To achieve this, you need a Wi-Fi router. A Wi-Fi router takes a single connection from most likely the NBN or could be a 4G/5G mobile data hotspot. And share that internet access either by Ethernet cable or a Wi-Fi signal. A router takes one connection and allows multiple devices to connect to it whilst being a traffic cop to ensure everything runs smoothly.

A Mesh Wi-Fi router allows you to have several Satellite boxes spread around your premises to extend the Wi-Fi range. Thus, you could have good Wi-Fi coverage in your showroom, back office and warehouse. Each satellite needs to be in good Wi-Fi range of each other, and this will be around 15-20 meters depending on interference like walls which reduce the signal strength. The Satellites can also be linked by Ethernet cable, allowing you to place a satellite out of Wi-Fi range.

Mesh makes extending your Wi-Fi network across a greater area easier and allows your connected devices to connect seamlessly. Older extender devices were hard to set up, and your devices did not like switching between the router and different extenders.

WHY should you consider a D-Link M32?

The D-Link M32 is D-Links fastest speed W-Fi Mesh solution. It supports a 2.4Ghz (will provide a greater range) up to data transfer speeds of 800Mbps and 5Ghz (faster speeds) up to 2400Mbps Wi-Fi frequencies.

The M32 3-pack will give you Wi-Fi coverage in a larger area up to 710 square metres for a small business or a home.

Suppose you have lots of devices that will share your mesh system. In that case, the M32 can support up to 8 simultaneous data streams with its antenna configuration. This is double what was previously supported on their M15 model. Think of it as if you had 20 people in a room 8 conversations could be happening at once, whereas once only 4 could occur. You could have more than 100 devices connected to the mesh system; they would all have to take their turn but unlikely need to communicate all at once.

The latest Wi-Fi 6 standard is supported, which means any devices supporting Wi-Fi 6 will benefit from better security, improved coverage and faster throughput.

The Eagle Pro uses artificial intelligence. This is clever software that automatically makes things work better by adjusting the signals to improve your individual situation. Let’s say your business is in a busy industrial or retail complex where each other business has a Wi-Fi network. This will mean everyone is competing for radio frequencies or channels. The Eagle Pro will work out which channels others are not using and automatically use the least congested channels.

The M32 automatically moves your connected devices between the Wi-Fi bands to maximise performance. It will also recognise some applications need more bandwidth. The software ensures that devices needing lots of internet bandwidth get what it needs to work properly, like video conferencing.

What is in the Box?

The M32, also called Eagle Pro AI AX3200 Mesh system, is available in a 3-pack for $600 and a 2-pack for $449. Having the 3rd satellite will increase your coverage from up to 510 square meters to up to 710 square metres. Range depends on environmental factors such as electrical or radio interference and physical barriers like furniture, walls, floors, or windows.

The tested 3 pack has 3 satellites with power packs, an Ethernet cable and a simple start-up sheet.

Extending your coverage further is simply a matter of adding an additional satellite. D-Link makes this simple by offering a whole range of Eagle Pro products which will all work together to expand your mesh solution.

The M32 has a 2 Gigabit LAN (local area network) port on each satellite so devices like a printer or shared storage device can easily be connected. This is useful if the device you want to connect does not support Wi-Fi. Alternatively, network traffic for the connected device is expected to be very high. Meaning it does not have to wait for its turn to communicate via Wi-Fi.

Using the D-Link Eagle Pro AI M32

All the Eagle Pro products from D-Link use the same smartphone App to set up your new router. Unlike previous mesh multipacks from D-Link, any of the 2 or 3 included 16 x 7 x 19cm satellites can be used as the box you connect to the internet. This is done with a supplied Ethernet cable that connects to your NBN modem and the yellow Ethernet port on the rear of your M32 box. Plug in the router and press the power switch next to the cable input.

After installing and opening the Eagle Pro AI app, you must scan a QR code on your phone located at the bottom of the device. The app then asks if you are setting up a new network or extending an existing one. Now simply follow the instruction on your smartphone screen, and the default answers will work well.

Once your first satellite is activated, the app will prompt you to set up additional units. You will know if the additional satellite is in Wi-Fi range when you power it up, and a solid white LED is displayed on the top of the new satellite.

You can set up a guest network to keep guests separate from your business devices and information. For example, allow cafe customers to access the internet. You can also limit customers’ speed to keep the best performance for the business. The guest’s access setup is as simple as scanning a QR code.

The Eagle Pro-AI app for your smartphone will allow you to customise your setup, receive notifications & usage reports, and set up schedules and block certain sites.

Our Take

Your small business, whether on dedicated premises or in a home, needs fast, reliable internet access. To achieve this, you want a reliable, simple to set up and run Wi-Fi router that will provide fast internet to allow all users to do their job.

The Eagle Pro AI M32 from D-Link is such a device using the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, Mesh technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ensure everything in the background runs well. This Mesh solution will ensure devices do not suffer from congestion and are usable throughout your entire office area.

The M32 is cost-effective, is part of an excellent ecosystem that gives you expansion options and is easy to set up.