D-Link DFL-210

D-Link DFL-210

The smallest unit of the D-Link NetDefend family, the DFL-210 is a dark gray metal box about 6 x 8 in., second largest of the group tested but still relatively small. All the connections are in the back with lights for power and status, Ethernet, WAN and DMZ ports on the front. Air vents on both ends and the top mean you need to place the unit in the open for air flow. Included are two Ethernet patch cables, the power supply and a documentation CD. Unfortunately, the Quick Installation Guide is only on CD, with no paper version. Worse, the guide has errors. Also included are a Firewall Registration Manual (that's on paper) and a serial console cable for a command line interface. The last two items give a strong clue to the strength of the DFL-210 -- it's much more a complex firewall that supports dual-WAN connections than a small business router with a firewall. D-Link's marketing says this is a Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) product, but nothing could be further from the truth. The most difficult of all units tested to install and configure, this unit will frustrate most small businesses that try to install it themselves.