D-Link first to market with 2.0 upgrades for Draft 802.11N products

In addition to providing compliance with the latest version of the 802.11n specification, the firmware and driver upgrades have achieved Intel® 'Connect with Centrino®' certification to ensure compatibility and interoperability with Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N.

The 2.0 draft of the 802.11n specification brings the industry closer to final ratification, providing the next set of technical requirements for enhancing existing draft 11n products. The technical changes occurring between the draft 1.0 and 2.0 deal primarily with the protection of the legacy devices, including the requirement for Clear Channel Assessment (CCA), which D-Link was already offering in 1.0 products when the protection mechanisms were still optional. D-Link's commitment to providing the best performance and protection in the industry for both new draft 11n and legacy 802.11b/g products has enabled the company to be first to market with the 2.0 upgrades.

To secure the "Connect with Centrino" certifications from Intel, D-Link's Xtreme N router and wireless adapters were rigorously tested and verified for compatibility with Intel's Next-Gen Wireless N in Intel's intensive real-world testing utilizing typical home and enterprise environment scenarios conducted over several months.  In Intel's testing process, D-Link's Xtreme N products met or exceeded Intel's requirements for performance, extended range, co-existence with other 802.11b/g clients and access points, and the ability to eliminate Wi-Fi dead spots.

"We're happy to be first to market with draft 2.0 11n products and to associate with Intel in delivering products and technologies that deliver on the promise of convergence in home networking communications,"

said Fateen A. Fateen, Chairman of D-Link Middle East. "Introducing the next stage of technology with the 2.0 draft compliance along with passing Intel's rigorous pathway to certification validates the efforts that D-Link has invested in its products to meet the 802.11n specification in terms of high speed, extended range, reliability and interoperability.
D-Link's 1.0 products and 2.0 upgrades are based on Atheros' XPAN® draft 11n technologies which feature legacy protection with Clear
Channel Assessment.

Now available among the products which are compatible with the 2.0 802.11n draft and certified in the "Connect with Centrino" program is the D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit Router - DIR-655. Connected to a cable or DSL model, this router provides high-speed Internet access to multiple computers, game consoles and media players and creates a secure wireless network to share photos, files, music, videos, printer and network storage.