The next-generation Dual Band 802.11n Draft N Router enables home users state-of-the-art performance and protection to browse the Internet, send emails and share files while simultaneously streaming high definition movies, music and online games to ensure all applications run smoothly over the wireless network.

"The digital home is becoming a reality with recent advancements in rich media and digital communications where the key point of convergence is relying on networking gear that seamlessly connects various technologies in a single unified communication network," said AJ Wang, chief technology officer of D-Link. "We're addressing this emerging home market with the introduction of the D-Link DIR-855, which simultaneously uses two radio bands for optimized home media networking, combined with a standard-based high-speed gigabit switch, a hardware Internet firewall, and a quality of service engine that delivers the most advanced networking solution for consumers on the market.

"The dual band design, along with the latest advances in the draft 11n wireless standard, helps us bring to market a very advanced router capable of handling the most bandwidth-intensive applications such as high-definition media streaming, online gaming and more," added Wang.

The new D-Link Draft N router also deploys the most advanced Quality of Service (QoS) hardware and software technology that automatically prioritizes high-bandwidth, latency-sensitive wireless data traffic, providing digital home consumers with an unsurpassed user experience that delivers smooth streaming HD video, lag-free gaming and jitter-free voice over Internet (VoIP) calls.

The D-Link Draft N Router is a draft 802.11n compliant device that delivers faster speeds and farther range than 802.11g home networks while maintaining complete backward compatibility with 802.11g devices. Connect the Draft N Router to a cable or DSL modem and provide high-speed Internet access to the Internet, multiple computers, media players, and other wireless-ready devices in the home. Create a secure wireless network to share photos, files, music, videos, printers, and network storage.

The Draft N Router ships with a 4-port 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet switch. In addition, the Draft N offer support for advanced wireless security, including WEP, WPA and WPA2 standards to ensure the network is protected. To prevent inevitable attacks from the Internet, the Draft N Router uses Dual Active Firewalls (SPI, NAT) Technology to help secure the entire network and personal user information.

Key Features and Benefits:

* Superior performance over competing draft 802.11n routers with simultaneous dual band (2.4 and 5GHz) operation
* Wi-Fi Protected Setup to quickly and easily create and connect to a secure wireless network

* Intelligent Wireless Prioritization Technology

* Award-winning QoS engine ensures digital telephony "clear calls" and accelerates seamless interactive processing of packets in applications like online gaming and other remote data intensive connectivity processing delivering an outstanding Internet experience

* Works with existing wireless 802.11g devices

* Gigabit Ethernet ports for optimal speed for wired network

* Advanced wireless network security with WPA or WPA2 encryption

* Dual active firewalls to protect network from Internet attacks

* Expanded home wireless coverage

* New simple and easy installation with D-Link Quick Router Setup

Price and Availability

The D-Link Dual-Band Wireless Router (DIR-855) is expected to ship in late Q1 to the company's network of retail outlets, value-added resellers and distributors. Pricing will be announced when the product ships.