Tenda D301 Wireless N300 ADSL2+ Modem Router Review

Introduction

Once in a while I get a product in for review that isn’t the newest and today is one of those times. I’m taking a closer look at Tenda’s D301 ADSL2+ Wireless Modem Router. This isn’t one of those routers one would run out and buy, but it could very well be the one your internet service provider is giving you.

The feature with the Tenda D301 is that is a combination of modem and router in one, effectively giving you an ADSL 2/2+ modem with router functionality and 4-port switch in one device. This certainly beats having both an ADSL modem and a router next to each other.

It comes with two external 5dBi antennas and supports MIMO technology that uses signal reflections to reduce dead spots and provide better wireless performance, coverage, and transmission rates.

The security part is covered pretty well with port filter, URL filter, and MAC filter. The wireless connection can be encrypted with a 64 to 128-bit WEP, WPA, or WPA2 password. Speaking of wireless, the Tenda D301 Wireless Modem Router only provides the 2.4GHz band with a transfer rate of 300Mbps.

IPTV is also supported on this router and it comes with a built-in USB 2.0 port for easy file sharing from flash drives to all connected devices, that could be both PCs and mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

The four LAN ports are only 100Mbps, but that isn’t all to bad when you think about it. If you only got an ADSL connection and only use the network to connect to the internet, then you don’t need any more. The fourth LAN port doubles as a WAN port when used as just a router and the first LAN port has built-in functionality for IPTV. VLANs are supported and so are virtual servers and PPPTP, L2TP, and IPSec VPN pass-throughs.. It supports Dynamic IP, Static IP. PPPoE, and IPoA internet connections.

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You get individual LEDs for every port and function as well as a 6000V lightning protection that will help to protect connected devices from overcurrents in case the installation should be the victim in a thunderstorm.

Key Functions

ADSL2/ADSL2+ Modem, Router and 4-port Switch in one
IPTV support
USB Sharing
Lightning Protection

Packaging and Accessories

The packaging looks like what those of most routers do. An image of the device on the front as well as a basic summary of the key functions.

On the rear of the package, you find a little more information about what it does, where you could connect what and all that in several languages.

Inside the box, we find an RJ45 LAN cable, an RJ11 cable, and an ADSL splitter as well as the power supply unit. There’s also a manual disk with a user guide and setup wizard for quick installation and a printed quick install guide.

User Interface

The user interface on the Tenda D301 Wireless Modem Router is very simple as we see right from the start where we are presented with the login screen. The default login information can be found in the quickstart guide and you should remember to change the password as well as check for possible firmware updates on the manufacturers homepage.

The first page that we’re presented with when we login is the quick setup guide. It will show us what ports have cables plugged in and we can set the basic information such as country, ISP, login type and wireless security password. All important settings.

Pressing the IPTV button at the top right will take you to the window you see below, which just is a page on the normal advanced view. It is just a shortcut as it might be one often used.

Switching to the advanced view and we see all functions and features. It starts with basic device info such as versions, uptime, driver version, and WAN information.

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Moving on, we find the LAN, WAN, and xDSL statistics.

We can also watch the route settings, ARP device info, and DHCP clients.

Advanced Setup

The Advanced Setup menu point is where you find most features. The screenshots speak for themselves, so I’ll just let you scroll slowly past them and see for yourself.

The USB port can be used both for printers and storage. You can also use this modem router to turn your old USB printer into a fresh network capable printer instead and be able to print from any device that is connected.