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Installation
Installation of the D-Link home network per se is extremely straightforward. The main problem we encountered on both cards was that the contact side of the PCB had a few edges sticking out, making it impossible to insert the cards into the PCI slots. Some sandpaper and a file solved this problem but grinding down computer components is not everyone’s favorite past time occupation and finish is really something that the manufacturer should take serious.
After physical installation of the cards, the rest of the installation worked exactly as described in the manual. This is, indeed, worth mentioning since the manual actually consists of a consecutive series of screenshots, making the installation as easy as one could possibly wish. In other words, setting up the network can be accomplished in a matter of 30 min, including opening the case and putting everything back together. As soon as both computers were restarted and connected to the same phone line, both showed up in the Network Neighborhood and with file and printer sharing enabled full exchange between both machines was functional. As a test, we played Unreal Tournament off the respective other machine which went without a glitch.
But halt, wasn’t there something?
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Modem Conflicts
No matter how perfect one solution is, there is always something that doesn’t work and in this case, it is not the network that has a problem but the modem. It is explicitly stated in the manual that the network can be run simultaneous with an existing modem. While this is true, there are a few caveats. Not every modem we tried worked after installation of the network cards. This may depend on the particular hardware configuration of the system but e.g. the Gateway Telepath 2x (ISA) as well as the Diamond SupraExpress (PCI), both WinModems, lost their functionality after installation of the DHN-910 network cards. The AOpen World Link WinModem worked flawlessly.
Internet Access Sharing
Once the possible network / modem conflicts have been eliminated, the installation of the included Midpoint Lite software for internet access sharing can be accomplished in a few minutes. Once again, the manual is as good as one could possibly make one. In addition to the printed version, the same manual is included on the CD. Instead of relying on verbal communication, the manual follows the principle of consecutive screenshots so that the user is basically watching a slow motion, stop action picture in which the necessary steps are hi-lighted. Frankly, there isn’t any better way of doing it. Midpoint Lite, though, has the strange side effect that the internet connection can no longer be launched from within IE or Netscape but needs to be started from within Midpoint.
Modem Sharing
There are a few additional goodies in the package. The most intriguing benefit is modem sharing. Modem sharing essentially means that if, within the network, several PCs are connected via modem to the internet, the network will pool the resources and enable simultaneous shared downloading of files / webpage access through the pooled resources of all modems on the network. Very nifty, indeed.
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