The DCM-201 connects to your computer's Ethernet port or card via its Ethernet or USB port.
1 Great Modem
I was able to purchase this modem for $30 less than the regular price so I'm very pleased. Setup and installation were extremely easy. Everything was up and running literally within 5 minutes of opening the box. The transfer rates seem fine and it is just as reliable as I could ask for. Other reviewers have commented on it getting too hot, but my moden doesn't seem to get any warmer than any others that I've owned, so this hasn't been a problem at all. Really you can't go wrong with this modem.
2 Works fine - until heat problems started
A cable modem is a fairly uninteresting beast. It pretty much works or it doesn't. This modem caused no problems for about 3 months of operation then just died. Reboot. Dead. Reboot. Dead. Turn it off for a while. Alive for 5 minutes - then dead. Have temporarily solved the problem by yanking the circuit board out of the case, hooking up all the connectors and hanging it in front of a small fan. It's not elegant - but it's been up ever since.
Maybe their newer model (which looks to have some holes in the case) doesn't have this issue. Maybe I have a lemon. It's a really nice aluminum case - just doesn't seem to allow for cooling.
3 HOT! HOT! HOT!
The transfer rates of this modem are great but this modem gets way too hot. This modem had to be placed on the floor far from the computer. I returned this modem and got a Linksys and the heat problem is gone. This DLink modem can't be stacked because of the heat
4 Very Easy to Install
Heck I didn't even have to install this. My cable guy came over to install the new Internet connection and he actually installed the modem. I watched how he did it and bascially all he did was plug in the cable, the ethernet, and the power and that was it.
There isn't much more to say about this. It looks cool on my desk, it is a nice hard metal and seems very sturdy. Sometimes it feels nice and warm on the outside, but it doesn't effect he performance from what I can tell.
5 What Great Cable Modem
This Modem was and is very easy to use. You just plug it in and you never touch it afterwards. Basically it connects to your ISP automatically and serves up your internet blazing fast. I used to use the modem that our ISP provided, but I did the math and it turns out to be cheaper if you buy your own instead of paying $5/month for theirs. Plus this router matches my D-Link home network so everything looks uniform on my desk.
6 Plug and Play Internet
I used to have a cable modem that was provided by my cable company but I didn't want to pay the monthly lease fee anymore so I went out and bought this D-Link Cable Modem. I wasn't sure what all I had to do to get it to work, but when I asked a more computer knowledgable friend he said I just needed to plug it in and it will automatically configure itself.
So that's all I did. I called my cable company and told them I'd be switching modems, they wanted some long number off the back of the modem and said I was all set to go. So I plugged in the coax cable on the modem and plugged in the power. Within the next 10 seconds I was connected tot he Internet again.
Very easy.
