Inside the DI-713's box, one will find the DI-713 itself, a product CD, two CAT-5 cables, a power adapter, a user's manual and a neat little "Getting Started" poster. It's good to see that D-Link includes two CAT-5 cables so that users can get started with their two computers immediately. Also, the "Getting Started" poster is surely unique as it steers away from the conventional 4-page looks-like-it-was-made-last-minute getting started guides from most other products. It is also very useful in that it gives the user some important instructions such as the device's default IP address (so that you can access it to configure it) and, for new users, it also outlines how to go about setting up Windows' network configuration for your network.

The manual was also very well-written and can guide the user through setting up the hardware aspect of the DI-713 and also outlines the different configuration screens that one can find in its web interface. Missing, however, is a troubleshooting section that would have helped users if they ran into common problems.

The DI-713 itself is a dark grey, long and flat device that'll take up quite a bit of space on your desk. Like the Barricade, the DI-713 has its ports at the front, which means that your network cables will take up more desk space than if they were hanging off from the back and from the side of the desk. Also at the front are the status LED's. This, I like, since having them at the front makes it easier to see them than having them at the top, like the Barricade does.

At the rear are two rotating antennas for communication with IEEE 802.11b wireless network adapters. Also at the rear is the COM port for plugging in your analog modem--if you don't have a broadband connection-and a power switch.

On to: Powering Up...