Hi
Just thought I would post my experience and hopefully get some answers.
Had Netgear router, replaced with DIR615 from VM. Firmware 1.00VG (May 2009). Really miffed that the router did not support loopback.
As a secondary school teacher I create many sites for learning purposes but annoyed at having to constantly update the hosts file to test my creations. Even more annoyed that my iPodTouch and HTC Wildfire cannot see my sites internally - especially as I am trying to develop android apps. Even more annoyed that the HTC cannot be used behind a proxy server in school. Tried downloading many apps to circumvent this, including downloading Opera. As Opera is basically a proxy, I thought I would try it inside my LAN at home to view my sites - hey presto it worked. So I downloaded Opera to my laptop to see if that would also allow access, I deleted the references to my sites in the hosts file - hey presto it worked again (but this time in IE!). Now I thought that maybe loopback was working - so I tried the Safari browser on my iPodTouch - again success.
The last time that I tried this was yesterday - and had the familiar "can't do it" screen - or an endless wait in the browser. So something has changed since yesterday - and I am unsure as to what it is. I have not updated any firmware on any item - I need to keep it simple so don't try workarounds in firmware (android or other).
I would like to think that the installation and use of Opera on the HTC was responsible for kickstarting the DIR615 into loopback - but maybe I am just being optimistic. I cannot seem to get back to not having loopback to test the theory.
So far it has worked on all my devices - iPodTouch, HTC, 3 Laptops (Vista, Windows 7) and my desktop (XP).
Has Virgin pushed something to my router? Does Opera kickstart loopback in routers? I am totally bemused - but happy.
My point is - the DIR615 does have loopback - it has suddenly started working without any firmware change - or flashing of ROMs - or any other technical jiggery pokery on my behalf.
It is not the best router by far, it is free, and now that it has loopback, fulfills all my needs. And to think, I was considering complaining and buying a new one only yesterday. Divine intervention or what?