Product Description

The D-Link RangeBooster N Dual Band Router (DIR-628) is designed for users looking to create a high-performance wireless network. Connect the RangeBooster N Dual Band Router to a cable or DSL modem and provide high-speed Internet access to multiple computers, game consoles, and media players. Create a secure wireless network to share photos, files, music, printers, and more, from greater distances throughout your entire home or office1. We¿ve also included a QoS engine that prioritizes time-sensitive online traffic to enable smooth Internet phone calls (VoIP) and responsive gaming.

Product Details

• Brand: D-Link
• Model: DIR-628
• Platform: Windows
• Format: CD
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 4.57" h x 1.18" w x 7.55" l, 1.75 pounds

Features

• Dual Band N is the latest addition to the RangeBooster N product family. The dual band technology in the DIR-628 supports selectable 2.4GHz or 5GHz wireless signals.
• The RangeBooster N Router supports the latest wireless security features to help prevent unauthorized access, be it from over a wireless network or from the Internet.
• Delivering unmatched wireless performance, network security, and coverage, the RangeBooster N Dual Band Router (DIR-628) is ideal for networking in larger homes and offices.

Manufacturer Description
The D-Link RangeBooster N Dual Band Router (DIR-628) is designed for users looking to create a high-performance wireless network. Connect the RangeBooster N Dual Band Router to a cable or DSL modem and provide high-speed Internet access to multiple computers, game consoles, and media players. Create a secure wireless network to share photos, files, music, printers, and more, from greater distances throughout your entire home or office**. We've also included a QoS engine that prioritizes time-sensitive online traffic to enable smooth Internet phone calls (VoIP) and responsive gaming.

Dual Band Wireless Coverage
Dual Band N is the latest addition to the RangeBooster N product family. The dual band technology in the DIR-628 supports selectable 2.4GHz or 5GHz wireless signals. This allows you to check e-mail and browse the Internet using the 2.4GHz band or stream HD movies and other media on the 5GHz band. 5GHz is ideal for wirelessly streaming multiple HD videos across your network. It helps avoid interference by providing a clearer wireless band for HD signals than existing 802.11g products.

Advanced Network Security
The RangeBooster N Router supports the latest wireless security features to help prevent unauthorized access, be it from over a wireless network or from the Internet. Support for WPA and WPA2 standards ensure that you will be able to use the best possible encryption, regardless of your client devices. In addition, this RangeBooster N router utilizes dual active Firewalls (SPI and NAT) to help prevent potential attacks from across the Internet. Delivering unmatched wireless performance, network security, and coverage, the RangeBooster N Dual Band Router (DIR-628) is ideal for networking in larger homes and offices.

Shareport
With SharePort technology you can connect a USB printer or storage device to your router and allow users to access them from anywhere on the network. Conveniently turn your existing USB printers and storage devices into network devices for everyone to share.

Professional Strength Internet Security And Parental Control Services
SecureSpot 2.0 proactively protects ALL networked devices in the home. It not only safeguards PCs like traditional Internet Security Suites, but also protects Mac's and browser-enabled devices such as Game Consoles. Integrating Internet Security and Parental Controls into the router and utilizing services in-the-cloud lightens the load on the PC and brings professional strength technology to the consumer.

Features include:

• World class parental controls
• Safe surfing/searching
• Remote management
• AntiVirus/AntiSpyware protection with McAfee technology
• Internet usage time scheduling and activity reporting
• Web-managed firewall
• Access control for Internet usage
• Application control (blocking and scheduling)
• Spam control
• Identity protection

What this product does:

• Delivers up to 12x faster speeds** and 4x farther range** than 802.11g
• Dual Band N technology enables HD video streaming, file sharing, enhanced Internet phone calling (VoIP), and Web surfing
• Access a secure wireless network using advanced WPA or WPA2 encryption
• Easy to install and use with the D-Link Quick Router Setup Wizard or using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)
• Backward compatible with 802.11g devices including game consoles and digital media players

NOTES:
* Requires SharePort Client Utility installation on the PC. SharePort upgrade is available for the hardware versions A1, A2.
** Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11g and draft 802.11n specifications. Actual data throughput will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate. Environmental factors will adversely affect wireless signal range. Wireless range and speed rates are D-Link relative performance measurements based on the wireless range and speed rates of an 802.11g Wireless G product from D-Link.

Customer Reviews

Fast and lots of features
I am in the business of IT and telecom.
I have used some other high end WiFi AP and routers in my days.
This DLink 628, even though just a consumer unit, has blurred the line between professional and consumer use wifi routers.
The setup is a breeze. I was up and running (using Mac), without the set up CD, in less than 3 min.
First on speed, it is fast. Side by side testing with the Dlink DIR655, they are both the same speed with all of the config being the same.

The QoS feature is wonderful, you can prioritize by IP to many tiers. So now when my kids are playing games with voice and video, my html browsing can have priority over them. (Since in routing, the voice and video gets priority in getting transferred.)
All in all, this is a wonderful unit for the price (only $75 now on Amazon).
I would buy this one over the DIR 655 since I really don't see any speed improvement on the 655 but almost twice the price.
I give it 5 stars and highly recommend it as a good buy.

Not true dual-band support
Unfortunately, even though this is among the very few Wireless-N routers that can do dual-band, it is falsely advertised. You have to select between 2.4 and 5 GHz outright, and cannot use both simultaneously. As a result, to take advantage of 5 GHz, every single connected device must not only have Wireless-N capability, but also Wireless-N dual-band capability, and set to function at 5 GHz. Even just one 2.4 GHz device, whether 802.11b, g or n, spoils the whole dual-band feature and you're back to having a plain vanilla Wireless-N router. Don't be fooled by this cheap marketing gimmick. D-Link plainly and simply cut corners to keep the cost down, mooting the dual-band feature for almost every single customer.

Not bad, but not an amazing leap in technology either.
My experience with the DIR-628 is mixed. It's a feature-filled router that may be wonderful, if you have all the parts to make it so.

Background: I am an intermediate to advanced computer user with two desktops and two laptops on a wireless home network. I replaced a 4 year old Buffalo brand wireless router with the D-Link and had high hopes of increased Internet speeds, increased range and increased security for all of the computers on my network.

I read the directions and manual prior to attempting setup, which definitely helps anyone setup a home network. Dual band (selective) is clearly explained in the manual which comes on the CD included with the router.

First, the promises. Up to 12x's faster speeds and 4x's farther range. I did note a nice speed jump on all the computers. I already have a high speed connection (250-300Mbps) so it didn't make a huge difference, but about 20-30% faster. Range is a tough one. I note the signal is stronger than the older router, but I didn't roam across the street with a laptop to check it. RE: MIMO technology - I didn't notice any dead spots in my one level house, however I didn't notice them before either.

On the box it says "You may need DWA-160 (usb adaptor)" to get more out of your network. Also under Recommended System Requirements on the side of the box it says "For Optimal Wireless Performance: Use with Dual Band N USB Adapter (DWA-160. REMEMBER: your wireless network is only as strong as your weakest link. If you have all of your computers running 802.11g... and one running 802.11n (draft), you'll only get the slower speed. Right now these adapters are about $80 each. Unless you need faster and can afford it, the `n' wireless setup might not be for you.

Second, `easy to install'. Yes and no. The CD with the setup on it (run it on your main computer before you do anything else) has clear directions and pictures which help.

The included Network Magic software is friendly, but it's trialware and will require you to purchase it after a 30 day trial. Not good in my opinion since you basically have all you need for seeing and maintaining a network through Vista or XP. It is visually appealing though, which made me install it...and then uninstall it when I figured out what it was and that I really didn't need it.

The setup worked and I was up, but then I was down. I had to reset the router and/or cable modem multiple times.

The router seemed unstable. I wonder if it was the "advanced WPA/WPA2" encryption or the two firewalls? Security is a frustrating...er, wonderful thing.

Third, the dual band feature. It's there and you can set it to either the 2.4GHz band for email and internet or you can select the 5GHz band for streaming HD video (not terribly useful yet for me...) and enhanced VoIP (Internet voice phone calling). It would also be good if you wanted to add a home surveillance setup which uses Internet cameras. I think it's on the cusp of something great, but misses the mark.

Finally, I had high hopes for something new and better, but frankly I don't think it's worth more than an average wireless router pricetag. If it came with an `n' usb dual band adaptor I'd think that would help, as would automatic dual band as part of the deal.

It is backward compatible and there is a slight speed bump from the `g' wireless (or at least it seemed so momentarily until the router went offline...), but in the end I took it off the network and I setup a Linksys router with the same security features, with much less hassle.

If you have dual band 'n' wireless throughout your home or office, this router might be worth a try if the price is right, but for me with my eclectic mix of new and old, I would not recommend buying this router until you have all the other new wireless dual band, rangebooster technology to go with it.