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| D-Link DIR-628 RangeBooster N Dual Band Router with 4-Port 10/100 Switch, 2 Antennas and Dual Band Draft 802.11n | 
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| List Price: $119.99
Buy New: $75.99
You Save: $44.00 (37%)
Buy New from $75.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 10 reviews)
Sales Rank: 3092
Category: CE
Publisher: D-Link Systems, Inc.
Studio: D-Link Systems, Inc.
Brand: D-Link
Label: D-Link Systems, Inc.
Media: Electronics
Autographed: 0
Memorabilia: 0
Special Features: nv:Device Type^Wireless Router|Wireless Network Standards^IEEE 802.11g|Wireless Network Standards^IEEE 802.11b|Wireless Network Standards^IEEE 802.11a|Wireless Network Standards^IEEE 802.11n|Wireless Data Transfer Rates^300 Mbps|Security Protocols^WPA|Security Protocols^WPA2|Routing / Firewall Protoccols^Network Address Translation (NAT)|Firewall Features^MAC Address Filtering|Firewall Features^Domain Blocking|Firewall Features^Scheduling
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 1.2 x 4.6
MPN: DIR-628
Model: DIR-628
UPC: 790069314568
EAN: 0790069314568
ASIN: B001B99I34
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| 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. |
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| Editorial Reviews:
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 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 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. 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. Backward compatible with 802.11g devices including game consoles and digital media players
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
Best value for money in its class September 5, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Setup of the DIR-628 was a breeze; it replaced an existing router, and I was able to get it up and running in about 10 minutes. The router looks fairly bland, but most people will have their router locked away in a cabinet anyway.
The DIR-628 does not offer Gigabit network ports, which would have made it the perfect router in this price range. The user interface is very easy to navigate and there are no long reboots after you change each setting, like on other brands of routers.
The wireless performance is impressive; I switched from a different brand router, and my wireless range has doubled with this device. I tested it using my Dell laptop with 802.11n, and the range/speed was perfect. In my house, I also have several 802.11g devices, but when they connect, the router speed drops to this slower network system and the 802.11n does not come to its full potential.
Being able to switch to 802.11n on the 5GHz band is the perfect solution for anyone who lives in an area with a lot of other wireless devices, as the 5GHz band is barely used, but it is fairly useless if you are in an area with little to no other wireless. The 5GHz band is also not supported by all that many devices, in my case I had to leave it on 2.4GHz to support my Tivo and other wireless devices.
All in all a great router, a great price, and something that would be worth 5 stars if it had Gigabit network ports.
 A Very Good Router September 4, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This duel band router seems to be quite a deal, less than a hundred bucks, but sadly it can't broadcast both bands at once. That being said it seems fast, faster than the aging router I replaced. However, I'd upgraded my computer six months ago and was using the old router with the new machine, now I'm really up to speed.
This black router is seems a bit thin compared to my old one, but it works great. Setting it up was a breeze thanks to the setup wizard. Once I finished the wizard saved my settings, then I was taken into a browser like utility and the D-Link tools and more wizards which walk you the firewall, MAC filtering, how you want the router to broadcast (I picked 5GHz) and the router's other tools.
Important for me was how far the router broadcast and this one passed the test in my house. I have it in the living room, where the cable comes in and I have no problem getting a signal way out in my backyard. In fact, I went next door and was still getting my signal just fine and I have given my gal pal's daughter who lives there the password, she just got a laptop for college and is stoked that she'll be getting the internet for free.
This is a good router. It does what it's supposed to do and it does it well. The only drawback is that it doesn't broadcast in both bands at once, one or the other, for me it's not a problem, but it might be for you.
I'm in Internet Heaven September 3, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Sometimes I wonder why I ask for software and other techie items to review. I'm not really qualified. My hubby Dub is the tech guy in our family. He sets the stuff up and I use it. What's the point of a gal having a guy like that around if she doesn't take advantage.
Anyway, I stood behind him, bugging him, asking questions as he unboxed this router and set it up. It took him about fifteen minutes and I swear, not a swear word out of him and now my spanking new HP (also set up by Hubby Dub), runs a treat. 5 GHz is great, Explorer is snappier, pages open faster, I'm in internet heaven.
Reviewed by Captain Katie Osborne
Good Wireless N Dual Band Router September 1, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The D-Link DIR-628 RangeBooster N Dual Band Router with 4-Port 10/100 Switch, 2 Antennas and Dual Band Draft 802.11n is a great option for anyone looking to set up a wireless network in their home. Fitted with dual band support, this device will let you use old devices that depend on the G standard and the newer N standard as well. Setup is easy and straightforward on both Windows XP and Vista. You should be up and running within 20 minutes with this baby. The thing that is nice about D-Link is the price. You get the same technology at a better value and it will perform, no doubts about that.
If you need a wireless router for the home or office you owe it to yourself to take a look at this great product.
**** RECOMMENDED
Easy to install, great performance, flexible security features August 30, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
D-Link DIR-628 RangeBooster N Dual Band Router with 4-Port 10/100 Switch, 2 Antennas and Dual Band Draft 802.11n
Original firmware: 1.00 (Upgraded to 1.12)
Hardware version: A1
Bottom Line Up Front: Versatile WiFi router that offers maximum compatibility for most network devices and computers. I never ran into a problem using the Inspiron or iPod Touch on the WLAN. The only issue I encountered was with the VoIP modem, and was rectified when I changed the default IP for the DIR-628.
The D-Link DIR-628 Dual Band router is not capable of handling simultaneous 2.4 GHz / 5.8 GHz signals, but D-Link never claims this in the first place. Most of the common WiFi functions are typically handled (i.e. 802.11g) at 2.4 GHz, while 802.11n is in the 5.8 GHz frequency range. For the purpose of this review, I only utilized 802.11g devices consisting of an integrated Intel WiFi card in my Dell Inspiron E1505 and an Apple iPod Touch (Firmware 1.1.5). I evaluated the DIR-628 with a Motorola cable modem, Linksys 4-port wired router, and a D-Link switch as part of my LAN. In addition, I used the DIR-628 as a "master" router in a segregated network environment and as an additional switch. I upgraded the firmware to 1.12 (the latest official firmware as of this review) upon installing the router, but it came from the factory with 1.00. The reason I mention the hardware revision and firmware revision is that router manufacturers love to change suppliers throughout the lifecycle of a product.
In terms of security features, the DIR-628 offers all of the common security provisions for WLAN functions (Such as WAP/WAP2, AES, MAC filtering) and a NAT firewall. Since the built-in functions are not enough, network segregation is commonly recommended to protect sensitive computers within a wired LAN from potential WiFi access. One can find more information on network segregation by doing a Google search for this term.
D-Link makes numerous recommendations to using their CD to help set up the router. I consider myself an intermediate to advanced computer user, so I tossed the CD aside and manually installed the router. My LAN/WLAN was online within 15 minutes, so it is obvious the CD is not required. The DIR-628 has 4 Ethernet ports, 1 Ethernet "WAN" port, a USB port, and 2 antenna coaxial feeds. It also comes with a plastic stand that helps you mount the DIR-628 in a vertical position.
The DIR-628 menu interface is simple to manipulate, albeit slower than I would have liked. There are numerous options to play around with, such as setting up a schedule to turn your WiFi on or off depending on the day and time, as well as a MAC filter to allow or deny certain computers access to the router/network.
The WiFi and wired performance is exceptional. In a segregated network, I did not notice any network bottlenecks or connectivity issues operating my PCs from behind the Linksys router. The only issue that I did encounter was compatibility problems with a Sipura/Linksys SPA-2100 VoIP modem. It acted up when I configured both the DIR-628 and the Linksys in the segregated network. The SPA-2100 functioned when I had just 1 router in the network, but with both enabled it stopped working. After fiddling around with the configuration, I discovered the SPA-2100 only worked when connected to the "master" router and when no one else was using 192.168.0.1, which is its default gateway/IP address. The DIR-628 also happens to use that address as the default. Some people recommended manually configuring the SPA-2100, but that is not possible if your VoIP provider mandates automatic provisioning.
Pros: Easy to setup, no performance issues, flexible options for securing WiFi connectivity, attractive design. It comes with a useful router stand to facilitate vertical positioning of the router. The included Ethernet cable has the protective sleeves for the RJ-45 clips. The AC adapter is quite slim and does not take up any additional receptacles on a power strip or surge protector.
Cons: Menu interface can be sluggish, experienced some problems hooking up a Sipura SPA-2100 VoIP modem in a segregated network environment. The menu interface can also be threatening to a beginner, but offers enough options and selections to make it easy to use for an advanced user.
Overall: I was able to get the DIR-628 to function properly within a few hours operating in a slightly complex network configuration with over half a dozen computers/devices without experiencing any critical problems. I give it 4.5/5 stars. The star deduction is for the menu interface speed (which seems to be prevalent among many routers) and the dozen or so warning stickers/diagrams "requiring" that I use the CD to install the router.
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