Can't mix 802.11g and 802.11n on Wireless-N router?

I recently bought a D-Link DIR-628. The setup in our apartment is:

- HP notebook, Vista: 802.11 a/b/g
- Macbook, Snow Leopard: 802.11 a/b/g/n
- Xbox Elite w/ Wireless-N adapter: 802.11 a/b/g/n

I was under the impression that I could use the HP notebook on the 2.5GHz band, and use the Xbox and the Macbook on the 5GHz band. But in the router setup, when choosing the 5GHz band, the only modes I can select are '802.11a only', '802.11n only' or 'Mixed 802.11a and 802.11n'.

It is only when I choose 2.5GHz band that I can use the 'Mixed 802.11g and 802.11n' mode.

I'm new to Wireless-N and speak of 5GHz band, but I read that other routers can run both bands at the same time. Is this not the case with my router?

Under wireless status, under router setup, both wireless-n capable devices (Xbox and Macbook) are both only running at 2.5GHz.

If I want my Xbox and the Macbook to run at N-performance, am I going to have to run my HP notebook at 802.11a (and use the 'Mixed 802.11a and 802.11n' mode)?

 

DIR-628 you can toggle between the two frequencies, it won't do both at once. You need something like the DIR-825 which will do both simultaneously.

 

Upon reading this, I looked for the receipt but it's past the 30 days for a return or exchange. Oh well. I should've researched it a little more beforehand.

Would switching to 5GHz band and Mixed a&n mode greatly reduce the signal/speed to the HP notebook if it were to run at A-performance (while the Xbox and Macbook run at N)?

Thank you for your response.

 

Shouldn't be an issue. Just A doesn't travel nearly as far.

 

Well then, that's good to know. I'm usually 6-10 feet away from the router anyway, and our apartment is pretty small anyway.

Thanks again!

 

No problem. Like to help a fellow Michigander (live in Metro Detroit).