802.11a/b dual band wireless nic

[NuTs62]

Netgear's card Linkage (http://www.netgear.com/pressroom/press_releasesdetail.asp?id=106)

SMC's card (http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?sec=About-SMC&pg=Press-Release-Details&pr_id=80&site=c)

sweetness!! along with those new dual-band access points/routers, i think i may try this!

what i wish they'd do is allow for those of us with the 802.11b standard to upgrade through firmware to the new 22mbps 802.11b's.. bah! anyone know if this is possible? or is it more based on the hardware side?

[spigidygak]

Its probably more of a hardware limitation, although there probably can be some tweaking with the bios. Just a side note, 802.11a is really bad on range. Since its a higher frequency it doesn't travel as far as well.

[OC]

I'm going to take the wireless plunge after I move. Wireless NICs at first - I won't need a WAP because I won't have broadband for a while. 22mbps is the speed I want. Some people have told me that D-Link has problems, but they get good reviews, and I like their prices.

Thoughts?

-OC

[Hoser]

The SMC link shows that this can operate to almost 1/3 of a mile. Is this a straight line measurement with no obstructions? Would something like this reach everyhere in a house (two stories with a basement)? Right now I'm stuck running cables everywhere since I'm in an apartment. When I move into a house this would be a better way to operate until outlets are placed in each room.

[spigidygak]

Originally posted by Hoser
The SMC link shows that this can operate to almost 1/3 of a mile. Is this a straight line measurement with no obstructions? Would something like this reach everyhere in a house (two stories with a basement)? Right now I'm stuck running cables everywhere since I'm in an apartment. When I move into a house this would be a better way to operate until outlets are placed in each room.

Thats in the absolute most perfect situation. Most likely it'll drop WAAAAAY down once you introduce insulation, walls and other electronic devices spitting out garbage.

[VileOFFender]

Also be careful about the new 22mbps stuff. I was looking at the D-Link when it was first announced and it looked like it was proprietary. I can be werong though. Can someone confirm?

Well, I decided to wait on wireless until the end of the year at least. That is when the next standard, 802.11g should be finalized and then new products will be out and old products will get cheaper.

[VileOFFender]

I was looking at the SMC wireless router that has been popping up around...its getting really affordable but then I read some of the reviews on amazon...needless to say not everyone was happy with this product.

Any Apexers out there have experience with this one? Not sure if I should risk it. From what I can figure out, most of the people that are having working units without problems are the ones that are not using the WAP. It isn't until you enable this feature that problems begin to arise.

Any information is appreciated.

[NuTs62]

Originally posted by VileOFFender
I was looking at the SMC wireless router that has been popping up around...its getting really affordable but then I read some of the reviews on amazon...needless to say not everyone was happy with this product.

Any Apexers out there have experience with this one? Not sure if I should risk it. From what I can figure out, most of the people that are having working units without problems are the ones that are not using the WAP. It isn't until you enable this feature that problems begin to arise.

Any information is appreciated.

I have the SMC 7004AWBR model wireless router. Its been ok I suppose. Setup was fairly simple. Detected my DSL modem right off the bat. The print server feature is pretty cool, but you have to install a util in each system, if i'm not mistaken (I have yet to do that).. I've been able to pick up signal from it like in the next building (about 30 or 40 ft, through 2 walls, not to mention any other signals).. but I think that kinda sucks?! Thats with 128bit encryption.. But eh, it serves its purpose.

Their wireless nic on the other hand, I've had trouble setting up. I get signal, but I dont get my internet. It worked before, then stopped working. I thought it went bad. My brother just tried it on his laptop (he had the same card set up at his house) and it worked. So eh, I guess they are "ok".. For wireless nics, I'd prefer going with what most people say is the best, the Agere Systems (Lucent) Orinoco Gold, which is offered by Dell too, rebadged of course. I have that for my new laptop, and it works like a charm. Just wonder if I'd get better signal if I had a different wireless router.

[spigidygak]

Originally posted by VileOFFender
Also be careful about the new 22mbps stuff. I was looking at the D-Link when it was first announced and it looked like it was proprietary. I can be werong though. Can someone confirm?

Well, I decided to wait on wireless until the end of the year at least. That is when the next standard, 802.11g should be finalized and then new products will be out and old products will get cheaper.

Yeah I've read a couple articles that some 802.11a products don't mix and match as well as 802.11b does.