Wireless Networking Need To Know 2006

Wireless Networking NTK - Product Types

Wireless products come in many different "flavors" and differences between some of them are subtle. Let's start by looking at the different types of "Client Adapters". These products are used to connect one device to a wireless network, much like an Ethernet network interface card (NIC). Most of the adapters can work either in a peer-to-peer network (this is called Ad Hoc mode), or through an Access Point that connects to a larger, usually wired, network (Infrastructure mode). HomeRF based devices also support both methods of communication, but switch methods on the fly. PC CardThis format is familiar to laptop and PDA users and comes in 16bit and CardBus (32 bit) forms. Unfortunately, manufacturers often don't tell you which technology they use, so if your laptop supports only CardBus adapters, you may have do experiment to find out whether a product will work for you. PC Cards have been the format of choice for laptop users, but have the disadvantages of relatively high power usage and poor antenna orientation. Read more

Wireless Networking NTK - Technologies

A year or so ago (early 2001), you had two choices for wireless networking products: Home RF and 802.11b. In mid 2002, your choices have expanded to four main contenders (802.11b, "enhanced" 802.11b, 802.11a, and Bluetooth) and one dying one (Home RF). More choices are coming later in 2002 and 2003, with a lot of activity in "combo" products that meld together two or more standards into one product. First, let's look at what you can actually buy today for building your wireless LAN (WLAN). Read more

Wireless Networking NTK - Setting up

Now that you know the building blocks of a wireless network, how do you put them together into something that will let you get some work done while you're sitting in your favorite chair? Glad you asked! The approach you take depends on where you're starting from, so we'll take a look at the common situations. Read more

Wireless Networking NTK - Introduction

So you finally have given in to all the hype and decided to look into wireless networking? Well, you've come to the right place. We'll help you understand the buzzwords, choose a technology, and get set up in a variety of different ways. We'll also try to guide you around the many traps that you can easily stumble into. Read more

New Wireless Networking NTK

Been cranking away fleshing out the content in the NeedToKnow (NTK) and other sections before diving into reviews. Just finished a new addition to the Wireless NTKs called Setting Up. It covers a number of different configurations for a wireless network, so give it a look. Read more

How We Test HomePlug Networking Equipment

We use Ixia's free Qcheck utility and Chariot network peformance evaluation program to put HomePlug power line network gear through their paces. We use the simple test setup pictured below to run our tests under four different conditions. Read more

2002 Networking Products Holiday Shopping Guide

If you're like many of the readers of this site, you have more than a couple of computers scattered around your home, and probably some sort of broadband connection. And if you already haven't connected them into some sort of network, you probably soon will. Read more

Linksys Instant Wireless Dual-Band Wireless Access Point Review

Dual-radio 802.11a/b (Atheros 802.11a, Broadcom 802.11b) Access Point. Has first generation Atheros 11a radio. Read more

Linksys Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge with 5-port switch reviewed

You might be tempted to think that Linksys' WET54GS5 Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge with 5-port switch is just a WET54G with a slightly-overpriced 10/100 switch built in... but you'd be wrong. There's much, much more to this first-in-category product, including ways to make bandwidth hogs behave! Read more

CES Roundup: the Latest and Greatest

Eos: Wireless Audio On the Cheap

Linksys Wireless-B Media Adapter reviewed

Many consumers are looking for a way to free their growing library of digital pictures and music from their PC prisons. Linksys' WMA11B Wireless-B Media Adapter can provide the bridge to your home's entertainment equipment, but it won't be the answer for everybody. Read our review and see if it's the solution for you! Read more

Linksys Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge Reviewed

Linksys' WET11 Wireless Ethernet Bridge brought wireless 802.11b bridging to the masses with its combination of low price and easy configuration. With the release of its successor - the WET54G Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge - it looks like Linksys is hoping to dominate the market for low-cost 802.11g-based wireless bridging too. Does the new WET have what it takes? Check out our review and find out. Read more

New! Improved! Low-carb! (well, maybe not) Tom's Networking Guide

We've got a new look as TG Publishing debuts two new sites. Read more