Siemens SpeedStream Powerline 802.11b Wireless Access Point Review : Introduction

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Siemens SpeedStream Powerline 802.11b Wireless Access Point Review : Introduction

By TG Publishing Team, published on January 3, 2003
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: siemens, speedstream, powerline, 802

Contents

1. Introduction

Siemens SpeedStream Powerline 802.11b Wireless Access Point

Siemens SpeedStream Powerline 802.11b Wireless Access Point
Summary	802.11b Access Point with HomePlug interface in compact 'wall-wart' style package. Includes Compact Flash card radio
Update	None
Pros	• Wireless LAN extension without running CAT5 cable • Small and convenient form factor • Good wireless performance with no WEP-enabled throughput loss
Cons	• Windows-only • Limited documentation • No MAC-address Association control

Let's face it, Powerline networking hasn't exactly taken the small networking world by storm. But Siemens apparently thinks enough of the technology to jump into the market with a line of SpeedStream HomePlug 1.0 compatible powerline networking products.

The star of this review will be Siemens' SpeedStream 2521 Powerline Wireless Access Point, but I'll also touch on their 2502 Powerline Ethernet Adapter, which I used to bridge my Ethernet router to the powerline for testing.