Access Points (APs) and Cards
Access Points (APs) are stand-alone units that can be thought of as
wireless modems; very similar to an ADSL modem in many ways. Most APs support
multiple modes, including "AP" mode (the centre of a wireless network), and
"Station" (a.k.a. "Client") mode. A Wireless Network (WLAN) has one (and only
one) AP, and one or more Stations.
Wireless Cards, must be plugged into a PC to operate. PCMCIA cards are
for laptop PCs. PCI cards are for desktop PCs.
USB Adapters plug into a USB socket. They have
built-in antennas, and act as 'clients' and connect to an AP. Being on the end
of a USB cable means the unit/antenna can be relocated to some extent to help
maximize the signal strength.
|
Brand |
Model |
Description |
Standard(s)
Max. Speed |
External
Antenna
Connector. |
Price
(AU$) |
|
Your Price |
RRP |
|
Minitar |
MNWAPB
11 Mbps
Access Point
High Transmit Power
60 mW
[Weatherproof Version] |
5 Modes
 |
Access Point (AP) |
|
AP Client (Use this mode to connect to an AP) |
|
Repeater |
|
Wireless Bridge
 |
Point-to-point |
|
Point to Multipoint |
|
[Details and
Review] |
802.11b
11 Mbps |
Yes
1 x RPSMA |
$88 ea
2 for $170
5 for $400
Pigtail to suit (N-male) $25 |
$99 |
|
MN54G4R
802.11g Residential Gateway
 |
|
802.11g Access Point |
|
Internet-sharing
Router, with Firewall |
|
4-port Switch
|
[Manufacturer's Details] |
802.11g
(802.11b compatible)54Mbps |
No
but does have an INTERNAL antenna connectors. I have the
pigtails to suit. |
$175 |
$199 |
|
Senao |
NL-3054CB3 PLUS (Deluxe)
Long Range Multi-Client Bridge/Access Point/Repeater
High Transmit
Power
125 mW
@ 11Mbps
[Weatherproof Version] |
5 Modes
|
Access Point (AP) |
|
Repeater (WDS) |
|
Wireless Bridge
|
Point-to-point. This is actually
'Ad-Hoc mode'. |
|
Point to Multipoint. This is commonly
called 'Client mode', and is used to connect to an AP. |
|
[Manufacturer's Details] |
802.11b
802.11g
11 Mbps
54 Mbps |
Yes
1 x rgTNC |
11 Channel
Model: $245
13 Channel Model: $250
Email
for Qty discount prices
Pigtail to suit $25 |
|
|
LinkSys |
WRT54G
High Transmit
Power
60 mW
[Weatherproof Version] |
All-in-one Internet-sharing Router, 4-port
Switch, and Wireless-G (802.11g) Access Point
[Manufacturer's Details]
Compatible with Custom firmware. See below. The unit contains
4MB of flash memory. 2MB for the 'core', and 2MB for custom firmware. |
802.11b
802.11g
11 Mbps
54 Mbps |
Yes
2 x rgTNC |
$160
(Factory Firmware) Preloaded with Sveasoft Satori V4
Firmware = $20 extra.
Email
for Qty discount prices
Pigtail to suit $25 |
$259 |
|
WRT54GS
SpeedBooster
Technology
High Transmit
Power
60 mW
[Weatherproof Version] |
All-in-one Internet-sharing Router, 4-port
Switch, and Wireless-G (802.11g) Access Point.
SpeedBooster Technology is a
compatible add-on to standard Wireless-G, which increases "real-world"
wireless network performance by up to 35%.
[Manufacturer's Details]
The unit contains 8MB of flash memory. 2MB for the 'core',
and 6MB for custom firmware. |
802.11b
802.11g
11 Mbps
54 Mbps |
Yes
2 x rgTNC |
$190
(Factory Firmware) Preloaded with Sveasoft Satori V4
Firmware = $20 extra.
Preloaded with OpenWRT = $20 extra.
Email
for Qty discount prices
Pigtail to suit $25 |
$385 |
| |
Custom Firmware: These units runs a
version of Linux, and various people have made available new firmware
versions that add additional features. See these links:
|
Seattle
Wireless |
|
 (with support for add-on packages)
You
can get this firmware pre-loaded. See above.
This firmware has no http (www) interface, and requires proficiency with
Linux. However, it gives you a fully-functional Linux router with up to 6
ethernet interfaces - one of which is the Wireless. It comes standard with
these features:
|
httpd (www) server |
|
sshd (ssh) server |
|
bgp (dynamic routing) |
|
firewall (iptables) |
|
dhcp (client & server) |
|
dns (client and server) |
|
routing |
|
frottle (Packet
Scheduling and QoS for Wireless Networks) |
|
and you can install many other Linux
packages. |
|
|
Robert
Cringely |
|
Sveasoft |
|
Linksysinfo.org
You can get this pre-loaded ... see above.
|
Client Mode
 |
(Administration->Management->Loopback must be set to DISABLE on
client and AP for correct operation) |
|
Issue: With V4.x, you can ONLY have one PC
connected to the LAN port |
|
|
Power increase to 84mW (68mW max
recommended) |
|
Disable one or both antennas |
|
QoS (Bandwidth Management) |
|
and many other features |
|
|
|
|
Email
for more information |
|
Brand |
Model |
OS Support |
Standard(s)
Max. Speed |
External
Antenna
Connector |
Price
(AU$) |
|
Your Price |
RRP |
|
Minitar |
MN54GPC
PCI Wireless 'client'
|
Windows |
802.11g
54 Mbps |
Yes RPSMA
(Includes external antenna as pictured) |
$83 |
$109 |
|
MN54GCB
Cardbus 'client'
|
Windows
98SE
ME
2000
XP |
802.11g
54 Mbps |
No |
$77 2 for $150 |
$99 |
|
Senao |
2511-CD Long Range 200mW PCMCIA card
High TX Power
High Receive Sensitivity
 |
Windows: 98SE (not recommended), 2000, XP,
[Driver]
Linux
|
802.11b
11 Mbps |
Yes 2 x MMCX
Pigtails (CBL-MX01RSF)
= $20
Note: This card has no built-in antenna. |
$110 2dBi clip-in antenna to suit (ANT-MMCX-CLIP) =
$20 |
$156 |
|
2511-CD2Plus Long Range 200mW PCMCIA card
High TX Power
High Receive Sensitivity
 |
No Antenna built-in |
$120 |
|
Enterasys |
Orinoco/Lucent/Enterasys (Silver) PCMCIA Card
(Picture for illustration only.
The Cabletron/RoamAbout card is functionally identical)
Perfect for use with NetStumbler
|
Win: 98SE, ME, NT, 2k, XP
Linux
Mac
Drivers |
802.11b
40-bit WEP
11 Mbps |
Yes
MC Card |
Card: $70
N-male Pigtail: $35
Card+Pigtail bundle:
$100 |
|
|
Warranty Information These cards are no longer
manufactured. They come fully tested, but without warranty. |
|
Email
for more information |
