Wireless Basics

108Mbps SuperG Wireless PCI Adapter

Wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-use and compatible high- speed wireless connectivity within your home or business. Strictly adhering to the 802.11b and 802.11g standards, our wireless family of products will allow you to access the data you want, when and where you want it. No longer will you be limited to one location or forced to run new wiring through your home or office. You will be able to enjoy the freedom that wireless networking delivers.

A Wireless LAN (WLAN) is a cellular computer network that transmits and receives data with radio signals instead of wires. Wireless LANs are used increasingly in both home and office environments. Innovative ways to utilize WLAN technology are helping people to work and communicate more efficiently. Increased mobility and the absence of cabling and other fixed infrastructure have proven to be beneficial for many users.

Wireless users can use the same network applications they use on an Ethernet LAN. Wireless card cards used on laptop and desktop systems, support the same protocols as Ethernet card cards. For most users, there is no noticeable functional difference between a wired Ethernet desktop computer and a wireless computer equipped with a wireless card other than the added benefit of the ability to roam within the wireless-cell. Under many circumstances, it may be desirable for mobile network devices to link to a conventional Ethernet LAN in order to use servers, printers or an Internet connection supplied through the wired LAN. A Wireless Access Point (AP) is a device used to provide this link. Your new 108Mbps SuperG Wireless PCI Adapter can connect to an 802.11b/g AP, as well as other computers that have an 802.11b/g WLAN card installed.

People use wireless LAN technology for many different purposes:

Mobility - Productivity increases when people have access to data in any location within the operating range of the WLAN. Ad-hoc management decisions based on real-time information can significantly improve worker efficiency.

Low Implementation Costs - WLANs are easy to set up, manage, change and relocate. Networks that frequently change, both physically and logically, can benefit from WLANs’ ease of implementation. WLANs can operate in locations where installation of wiring may be impractical. Furthermore, IEEE standardization facilitates interoperability of all WLAN devices that conform to the 802.11b or 802.11g sets of standards.

Installation Speed and Simplicity - Installing a wireless LAN system can be fast and easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings.

Installation Flexibility - Wireless technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go.

Reduced Cost-of-Ownership- While the initial investment required for wireless LAN hardware might be higher than the cost of wired LAN hardware, overall installation expenses and life-cycle costs will be significantly lower. Long-term cost benefits are greatest in dynamic environments requiring frequent moves, adds, and changes.

Scalability - Wireless LAN systems can be configured in a variety of topologies to meet the needs of specific applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed and range from peer- to-peer networks suitable for a small number of users to full infrastructure networks of thousands of users that allow roaming over a broad area.

Standards - Based Technology

The IEEE 802.11g standard designates that devices operate at an optimal data rate of 54 Megabits per second. This means you will be able to transfer large files quickly or even watch a movie in MPEG format over your network without noticeable delays. This technology works by transmitting high-speed digital data over a radio wave utilizing OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency