December 13, 2001
Now you can extend your wireless network. Actiontec Electronics, Inc., a leading manufacturer of broadband-based application and Internet access products, announced today it had begun shipping its 802.11b Access Point, which will give wireless users the ability to extend their wireless network while also enjoying the ability to connect their wireless network into older Ethernet networks.
The Actiontec 802.11b Access Point will work with any notebook or desktop computer equipped with an Ethernet port and has an effective range of 300 feet indoors. And, as more and more companies invest in 802.11b wireless infrastructures, home users will be able capitalize on this trend by using their laptop wirelessley, at both the home and office.
It also doesn't discriminate against computers using the Linux operating system. The Actiontec 802.11b Access Point has an open architecture, which means Linux users can customize it for their networks by loading their own proprietary software on top of Actiontec's software.
The Actiontec 802.11b Access Point utilizes Intersil's PRISM chip set. This revolutionary chip set integrates the digital portion - the baseband processor (BBP) and the medium access controller (MAC) - for the full IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN standard onto a single integrated circuit.
In accordance with the IEEE802.11b specification, the 802.11b Access Point uses 2.4 GHz Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) technology and adaptively adjusts its data rate from 11 Mbps to 5.5/2.0/1.0 Mbps to guarantee the most reliable operation regardless of signal strength.
The Actiontec 802.11b Access Point is compatible with any computer or network running Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98SE, NT 4.0, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP or Linux and supports ad-hoc networking with other wireless devices and other 802.11b compliant access points. It is also approved for use in 25 countries. It will carry an MSRP of $149.99 and be available at major computer chains nationwide as well as the Actiontec online store at http://www.actiontecstore.com.
Other features include:
-- Easy one-step connectivity to wired networks.
-- Able to transfer large files between 802.11b wireless network computers and wired networks plus wireless access to all peripherals connected to the wired network, including modems, printers and drives.
-- No significant slowdown when WEP encryption is enabled.
-- WiFi compliant. Integrated solutions have already been approved by WECA to ensure interoperability among other 802.11b products.
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