on 2/24/01 11:48 PM, Michael W. Wellman at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> If their combined wireless access point/router
> <http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=171&grid=19>
> is done as well, Apple will soon be forced to lower the Airport's price
> point substantially.
I just picked up one of those for $245 from a local vendor, and am putting
it through it's paces.
> Of course, LinkSys doesn't list Macintosh compatibility...but that shouldn't
> matter all that much. The entire box is configured via a web interface and
This is untrue - configuration is *ONLY* possible via their Windows only USB
interface/software - which sucks (how hard would it have been to place a
small web-server in there for ethernet based configuration like their
routers?).
I ended up taking care of the configuration using VirtualPC, with USB
properly configured for the device. For ease of use, and extensibility, I
renamed it 'Airport Network' and gave it an appropriate IP number to fit
within my network.
> the documentation is available as *.pdf files; although, you do lose the
> printer server feature if you're on a Mac-only network.
I haven't examined the printer server feature yet in detail.
> And even with a 5 db antenna on the access point, your performance will
> mostly be limited by the antenna on the client side. Although, with such an
> antenna, you will see a 15-30% gain in range in a typical household.
So far, I am getting better range and speed with this box than I am getting
with Apple's Airport - and the Linksys box has one HUGE advantage - the
antenna's on the back of the unit use a standard BNC connector (they are
clip-on), and hence attaching external long-range antenna's has just become
a cinch - unlike the airport which requires lots of hacking.
> I also note that it's not at all clear to me whether or not the Linksys
> wireless boxes actually include the wireless PC(MCIA) card or require you to
> buy one separately. At least one version states that the card isn't
> included.
The single-port box (without router and multiple RJ-45s) provides the
wireless card (or whatever) already inside, but I'm sure one can still
upgrade the system easily using a screwdriver.
The multiple port box with the option of adding a card (and elsser range) is
definitely a great idea if you plan on going wirless in the future, but
don't need to right now.
Also, I'm noticing better speed, overall, with the Linksys box, versus the
airport box from Apple.
Overall, it seems like a better product, and cheaper too. If they could just
make the configuration more platform independent (and possibly even
compatible with Apple's airport configuration utility) this would be the
perfect product. As it stands, I can only give it 9 out of 10 stars.
Harry
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