I think the terms DS and High Rate, are marketing fluff. Maybe back in 1997 it was the older standard, but now its is WiFi Certified as a 802.11b.
Check out this specification of the RoamAbout Card http://www.enterasys.com/support/manuals/hardware/4062_03.pdf Or the full product catalogue at http://www.enterasys.com/products/product-catalog.pdf The sample I have has the following Firmware: Hardware: v4.0 Primary Firmware: v4.4 Station Firmware: v8.35 Every card I have tested so far had a Primary Firmware and Station Firmware as listed above. The only one I have not tested is a Proxim Orinoco Clasic Gold Card. I will borrow one next week and add that to my list. The Firmware information should end up in my FAQ that I am working on. Here is a snip from the last Firmware Update listed on the Proxim Wireless site for the Proxim Orinoco Clasic Gold Card. =================================================================== Proxim Corp. November 2002 WaveLAN Station firmware Update utility (WSU) WSU10872 =================================================================== TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1. Software Description 2. System Requirements 3. New In This Release 4. Technical Support ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. SOFTWARE DESCRIPTION 1.1 About this software The WaveLAN Station firmware Update utility (WSU) is a tool to update the firmware on your Agere Systems "Wireless" Card. The WSU can function on any computer running the MS-Windows 95, 98, 98-ME, 98-SE, NT, 2000 or XP Operating System, that has been equipped with a "Wireless" Card. The "Wireless" Card firmware makes the "Wireless" products: * Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) certified by the Wireless Ethernet Compatiblity Alliance (WECA). * Interoperable with any other wireless LAN system based on Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) radio technology that complies with the IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.11b Standards on wireless LANs. * Backwards compatible with any other previously released product of the Agere Systems "Wireless" product family. 1.2 Files The WSU comprises the following files: * WSU10842.EXE WSU * WSU.HLP WSU Help info * WSU.CNT WSU Help Contents * README.TXT this file 1.2 Versions WaveLAN Station firmware Update utility Variant 1 Version 4.54 contains: Primary Functions firmware Variant 1 Version 4.00 Station Functions firmware Variant 1 Version 8.72 ------------------------------------------------------------------- As you can see the Primary Frimware is almost the same. The difference could be explained by the data in the flash rom which identifies the card as a Enterasys RoamAbout. Or it could be somthing to do with the products they build that the card goes into. It should work in a 802.11b environment with out problem. It works for me in my network. If you want to read the entire Firmware document go to here: http://keygen.proxim.com/support/orinoco/sr02-01/readme/firmware.txt Ken Vann > >In-Reply-To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Message-Id: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >From: john slavin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Re: Explain the 802.11b Card Description >Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2004 12:12:47 -0500 > >Here is some specs on the RoamAbout card. I don't know if this is what >they are selling. Maybe this will help. > >http://www.enterasys.com/products/wireless/CSIxD-AA/ > >http://www.enterasys.com/support/manuals/hardware/4062_03.pdf > >On Sep 6, 2004, at 11:58 AM, Andrew Kershaw wrote: > >>> 802.11DS is an ancient standard from before 802.11B that runs slower. >>> It is >>> not used often. Check out this link: >>> http://standards.ieee.org/getieee802/802.11.html >> Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) as opposed to Frequency Hopping >> Spread Spectrum (FHSS)... 802.11 supported data rates around 2Mb/s - >> 802.11b is 5x faster. >> >> Looks like Wegener Media is inconsistent. Is it 802.11b or 802.11? >> They claim: >>> This card offers full 10bT networking capabilities, full >>> compatability with Airport base stations, and the entire 802.11 >>> network system! >>> >>> 11mbs Transfer rate--cruise the web wirelessly as fast as your cable >>> or phone line can connect!! >> >> But they are also careful never to call it an 802.11b card.... So >> which is it?! Smells fishy. Anyone got one? >> >> Peace, >> Drew >> >> -- >> >> >> Author of ClassicStumbler >> email: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> web: <http://www.alksoft.com/> >> >> Visit the PowerBook 5300 FAQ! >> <http://www.alksoft.com/5300_FAQ/> >> -- G-Books is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-Books list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
