Tuesday, July 30, 2002

Linksys has shipped the EtherFast Cable/DSL Firewall Router with 4-Port Switch and VPN Endpoint (BEFSX41). The $119 (street price), 4-port router (plus special DMZ port) also includes Stateful Packet Inspection, protection agains attacks (malicious code, IP spoofing, pings of death, denial of service, even internal snooping), two IPSec-based VPN tunnels, and Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support.

Link Logger 1.6 is the latest version of the Windows-only firewall logging utility from Binary Visions. It works on products from ZyXEL, Netgear, and Linksys. You can download a 30-day free trial.

Friday, July 26, 2002

According to the Federal Communications Commission's latest summary of statistics, broadband Internet access was available in 79% of the nation's zip codes as of December 2001, with high-speed users present in 98% of the most densely populated zip codes, and 43% in least densely populated -- up from 28% in December 2000. Read the full story at DC.internet.com.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has published a list of the ISPs most friendly toward those who wish to wirelessly share a high speed Internet connection, something the EFF sees as a "valuable community service." The list includes ISPs like Earthlink, Atlas Broadband, Covad, and others. Read the details at 80211 Planet.

Wednesday, July 24, 2002

TROY Wireless has announced its new EtherSync-USB adapter for Windows-based desktop computers needing 802.11b connections.

Ecutel has announced a new VPN software solution for Windows (98/ME/2000/XP) and Pocket PC 2002 devices, called Viatores. The software uses 3DES encryption and works with IPSec and Mobile IP for full range of encryption and authentication. Read details at allNetDevices.

Monday, July 22, 2002

On Sunday the 21st, Linksys launched a "Get Wired, Go Wireless" rebate special on most Linksys home network products. The campaign is geared to getting kids to let their parents share broadband access. Prices will include 10/100 network adapters for $10 (normally $20), the BEFSR41 Cable/DSL Router for $69 (normally $79), 802.11b USB adapter and PC Cards for $69 each (normally $79), and the BEFW11S4 Wireless Cable/DSL AP+Router for $155 (normally $170). The program will last until September 7, 2002, and paper work to get the rebate must be submitted by October 7, 2002.

Thursday, July 18, 2002

802.11a products will no longer be called Wi-Fi5 -- the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance is going to call everything it certifies "Wi-Fi" in the future, and will differentiate products using detailed labels. Read the reasons why at 80211 Planet.

Avaya has put out new lines of IP-based phones for businesses, including some that work with 802.11b wireless (using technology from SpectraLink). Read the full story at 80211 Planet.

Wednesday, July 17, 2002

D-Link is the first to market with Dual Band Router. The new AirPro DI-764 supports Internet sharing for both 802.11a and 802.11b users, as well as four Ethernet clients. Read about it at 80211 Planet.

Bluetooth Connects Win Laptops and Phones: Socket has releases Windows version of its Bluetooth Connection Kit for Nokia Bluetooth mobiles. Also works with Ericsson, Sony, Motorola handsets. Read the full story at allNetDevices.

Thursday, July 11, 2002

Microsoft Is Bullish On Wi-Fi -- Promising the roll out of home networking hardware this fall, Bill Gates and Co. look to push along the adoption of 802.11 technology. Read the full story at 80211 Planet.

PDAs can now VPN: A Pocket PC/Windows CE client has been released from Funk Software (read the story at allNetDevices) and a Palm OS client is available from Mergic (read the other story at allNetDevices). Both support 802.11b and other connections.

Wednesday, July 10, 2002

AntiFirewall is a new $35 software program for Windows 95 on up to XP from Russian developer iNetPrivacy Software that lets users behind firewalls break through to use FTP, Usenet, IRC, ICQ and e-mail that might otherwise be blocked.

Tuesday, July 2, 2002

Actiontec is shipping four home networking kits that they claim 'automates al processes' for the user who doesn't know DHCP from PPPoE. The kits will include a Installation Buddy software guide, and color-coded ports and cables. There's an 802.11b-based Wireless Cable/DSL Router ($199.99), Wireless-Ready Cable/DSL Router ($99.99) that can take an 802.11b PC Card, a Dual-Mode Wireless Ready Cable/DSL Router ($99.99) for upgrading current Ethernet-based Cable/DSL modems, and the Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway with built in ADSL modem (sold only by broadband service providers).