Thursday, August 29, 2002

This week Motive Communications made available its Home Networking Service Solution, an automated service that provides direct online support to end users of home networking products such as routers. It helps customers with installation, troubleshooting, and management of their home network and shared Internet connections. The service is only available if your broadband provider, ISP, product retailer, or even a warranty service provider gives it to you -- you can't get it direct from Motive. Current Motive users include Verizon and AT&T for some of their broadband offerings.

Wednesday, August 28, 2002

Asanté Technologies is offering full support for the Mac OS X v10.2 (Jaguar) operating system just released. Expect drivers and software to be available on a number of their product lines, including FriendlyNET and AeroLAN network adapters. A complete list can be found on their site.

Tuesday, August 27, 2002

Linksys has announced a new Ethernet-to-wireless bridge, the $129 802.11b Instant Wireless(TM) Ethernet Bridge (WET11). The WECA-certified product will reportedly work with any product with Ethernet, from printers to gaming consoles such as the PlayStation 2, making them ready for use with Wi-Fi.

Monday, August 26, 2002

Netgear is now shipping the Netgear 802.11a Cable/DSL High-Speed Wireless Router (HR314), which features Internet sharing over 54Mbps 802.11a connections and through a built in 4-port 10/100Mbps switch. The unit features a 72Mbps "turbo mode" for wireless users, and has a Web interface, MAC address cloning, DHCP server, port forwarding, NAT routing, up to 152-bit WEP, and VPN pass-thru. The price: $553.

Epson has put out a new printer called the C82WN, a version of the also new C82 but with a 802.11 print server for printing via either ad hoc from wireless computer or through a wireless access point. The C82WN will sell for $379. You can get a Bluetooth interface for an extra $179. Those with Ethernet only can get the C82N which adds the EpsonNet External 10/100Mbit Print Server, for $349.

Friday, August 23, 2002

Check out our review of the book Network Security - Private Communication in a Public World by Charlie Kaufman, Radia Perlman, and Mike Speciner. It's a book that's heavy into teaching you the world of encryption, but thankfully it's lightened by some humor throughout.

Wednesday, August 21, 2002

D-Link has not only upgraded its AirPro DWL-6000AP Dual-Band Wireless Access Point to use the TI chipset so 802.11b users can go up to 22Mbps, and implimented 72Mbps "turbo" mode for 802.11a users, it's also dropped the price by half, from $499 to $249. Read about it at 802.11 Planet.

Rappore Shield from Rappore Technologies claims to be the first software-only solution that protects wireless 802.11a and 11b users from malacious access by other wireless users in their midst. The software is free to try.

WatchGuard Technologies recently debuted its Firebox SOHO 6 lineup of firewall appliances. The Firebox SOHO 6, Firebox SOHO 6tc, and Firebox SOHO 6tc 50-user models feature high-performance and multiple interfaces. Read all about their new high performance hardware platform (with 75Mbps speed through a firewall and 20Mbps through a VPN, at ISP-Planet.

Tuesday, August 20, 2002

Efficient Networks has a new series of SpeedStream branded products out that come in different configurations for bridge, PPPoE bridge or router. They include a single Ethernet DSL modem ($150), combo Ethernet/USB modem ($175), 4-port Ethernet switch ($225) and a 4-port Ethernet/USB switch ($250) -- all prices are for basic bridge function. Each has an incremental price increase to be upgraded to the PPPoE bridge and again to be a full router.

Linksys has announced its Dual-Band Wireless Access Point (WAP51AB), which supports both 802.11a and 802.11b simultaneously, is shipping this week. It will cost $299 and supports up to 152-bit WEP encryption and MAC filtering.

Thursday, August 15, 2002

PC Wave's new USB wireless LAN adapter claims to be the smallest available, though we think the SMC 2.4GHz USB Adapter is actually smaller. PC Wave's, however, is definitely cheaper. Read about it at 802.11 Planet.

Tuesday, August 13, 2002

SMC Networks has officially announced its line of "802.11+" products, capable of 22Mbps speed with products of the same family using PBCC modulation, falling back to standard 802.11b 11Mbps speed with other products. They're based on the Texas Instruments ACX100 chips. The products include the Barricade Turbo 11/22Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Router with integrated 3-port switch (SMC2404WBR), the EZ Connect Turbo 11/22 Auto-Sensing Wireless PCI Adapter (SMC2402W) and the EZ Connect Turbo 11/22 Auto-Sensing Wireless CardBus Adapter (SMC2435W).

Monday, August 12, 2002

In-Stat/MDR has a new report out that says home networking should be booming for the next several years, going from millions to billions in the market place. Just as an example, home networks were only about 10.5 million in the end of 2001, but will go up to 16.6 million by the end of 2002. Read the details at 802.11 Planet.

D-Link is revamping its customer service to include a new toll-free customer support (877-45-DLINK); new rebate section, FAQs, driver updates, and firmware downloads on the D-Link tech support site; and a five-minute maximum hold time for tech support calls, which you can now make 24/7.

Thursday, August 8, 2002

As of this week, the ORiNOCO product line now belongs to Proxim. They bought it and the rest of the hardware business from Agere Systems for $65 million. Read the details at 802.11 Planet.

Wednesday, August 7, 2002

A number of Symantec firewalls, including popular Raptor models, have a security flaw that renders networks protected by the systems vulnerable to intrusion. Read about it at eSecurity Planet.

Monday, August 5, 2002

Netgear is in a deal with Listen.com to provide a 30-day free trial of the Rhapsody Digital Music Service for all users of Netgear's Platinum products. Read about it at InternetNews.com.

Friday, August 2, 2002

OTC Wireless has announced the WiSER, an 802.11b solution that plugs into a computer's RS-232 Serial Port to create a wireless serial connection. It will work with Mac, Windows or Linux, and requires no drivers, but it does require power from either the PS/2 port, USB port, or separate AC adapter. The product will be made available to OEMs for shipping in early 2003.