The upgrade of my wired network to 100Mps (Megabyte per second) is complete. Now I have turned my attention to the wireless portion, and just in time for my bold adventure into the world of Wireless-G (draft 802.11g) 54 Mps standard. As it happens my spouses computer’ Linksys WDT-11/WPC-11 802.11b 11Mps wireless PCI card decided to stop working. Hey it happens, and after three years of faithful service, I can’t complain. And I bought the card used! Time for a new purchase.

Because I have a D-Link Wireless Access Point (WAP), the D-Link AirPlus DWL 900AP+ (see my review of this product at http://www.epinions.com/content_88160636548), which can transmit and receive at 22.5Mps, I decided at first to purchase and install the Dlink Air DWL 520 PCI Network Adapter (see my review of this product at http://www.epinions.com/content_98676674180), which transmits and receives at the same speed. This card did not work out, and I subsequently returned it. And after reading my review of the DWL-520 you will understand why.

So the search was on for a new card. As stated above I was ready to try the new 802.11G wireless standard. I trust Linksys, so I researched and then purchased the Linksys Wireless-G WMP54G PCI Network Adapter for my spouses PC. I ultimately went with the Linksys Wireless-G WMP54G PCI Network Adapter for two reasons; 1. because the card operates at 2.4GHz the frequency band I currently use for my wireless communications, and; 2. the card is compatible with the 802.11b 11Mps standard.

True Plug & Play:

Unlike the WDT-11/WPC-11 (see my review of these products at the following: WPC-11: http://www.epinions.com/content_38866816644, and WDT-11: http://www.epinions.com/content_38700355204) combination Linksys offered with its 802.11b standard, the Wireless-G WMP54G is a card designed and built for PCI slot. The most notable difference between the two cards, is the size of the antenna, which is nearly twice as big as the one offered on the WDT-11, and the fact that the car is one unit, and not two like the aforementioned WDT-11/WPC-11

Based on past experience with new hardware installations, I was expecting a long and sweat inducing struggle to configure the Linksys Wireless-G WMP54G and get it working with my network, especially given the WAP I was using. My anxiety was short lived. I popped out the old WDT11 wireless card, and inserted the new Wireless-G WMP54G in its place, turned on the computer, and what do you know, Windows XP Home found the card, asked for the driver software, which then found the SSID I was using for my wireless network, connected at 11Mps, and I was done. In less then five minute no less. I was stunned. I sat and waited for almost thirty minutes something to go wrong, but nothing did! And to this day nothing has!

Installing the Linksys Wireless-G WMP54G was the most hassle-free hardware installation I have ever accomplished bar none!

Performance:

I am impressed by the performance of this card. Signal strength is always at or above 75% and throughput always stays at 11Mps. This given the fact that my WAP in an upstairs closet in the front of the house, connected directly to the hub that services the three remaining wired computers in our network. I put the access point up on a shelve in the closet and directed its antennae up and lateral to get the best transmission and reception.

Like I said impressive.

Conclusions:

Some will warn you away from Wireless-G because the standard is still in the “draft” stages, but hey it seems to work well on my network. The Linksys Wireless-G WMP54G so far works flawlessly, and I couldn’t ask for a better wireless card.

Just the Specs Man:

*Wireless-G (draft 802.11g) connectivity for your desktop PC
*Incredible data rates up to 54Mbps in the 2.4GHz radio band (only with a Wireless-G WAP).
*Interoperates with Wireless-B (802.11b) networks at 11Mbps
* Card Type: PCI
* Standard IEEE 802.11b/G (with automatic scale back)
* Interoperable with IEEE 802.11b/G (DSSS) 2.4GHz-compliant Equipment
* 2/5.5/11/54 Mbps High-Speed Transfer Rate
* Compatible with Windows 98, 2000, XP
* Plug-and-Play Operation Provides Easy Set Up
* Metal Design with Removable Antenna
* Up to 128-Bit WEP Encryption
* LED’s Power, Transfer/Receive


Recommended: Yes