My successful (and experimental) odyssey into the world of Wireless-G 54 Mbps (Megabytes per second) networking continues. Now that both mine and the spouse’s workstations have been upgraded to Linksys Wireless-G WMP54G PCI Card, (see below for a link to my review of this product), it was time for me to turn my attention to my Toshiba Satellite 1905 Notebook computer I use as my mobile office (see my review of this product at http://www.epinions.com/content_75350052484). Recently, I installed a DLink 650+ Wireless PC Card (see below for a link to my review of this product) into my Satellite 1905 with great success, but it was time to move on. Enter the Linksys Wireless-G WPC54G Wireless PC Card Network Adapter.
Wireless-G is the next wave in wireless networking technology. Wireless-G WAP’s, and Network Interface Cards (NIC’s) are capable of transmitting and receiving data at speeds of up to 54Mbps, almost five times faster than the widely deployed Wireless-B (802.11b) products found in homes, businesses, and public wireless hotspots around the country, and indeed around the world. Wireless-G devices can utilize either the 2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz band, and some can utilize both bands. Those Wireless-G devices that share the 2.4GHz radio band, can also work with existing 11Mbps Wireless-B equipment, while those which utilize the 5.0Ghz band will interoperate only with Wireless-A (802.11a, 54Mbps) equipment. Dual-band Wireless-G equipment are capable of interoperating with all three protocols; i.e. 802.11a (54Mbps), 802.11b (11 Mbps), and 802.11g (54Mbps).
The Linksys Wireless-G WPC54G Wireless PC Card Network Adapter operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz, and supports the following wireless protocols: 802.11b and 802.11g (draft). The Wireless-G WPC54G is capable of transmitting and receiving networking traffic in a range of 1 – 54Mbps. I choose the Wireless-G WPC54G for two reasons; 1. Because the card operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz, the same frequency band I currently use for my wireless communications, and; 2. It is compatible with the Wireless 54-G equipment I already use; i.e. Linksys.

Installation:

The Wireless-G WPC54G is a standard Type II PC Card. The box includes the card, a CD-ROM which is used to installed drivers for Windows 98/SE/Me/2000/XP, and a clear plastic case for carrying transporting the card.

The software installation was nearly flawless. For reasons I have yet to pinpoint, or understand, the installation process did not start automatically when I inserted the CD. Nor did it start when I double-click on the drive containing the software in Windows Explorer. To state the installation process I had to dig a couple of directories deep to find the setup.exe file and run it from there. Once started the install process took less then a minute to complete, and once completed I rebooted the system and inserted the card.

“Windows has found new hardware,” was the message I received after the card was inserted in the PC Card slot. The subsequent driver installation took less the 30 seconds to complete, and as soon as I configured the card with the parameters of my wireless network the card detected my Linksys Wireless-G WAP45G Wireless Access Point (see below for a link to my review of this product), and connected to it at a full 54Mbps! Thereafter, I was able to transfer and receive data with the rest of the computers on my Windows 2000 Domain. Note: Windows XP Home Ed. does not include native support for wireless adapters; i.e. automatic detection of different wireless networks and access points, however Window XP Professional does include such support. Linksys does include such support with its driver set however.

From start to finish, the installation took less then five minutes, even after factoring in the false start of the software installation process.

First Impressions:

I like it! I like it a lot! Under real-world conditions, the Wireless-G WPC54G PC CardBus Adapter’s performance meets or exceeds my expectations. No matter where I roam in the house with the exception of the back patio, my connection rate never drops below 54Mbps. Transferring date to and from the servers on the second floor is notably swifter. Synchronizing my Outlook file with my primary workstation on the second floor is also noticeably quicker; what used to take upwards of 2 minutes to complete at 11Mbps, now takes between 30 – 45 seconds and a file that has grown to some 33MB in size.

The Wireless-G WPC54G is equipped with two status lights; one which indicates power is applied, and the other which confirms a link with the WAP.

Conclusion:

The Wireless-G WPC54G is a first rate Wireless-G, wireless adapter. I am very pleased with the performance and I am glad I made the investment. If you need a wireless CardBus adapter that will meet your needs for current 802.11b standard and the new 802.11g, then the Wireless-G WPC54G CardBus Adapter will more then satisfy your need for wireless speed.


My other wireless product reviews:

*Linksys Wireless Products

Linksys WDT-11 Instant Wireless PCI Card: (http://www.epinions.com/content_38700355204)
Linksys WPC-11 Instant Wireless PC Card: (http://www.epinions.com/content_38866816644)
Linksys Wireless-G WMP54G PCI Card: (http://www.epinions.com/content_102771822212)
Linksys Wireless-G WAP45G Wireless Access Point: (http://www.epinions.com/content_103141772932)

*DLink Wireless Products

DLink AP 900 Wireless Access Point: (http://www.epinions.com/content_88160636548)
DLink 650+ Wireless PC Card: (http://www.epinions.com/content_86601076356)
DLink 520 Wireless PCI Card: (http://www.epinions.com/content_98676674180)

*Cisco Wireless Products

Cisco PC4800B Wireless PC Card: (http://www.epinions.com/content_39004966532)



Recommended: Yes