Cisco PC4800B: The Mercedes of Wireless Ethernet Cards...
Written: Aug 30 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Reliable, durable, great range
Cons: COST!
The Bottom Line: If you can afford it, go for it! The performance is the best I've seen.
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| vemartin's Full Review: Aironet Cisco PC4800B (PC4800B-VA) Network Adapte... |
One of the big perks of being a Networking Specialist/Software Engineer, and all around nice guy, is that sometimes hardware components and software diskettes/CD-ROM’s, drop like candy from heaven in my lap from discarded ventures and failed projects. Over the years this has yielded all manner of monitors, hard drives, desktops, notebooks, application software, Operating Systems, PC Cards (PCMCIA) modems, and my latest acquisition, a Cisco Systems Aironet Wireless Ethernet Adapter PC4800B.
Cisco Systems was one the first companies to break into the wireless networking arena in the mid-1990’s, and has been selling wireless solutions to Corporate America for quite some time now. The companies Aironet line of wireless products are a staple in the industry because they are reliable, durable, and work as advertised. But they are also very expensive; the adapter I am reviewing currently sells brand new for around $750.00, while its PCI adapter cousin retails for around $390.00. So as you can see performance and name come with a steep price!
Like the Linksys Instant Wireless WPC11, (see my review on the WPC11: http://www.epinions.com/content_38866816644), the Aironet Wireless Ethernet Adapter PC4800B, is a fully functional Ethernet NIC that conforms to the 802.11b standards for performance in interoperability with other 802.11b wireless equipment. The card operates at a frequency of 2.4Ghz, and utilizes the same protocols as wired Ethernet adapters; i.e. TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, Microsofts’ NetBEUI, etc.
I obtained my PC4800B, a while before I bought the Linksys Instant Wireless Access Point WAP11, to utilize it with. Once the access point was up and running, I plugged the PC4800B into my notebook, running Windows 2000 Professional. The Operating System recognized the card immediately and to my surprise and glee, installed the drivers for it! That was all that needed to be done. No really! The PC4800B, without further configuration, detected the access point and started communicating with it. Instant network access.
It is worth noting that Cisco does ship a utility with the PC4800B that will relay certain information about the card, such as signal strength, and connection status, but I have yet to install it. In the near term I intend to rebuild my notebook and will install it at that time.
Just the Specs Man:
* Card Type PCMCIA Type II
* Standard IEEE 802.11b (with automatic scale back)
* Interoperable with IEEE 802.11b (DSSS) 2.4GHz-compliant Equipment
* 11 Mbps High-Speed Transfer Rate
* Compatible with Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT and Millennium
* Plug-and-Play Operation Provides Easy Set Up
* Advanced Power Management Features Conserve Valuable Notebook PC Battery Life
* Metal Design with Integrated Antenna
* Up to 128-Bit WEP Encryption
* LED’s Power, Transfer/Receive
{Operating Range}
* Indoor:
130 ft (40m) @ 11 Mbps
350 ft (107m) @ 1 Mbps
* Outdoor:
800 ft (244m) @ 11 Mbps
2000 ft (610m) @ 1 Mbps
Under real-world conditions, the PC4800B performs above my expectations. I took my notebook around the house last night (remember my access point is in an upstairs bedroom closet), and never once lost a signal; out to the front porch: signal still strong; garage: same results. So I have confidence that when we have our patio installed next spring that I will be able to enjoy spring days outside surfing the net instead of inside tied to my desk.
Would I recommend this card? Absolutely! Can most afford it? Probably not, but if you can, go for it; in the end performance you can count on always costs!
Recommended:
Yes
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vemartin
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Member: Vincent
Location: Aurora, IL
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