IT Professionals

These are Some of my Favorite Wi-Fi Things

Posted by on Dec 27, 2004 | 3 Comments

Scribbled by Matt Wilkinson
JustCallMatt.net

I’ve installed a lot of Wireless LANs, mostly in residential settings, in the past couple of years. In an earlier post, I touched upon one of my frustrations stemming from the popularity of the technology. Now I’d like to share some of my favorite brands and products in this space.

Routers:
* D-Link DI-524 (802.11g). The DI-524 is cheap, easy to setup, as reliable as any other mainstream brand, and it has a detachable antenna.
* I’ve also used Linksys, Netgear, Belkin, all of which have worked well. Netgear’s routers tend to have fixed antennas, as do Belkin’s. Linksys uses a dual-antenna approach, but they have finally marketed stronger replacement antennas.

NICs:
* SMC SMC2536W-AG 2.4GHz/5Ghz 802.11a/g High Power Wireless Cardbus Adapter. It’s a bit more expensive than most PC Cards, but I find it to have much better signal sensitivity and use it when distance or obstructions might impact signal strength.
* Hawking HWU54D Hi-Gain USB Wireless-G Adapter. This is a USB Wireless Adapter, great for Desktops, that has an integrated Hi-Gain directional antenna.

Accessories:
* Hawking Technologies Hi-Gain external antennas: HAI6SDP is their external directional antenna, and HAI6SIP is their omnidirectional antenna. They work with most any Router or AP that has detachable antennas and include an adapter to work with the larger TNC-style connectors. They also have models that are designed for Apple’s Airport Extreme.
* Hawking Technologies HSB1 Signal Booster. This is a new gadget I haven’t even tried yet, but if it does what it’s supposed to do, it will dramatically increase signal coverage from a Router or AP. I will have a chance to try it very soon, and already have laid my hands on one.

That about covers it… as I encounter more WiFi related gems in my travels, I will report back.

  • Anonymous

    You can’t compare the two disasters.

    Yes, the Gulf oil disaster was terrible, and the damages may persist for decades or more.

    You can’t compare oil to radioactivity. Excess radiation might not settle down to tolerable levels for a hundred years or more. The effects of this excess radiation will be seen for generations of people yet unborn. The radiation could easily spread around the world.

    I was in the military. I was trained in Chemical, Biological and Radiological Warfare. I was reminded of the destructive power of nuclear bombs.

    The Gulf Stream disaster doesn’t hold a candle to the nuclear news in Japan.

    Each disaster, in its own right is a call for man to take greater care concerning our environment.

    • http://chris.pirillo.com/ Chris Pirillo

      I don’t think “man” will care for the environment so long as there’s money to be made – in any capacity. Energy has to come from somewhere.

      • Anonymous

        You may be right.

        I, however, still hope “Man” will learn before it’s too late.