SMC shipping draft 11n auto-QoS router

SMC Networks yesterday announced the start of shipments of its Barricade N Draft 11n Broadband Router (SMCWBR14-N2).

The product has both ‘Works with Windows Vista’ and Wi-Fi certifications. Hardware features include a 4-port 10/100 switch, firewall with Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) and "intelligent stream handling" technology. WPA and WPA2 wireless encryption is supported along with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) for easy push button or PIN-configuration wireless security setup.

The SMCWBR14-N2 is priced at $114.99 (MSRP).

Linksys Range Plus is Draft 11n in Disguise

Today's announcement by Linksys of its "affordable" Range Plus product line (WRT100, WPC100) is an odd one. The product line is described as using "MIMO" technology to provide extended coverage at a price point around $100. But a look at the FCC Test report reveals the real technology used.

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Cisco jumps on the draft 11n bandwagon

Cisco yesterday announced an Aironet series access point with dual 802.11n Draft 2.0 radios.

The modular Cisco Aironet 1250 Series access point has a modular design with 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz 802.11n draft 2.0 standard radio modules. Cisco says that the AP can deliver "total data rates of up to 600 Mbps". The 1250 is an addition to Cisco's Unified Wireless Network product line and can be deployed in both standalone and "unified" (lightweight AP) modes.

Misusing MIMO

As is too often the case, yet another networking term that initially had clear meaning has been grabbed by the marketeers and is being used to lure gullible buyers.

Waiting for Draft 2.0 updates

While the Wi-Fi Alliance's list of 802.11n Draft 2.0 certified products is growing longer, of course, there is still a catch. A product's appearance in the list doesn't necessarily mean that the products you can buy today are Draft 2.0 compliant. Nor does it mean that you can download firmware and drivers to bring them into compliance, either.

SMC shipping draft 11n trio

SMC Networks announced today that it has started shipping three draft 11n wireless LAN products.

The SMC Barricade N Wireless 4-port Gigabit Broadband Router (SMCWGBR14-N) features a four port gigabit switch, built-in "Intelligent Stream Handling" auto-QoS technology and USB print server. Wireless security features include WPA and WPA2 support and Wi-Fi Protected Setup(WPS).

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IEEE 802 Wireless Meeting Summary – July 2007

• 802.11-2007 Edition of the standard incorporating 802.11a, b, c, d, e, g, h, i and j was published in June of 2007. The following 9 amendments to this edition are now in progress: 802.11k, n, p, r, s, u, v, w and y.

• 802.11k – Radio Resource Measurement – has been forwarded to sponsor ballot; final approval expected December 2007

• 802.11n – High Throughput – 3076 comments received on draft 2 with 1594 technical comments; 1200 technical comments remain to be resolved; expect draft 3.0 to be approved in the September 2007 interim meeting; final approval expected at the end of 2008

AirMagnet adds draft 11n support

AirMagnet today announced AirMagnet Laptop Analyzer 7.5, which is says is the industry’s first mobile WLAN analyzer to natively decode and analyze 802.11n Wi-Fi networks.

The release also adds support for the Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System.

Laptop Analyzer 7.5 is a free upgrade for current users.