Faster than a speeding bullet
In CNET Labs' tests, the Intel Pro/Wireless 5000 delivered more than four times the throughput of a typical 802.11b solution. Like 802.11b, 802.11a falls back to lower transmission speeds depending on range, signal strength, and network load. As your distance from the access point increases, your connection gradually slows to 48Mbps, 36Mbps, 24Mbps, 18Mbps, 12Mbps, 9Mbps, and finally 6Mbps.
CNET Labs found that the Pro/Wireless 5000 outperformed its 802.11b counterpart at distances up to 100 feet. After that, we had trouble connecting at all in our indoor environment. When we attempted to transmit data through walls our range decreased substantially. This makes the Pro/Wireless 5000 ideal for relatively open spaces with lots of users, such as large office spaces with cubicles. For interiors with several enclosed rooms, plan to invest in more access points to push your network into those hard-to-reach areas. The Site Survey utility included on CD-ROM can help you analyze signal strength in various locations and identify the best location for the access point.
Intel backs the Pro/Wireless 5000 LAN access point with a three-year warranty, which is among the best in the industry. Tech support is available Monday thorough Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, but unfortunately, it's a toll call. Because the product is so new, Intel has not yet posted any documentation, downloads, or FAQs on its Web site.
The Pro/Wireless 5000 is capable of delivering several times the throughput of any other wireless LAN solution we've seen. It can carry a much heavier load than 802.11b solutions, and its eight nonoverlapping channels will give you room to grow your network. Given how long it took for 802.11b to reach the mainstream market, its successor may not be an overnight success--at least until some of the security concerns can be ironed out. But the Intel Pro/Wireless 5000 LAN access point demonstrates that 802.11a has not only arrived but is a legitimate alternative to slower 802.11b solutions for forward-looking businesses.
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Throughput tests Measured in Mbps (longer bars indicate better performance) |
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Response time Measured in milliseconds (shorter bars indicate better performance) |
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How we tested For practical-throughput tests, CNET Labs uses NetIQ's Chariot software as its benchmark. For wireless testing, the clients and routers are set up to transmit at short ranges and at maximum signal strength. CNET Labs' response-time tests are also run with Chariot software using the TCP protocol. Response time measures how long it takes to send a request and receive a response over a network connection. Throughput and response time are probably the two most important indicators of user experience over a network. |
Where to buy
Intel Pro/Wireless 5000 LAN access point:
$67.99
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$67.99 | See Site |
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