SMC2735W 802.11a Wireless Cardbus Adapter

Rating:
Summary: No problems - mostly
Review: Configuration was a little opaque until I actually read the instructions. I use two of these with a Symbol Technologies WS5000 and Hydra a/b access port, I get 54Mbps a few yards from the port and still a reasonable rate of about 12Mbps 100 feet away through a couple of walls. Way more than my cable modem can support anyway. I have yet to see any 802.11 gear meet the published range specifications anywhere except a parking lot with a direct line of sight. 5GHz doesn't go through walls well, especially metal walls, no surprise there. This is one case where bigger numbers isn't better, but I haven't had a problem relating to this product. For me an advantage of 11a is that most people don't have it, and will go for 11g, so I'm unlikely to find anyone hacking my (WEP secured) network.

Rating:
Summary: Use 802.11g
Review: I have access to an 802.11A+G network, and read a little about connecting before I decided to go out and get the 802.11A card (Less interferance, same speed as G). After purchasing this, I found that the higher bandwidth is more a disadvantage than an advantage. the 802.11A frequency has lower "punch-through" of walls, meaning that through barriers it looses more of its strength than the 802.11G Frequency. I returned this card, and picked up an 802.11G card, and have had much more success connecting to the network from anywhere.

Rating:
Summary: Use 802.11g
Review: In our office, we have a network with four of these and the associated access point (SMC SMC2755W EZ Connect 802.11a). It is very fast and works great for most applications including accessing data and file server with no speed issues. Occasionally the most remote users loose their connection to the access point and that can be frustrating, but they are over 60 feet away and separated by three interior walls.
Is the extra speed necessary for internet access - no, but for heavier file and data sharing applications, it helps. The rated speed is 72 MBPS, but it does degrade over distance, through barriers, and during other random times.
We are happy with this network solution - it was easy to install and configure, and saved us the cost of installing a wired network in someone else's building.

Rating:
Summary: Very Fast , But Some Issues
Review: In our office, we have a network with four of these and the associated access point (SMC SMC2755W EZ Connect 802.11a). It is very fast and works great for most applications including accessing data and file server with no speed issues. Occasionally the most remote users loose their connection to the access point and that can be frustrating, but they are over 60 feet away and separated by three interior walls.
Is the extra speed necessary for internet access - no, but for heavier file and data sharing applications, it helps. The rated speed is 72 MBPS, but it does degrade over distance, through barriers, and during other random times.
We are happy with this network solution - it was easy to install and configure, and saved us the cost of installing a wired network in someone else's building.