As wireless networking becomes more mainstream and practical, developers are releasing
newer and sleeker models. Lucent Technologies, a major player in the wireless networking
field, has released WaveLAN Turbo 11 MB system, a wireless Ethernet network interface card
(NIC). The WaveLAN is designed for a laptop (Windows or Macintosh OS) to be attached to an
existing LAN, a wireless workgroup, or a self-contained wireless LAN. There is also an ISA
adapter designed to work in a desktop PC running Windows 95/98, NT, and CE; MS-DOS; or
Linux. The WaveLAN card slides into the adapter, which is mounted in the desktop PC. This
is an innovative way of incorporating PC card technology into a desktop PC. The WaveLAN
card is compliant with the 802.11b High Rate (HR) system. There are two flavors of
WaveLAN: Silver and Gold, each with a different encryption scheme.
INSTALLATION
In addition to the WaveLAN card, there are a few other parts needed for a wireless
network. For the desktop station, there is the WaveLAN IEEE 802-11 ISA card kit, which
contains a WaveLAN IEEE 802.11 PC card (the same card that fits in the laptop), an ISA
adapter card, the software, and docu-mentation. The adapter is an ISA card, which allows
desktop PCs to utilize a WaveLAN card. This is an interesting feature, a concept that we
find to be innovative and very exciting. There is also a CD-ROM that contains the software
and documentation.
In addition to the PC cards and adapter, there is also a WavePOINT-II Access Point, a
device designed to integrate wireless nodes into an existing LAN or create a wireless LAN.
This device comes with an AC adapter, a mounting bracket, software, and documentation.
This box is easy to figure out box, with two Ethernet connections (one is a coaxial
connector, 10Base2 and the other 10/100Base-T) and a mounting bracket. This product comes
with two installer floppies (what, no CD-ROM?), and is used to create a totally wireless
LAN, or to hook into an existing Ethernet LAN.
DOCUMENTATION
Lucent’s documentation for WaveLAN (and the other products) is excellent. The same
documentation is available in both hard copy and in Acrobat format. This is a good
feature, because having the identical information in both places is the best way to handle
manuals for high-end products, and gives the user and administrator more flexibility to
use their preferred method of documentation.
Lucent is a top tier firm, and is known for better than average documentation. With
WaveLAN (and other Lucent products we’ve worked with in the past), we’ve found
that the documentation is better than equally complex products from other companies. The
topics are clear, well defined, and there are plenty of graphics throughout the manual.
All in all, the documentation is clear, organized, and helpful. The help directory on
the Software Install CD-ROM is located in the top directory of the CD-ROM, making it
accessible by double-clicking the CD under "My Computer" or by using Windows
Explorer. Well done!
FEATURES
WaveLAN and the other components have several good features. Lucent has supplied a kit to
create wireless networking, which is flexible and can be used in several different
configurations. There are three different scenarios in which this product can be used.
(The Operational Testing section fully explains this.)
WaveLAN Turbo is compatible with their two previous Mbps and Turbo versions. It is not
compatible, however, with other high-speed 802.11b branded systems, bu it is designed to
be compliant with the WECA (Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance) Wi-Fi "wireless
fidelity”" standard.
There are several other good features of WaveLAN, which include:
- Flexible configuration.
- Easily enabled power management and encryption.
- Client software makes it easy to position access points for coverage in a large
building.
- Low power output, which means longer battery life for laptops running on batteries.
- Excellent security, which uses 64 bit key (WaveLAN Silver) or 128 bit key (WaveLAN Gold)
using RC4 encryption.
There is also the WavePOINT-II Access Point device. This is the box that provides a
transparent bridge between WaveLAN stations that contain the IEEE 802.11 compliant cards,
computers with previous generation WaveLAN cards (WaveLAN/PCMCIA and WaveLAN/ISA cards),
or computers connected to the WavePOINT-II device via a 10Base-T or 10Base2 backbone.
OPERATIONAL TESTING
We tested the WaveLAN Silver card in both a laptop and our desktop PC. Upon reading the
documentation we learned that there are three different ways to use the WaveLAN in a
“real world” situation, the Ad-Hoc Wireless Workgroup, the Stand Alone Wireless
LAN, and as part of an existing, wired LAN. The properties for the WaveLAN are configured
as any other standard networking properties are.
Ad-Hoc Wireless Workgroup
The Ad-Hoc Wireless Workgroup is a small, wireless workgroup in which participants
exchange files using Microsoft-supported software such as "File and Printer
Sharing." This configuration is best implemented in a SOHO environment, where the
stations are within range of each other. There are no complications to this method, and it
is configured by checking of the Ad-Hoc Demo Mode box in the WaveLAN/IEEE PC card
properties. The user doesn’t have to bother with IP numbers, and as long as the PCs
are configured the same way, and are within range of each other, the user will see both
the local machine and the other PC with the WaveLAN card.
Stand-Alone Wireless LAN
The stand-alone wireless LAN is slightly more complicated. This is an actual LAN, the only
difference is that the nodes are connected by the WaveLAN, rather than 10 or 100 Base-T
cables. This requires use of the WavePOINT Access Point box, described earlier, and
configuration of the network properties, the same way a PC is configured to work on a
traditional LAN.
Existing, Wired LAN
Finally, you can attach the device with the WaveLAN to an existing LAN Infrastructure. The
node containing the WaveLAN can be moved anywhere within the coverage area, or add or move
WavePOINT-II access points, and the computer is on the network. This allows a laptop user
to move freely throughout the room or coverage area, and not be restricted by cables that
limit the movement of a node on a standard LAN. This is the most complicated, and would
probably be most used in real-world situations.
Our first test was to operate the peer-to-peer portion of the product. We installed the
cards and software in two high-end PCs — a Dell desktop and an IBM ThinkPad. As
mentioned earlier, the physical installation of the cards was easy. The card fits in the
PC card slot on the laptop, and in the ISA adapter in the desktop PC. The ISA card is a
simple install, as easy as any other ISA card. We set up an ad-hoc network —the IBM
laptop and a Dell desktop, both running Windows 98. We configured the network settings as
specified in the documentation, and checked in the Network Neighborhood. We saw both the
Dell and the IBM ThinkPad. Then, to test the speed and reliability of the wireless LAN, we
attempted to share some files.
File Sharing —Copy That?
The files did copy using the WaveLAN, albeit slower than a normal hard-wired situation. An
8MB file took about 18 seconds to fully copy from one PC to the other. Copying the same
file on our 100 Base-T network took just over one second. This is where all wireless
networking products show their limitation, as the speed was far below our 100Base-T
network, and the same test on a hard-wired 10 Base-T connection was significantly faster
than the WaveLAN card.
However, the range of the WaveLAN is very good. We moved the laptop around the labs and
editorial offices, through cubicles, hallways, and other sections of the building, and the
network connection remained intact. In fact, it wasn’t until we exited the premises
and went down to street level that the network connection stopped working. Considering we
didn’t use the optional Range Extender Antenna for the cards, or the larger antenna
for the WavePOINT, this was excellent functionality. However, the idea of attaching an
antenna to the card starts to defeat the simplicity of having a wireless network.
WavePOINT Access Point
The WavePOINT Access Point was slightly harder to set up, as it’s out of the realm of
standard Windows networking configuration. However, this is an important part of the
setup, as it allows wireless nodes to be connected to a standard LAN. This requires a more
centralized location, and there is also an optional antenna, which is more of a fixed
item, as this unit would not be moved around.
A high, central location is required for the WavePOINT-II. This worked as well as the
Ad-Hoc Network, but required additional configuration of the Network properties as well as
configuring the WavePOINT-II Access Point software, which shouldn’t be difficult for
an experienced professional, but might be too much for the average non-technical user.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
WaveLAN by Lucent Technologies is a solid product, with few “Room For
Improvement” issues. Our main complaint is that the configuration for the desktop PC
adapter is only available as an ISA card, and not in a PCI card configuration. Because
some PCs also only have 2 ISA slots, it makes it difficult because quite often
they’re filled with other network cards, sound cards or modems.
The disks for the Access Point only come on two floppies and not a CD-ROM, which is a
strange choice for a desktop computer. Other than these minor points, there aren’t
any other room for improvement issues with either the WaveLAN PC cards, or any other part
of the wireless networking products.
CONCLUSION
This is an excellent product for wireless networking that works much better than average,
but has the standard limitations of all wireless products, notably a slower rate of file
transfer. As this technology becomes more commonplace and developers refine the
technology, the wireless network will become more of a reality, and will lose its
(undeserved) novelty status. Because of the ease of installation, and its excellent
performance during our extensive testing, we award WaveLAN by Lucent Technologies with our
Editors’ Choice Award. |
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