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NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: NEAL WEINBERG on
PRODUCT REVIEWS 01/29/02 Today's focus: 802.11a access points, Part 1 Dear Wincenty Kaminski, In this issue: * Consistency is key for 802.11a access points from Proxim and Intel * Links related to Network World product reviews * Featured reader resource _______________________________________________________________ Only the best products debut at DEMO. February 10-12, 2002 * Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort * Phoenix, Arizona DEMO introduces the products forecast to shape the marketplace and market trends in the coming year. Top analysts, developers, executives, venture backers and journalists gather to experience the best products and connect with technology's elite at this hands-on event. Visit http://www.idgconferences.com/demo/brochurenw1.pdf or http://www.idgconferences.com/demo/nw1 to register. _______________________________________________________________ Today's focus: 802.11a access points, Part 1 By Neal Weinberg The Reviewmeister couldn't wait to test the new 802.11a wireless access points. These babies run at a screaming 54M bit/sec, compared to only 11M bit/sec for 802.11b products. We tested four products from three companies: Proxim's Harmony (targeted at the enterprise), Proxim's Skyline Access Point, Intel's Pro/Wireless 5000 and SMC's 2755W access point. All are based on the same wireless chipset/reference model from Atheros, but unlike cookie-cutter 802.11b products, their flexibility, management and performance varied. In our tests, two of the three vendors, Proxim and Intel, submitted products that performed consistently. The speed demon (over the widest broadcast range) in the bunch, SMC, had very fast performance - and occasionally, highly erratic behavior until we downloaded "another Version 1.0" of its firmware. Compatibility between different access points and the CardBus adapters supplied was very good. In 802.11a mode, all the adapters could connect to every access point - even with Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption enabled. In ad hoc mode (connecting two PCs without an access point), all the adapters worked well together with the other access points, with some cards having better speed. But when we used "turbo mode" (a multichannel, nonstandard mode) between an access point and a competing adapter, we couldn't achieve a connection between that card and the access point. For now, turbo mode shoots compatibility dead between different products, resulting in disappointing performance. * Proxim Proxim clocked in the fastest rates, both in compatibility mode and with its own access point. Running against the Intel access point, the Proxim card turned in a 22M bit/sec score. Proxim also turned in the best score with its own access point, with 17.6M bit/sec. Proxim's Harmony product line uses a central wireless hub management appliance to control the Harmony access points. The management appliance then controls the Proxim access points (802.11a or 802.11b) on a subnet. We found the Web-based access point controller application to be incredibly thorough and easy to use with multiple Harmony access point deployments. If the Harmony access points are located on the same subnet, an access point controller can be set to apply rules to any newly joining Harmony access point. Indeed, we found that when the controller goes offline, the access points stopped within a few seconds - they're slaves to the controller. Proxim also produces an access point in its Skyline product line, and its characteristics were virtually identical to Harmony's in performance. The main difference between Skyline and Harmony is that the Skyline access points can't be managed by the access point controller. The Harmony line also includes a proprietary encryption algorithm that's different from WEP, but Proxim refused to say how it's different. This encryption method is in addition to the 54-bit through 128-bit WEP encryption methods available and common to all the access points we tested. Another Harmony feature is a forced VPN tunneling method that can also force logons to a single server. This adds a great deal of security to mobile networks and could potentially reduce drive-by logon risks dramatically. Additional security imposed at the server that is the target of the tunnel requires the "drive-bys" to get past whatever security is imposed at the server as well. The Harmony access point controller also supports Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) for added authentication, media access control (MAC) layer address admittance control and SNMP for monitoring. Multicasts can also be filtered. This helps improve performance on wireless segments. While the Harmony line was easiest to set up from a multiple access point perspective, its "2X" performance was disappointing except in ad hoc mode. Proxim's 2X mode is designed to operate at a theoretical rate of 108M bit/sec, approaching the speed of Fast Ethernet. In our testing, we didn't come close. Worse, we saw a severe drop-off in range in 2X mode, to the point where we had difficulty completing tests in the 72-foot range. We were disappointed, as we wanted a good excuse not to wire 100Base-TX. * Intel Compared with Proxim's access point, Intel's Pro/Wireless 5000 has no frills. The Pro/Wireless 5000 is managed through a Web interface. Unlike Proxim and SMC, Intel doesn't have a turbo mode. The Pro/Wireless 5000 uses a fairly utilitarian setup, with an "express" setup that will be sufficient for most installations. The Pro/Wireless 5000 also lacks encryption beyond WEP standard encryption. This means that the maximum encryption available is 128-bit. While MAC admittance control is available, there's no provision for RADIUS authentication or any other authentication capability. Like the other access points tested, the Pro/Wireless 5000 can be configured as a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server. The Intel access point has fixed antennae. An option is available to limit the antenna pattern to "half circle front" from an omnidirectional pattern, but we found only a nominal boost in performance when we chose this option. Like the other access points tested, the Intel unit allows a wide choice of channels to be chosen. No provision is made for traffic or protocol filtering. While slow on performance, it was consistent across the ranges. We tested the Pro/Wireless 5000 less than the others because it had no errors and no additional modes to test. Sometimes "boring" has its place in connectivity; Intel's product was consistent and satisfying in its consistency. For the full report, go to http://www.nwfusion.com/reviews/2002/0128rev2.html. _______________________________________________________________ To contact Neal Weinberg: Neal Weinberg is features editor at Network World, in charge of product reviews, Buyer's Guides, technology primers, how-tos, issue-oriented feature stories and the Technology Insider series. You can reach him at mailto:nweinber@nww.com. _______________________________________________________________ NW Fusion's Buy IT provides the resources you need to make better buying decisions. Post your IT needs anonymously and FREE! Search our directory of qualified providers, review company White Papers, and select the right provider. Buy IT helps get your projects done right. Try it today! http://nwfusion.newmediary.com/nww120601nwltrb _______________________________________________________________ RELATED EDITORIAL LINKS D-LinkAir family updated for 802.11a PC World, 12/13/01 http://www.nwfusion.com/net.worker/news/2001/1213dlinkair.html Proxim ships first 802.11a wireless LAN card Network World Fusion, 10/11/01 http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2001/1011proxim.html The archive for Reviews is: http://www.nwfusion.com/reviews/index.html _______________________________________________________________ FEATURED READER RESOURCE Network World Fusion's Net.Worker site Whether your company is growing larger or scaling back, corporate managers are looking for ways to cut costs while retaining and recruiting star employees. One smart solution - at least on paper - is to let some employees work from home. Network World's Net.Worker Web site bridges the gap between the telework concept and the hardware, software and services needed to make it happen. We bring you news and reviews, sound advice and keen insight into the technologies and solutions you need to manage a remote and mobile workforce. Visit http://www.nwfusion.com/net.worker/index.html _______________________________________________________________ May We Send You a Free Print Subscription? You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered at your fingertips each day. Now, extend your knowledge by receiving 51 FREE issues to our print publication. Apply today at http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/nl _______________________________________________________________ SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World e-mail newsletters, go to: http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/news/scripts/notprinteditnews.asp To unsubscribe from promotional e-mail go to: http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/ep To change your e-mail address, go to: http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/news/scripts/changeemail.asp Subscription questions? Contact Customer Service by replying to this message. Have editorial comments? Write Jeff Caruso, Newsletter Editor, at: mailto:jcaruso@nww.com For advertising information, write Jamie Kalbach, Director of Online Sales, at: mailto:jkalbach@nww.com Copyright Network World, Inc., 2002 ------------------------ This message was sent to: vkamins@enron.com
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