Intel Corporation announced today the availability of a suite of wireless networking products based on the IEEE 802.11a standard, with data transfer speeds up to 54 Mbps.
Intel’s PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN family of products is oriented towards small to medium sized businesses (SMB). Intel stated that the suite contains everything necessary to set up a WLAN including access points, desktop and mobile PC adapters, and configuration software. Intel also stated that it is supplying a mini-PCI adapter to OEMs for integrating WLAN capability into mobile PCs. The company is also offering a dual-mode expansion kit enabling the access point to support products based on 802.11a and 802.11b.
Specific products include the Intel PROSet Software for configuration and maintenance, which includes the PRO/Wireless Adapter Switching software with advanced profile, power and network management tools. Intel Labs, which developed the Adapter Switching software, reported that it enables mobile users to move between wired and wireless network connections without reconfiguring or rebooting.
Also released were the Intel PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN Access Point, the Intel PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN CardBus Adapter for mobile PCs, and the Intel PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN PCI Adapter for desktops. The company stated that these products are available now in the U.S. and in other countries that have regulatory approval with suggested retail prices of $449, $179, and $229 respectively.
The products are all available through distributors and VARs. Product information including pricing is available at the Intel Web site.
Matthew Peretz is Managing Editor of 802.11-Planet.com
