Rolling Meadows, IL-based U.S. Robotics
this week introduced a suite of wireless
networking products, including its first 802.11b wireless peer-to-peer
network.
Designed for home and small office users, the entire suite includes the
U.S. Robotics Wireless Access Point, Wireless PC Card and Wireless PCI
Adapter.
Wire-free companions
U.S. Robotics’ Wireless PCI Adapter or PC Cards can create a peer-to-peer
network that allows up to three computers to simultaneously share Internet
access, files and printers, if they are attached to PCs on the network.
Users can connect without wires at speeds of up to 11Mbps from as far
away as 300 feet in an open environment.
“Peer-to-peer networking at this speed has not previously been affordable
or available to homes and small offices,” said Christine Pomeroy, Vice
President of Marketing at U.S. Robotics. “Many people have connected reliably
to the Internet for years through a U.S. Robotics modem, and we are pleased
to bring that same heritage of connectivity to wireless networking.”
For a peer-to-peer network, one of the computers acts as a server and
enables wireless connectivity without a standalone Access Point. All networking
takes place through antennas built into the PC and PCI Cards. For customers
needing to network additional computers, U.S. Robotics offers its Wireless
Access Point that can network up to 20 computers.
Target market
“U.S. Robotics’ wireless solutions are flexible and affordable enough
to equip any multiple computer household or small businesses,” said Len
Landi, Product Line Manager for U.S. Robotics. “U.S. Robotics will capitalize
on its global brand and consumer and small business experience to become
a major provider of wireless networking in these markets.”
U.S. Robotics’ wireless products are interoperable with other 802.11b
wireless networking products. This interoperability enables U.S. Robotics
Wireless PC Cards, PCI Adapters and Access Points to be integrated into
an existing 802.11b network. Thus, users can take their laptop from work
with its existing 802.11b wireless PC Card and connect to the U.S. Robotics
wireless network they have installed at