Wireless-G is the new 54 Mbps wireless networking standard that's almost five times faster than the widely deployed 802.11b products found in homes, businesses, and public wireless hot spots around the country. But since they share the same 2.4 GHz radio band, 54 g wireless devices also work with existing 11 Mbps 802.11b equipment.

What is Wireless Networking?

Wireless networking is a relatively new technology that allows computers to be networked together without wires. Wireless networks are currently the fastest-growing type of networks because users can set them up without running cables between their computers. They also allow a user with a laptop the freedom to roam about his house, or in some cases, their garden, and still maintain access to the Internet and the rest of the network. This solution is more elegant than Ethernet when the computers are far apart from each other or from the cable modem.

What is Wireless-G?

Wireless-G or 802.11g to give it its proper name is a new type of wireless networking standard that's almost five times faster than the 802.11b standard found in homes, businesses and public wireless hot spots around the country. Running at 54 Mbps instead of 11 Mbps, wireless-G shares the same 2.4 GHz radio band as 802.11b and so will work with any existing 802.11b equipment on a network. When a wireless-G network is interfaced with an 802.11b network, the wireless-G network only drops to the lower 11 Mbps speed when communicating with the 802.11b network.

Wireless-G products

PCI Card The Linksys Wireless-G PCI Card can be installed on most desktops and lets you put your computer almost anywhere in the building, without the cost and hassle of running network cables. Now you don't have to drill holes in your walls and climb through the attic or cellar to get connected to the network. Once you're connected, you can keep in touch with your e-mail, access the Internet, use instant messaging to chat with friends and share files and other resources such as printers and network storage with other computers on the network.

The Wireless-G PCI Card connects you with Wireless-G networks at an incredible 54 Mbps! And for added versatility, it can also interoperate with all the 11 Mbps Wireless-B (802.11b) products found in homes, businesses and public wireless hot spots around the country. And in either mode, your wireless communications are protected by up to 128-bit encryption, so your data stays secure.

Wireless-G Notebook Adapter The new Wireless-G Notebook Adapter from Linksys has both standards built in, so you can connect your notebook to existing 802.11b infrastructure and to the new screamingly fast Wireless-G networks. The included Setup Wizard will walk you through configuring the adapter to your network's settings, step by step. Then just slide it into your notebook's PC Card slot and enjoy network access with your notebook computer, while retaining true mobility.

Once you're connected, you can keep in touch with your e-mail, access the Internet and share files and other resources such as printers and network storage with other computers on the network, wherever you wander. At home, you can surf the Web or use instant messaging to chat with friends while sitting out on the patio. You'll also be able to connect with any of the growing number of public wireless hot spots springing up in coffee shops, airport lounges, hotels and convention centres. And as those hot spots upgrade to the new high-speed Wireless-G standard, you'll be ready to take advantage of the increased speeds.

Wireless-G Access Point The Linksys Wireless-G Access Point lets you connect Wireless-G or Wireless-B devices to the network. Since both standards are built in, you can protect your investment in existing 802.11b infrastructure, and migrate your network clients to the new screamingly fast Wireless-G standard as your needs grow.

To protect your data and privacy, the Wireless-G Access Point can encrypt all wireless transmissions, and can support the industrial-strength wireless security of 802.1x authentication and authorisation. The MAC Address filter lets you decide exactly who has access to your wireless network. Configuration is a snap with the Web browser-based configuration utility.

Wireless-G Broadband Router The Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router is really three devices in one box. First, there's the Wireless Access Point, which lets you connect Wireless-G or Wireless-B devices to the network. There's also a built-in 4-port full-duplex 10/100 Switch to connect your wired-Ethernet devices. Connect four PCs directly, or daisy-chain out to more hubs and switches to create as big a network as you need. Finally, the Router function ties it all together and lets your whole network share a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection.

To protect your data and privacy, the Wireless-G Broadband Router can encrypt all wireless transmissions, and can support the industrial-strength wireless security of 802.1x authentication and authorisation. The Router can serve as a DHCP Server, has NAT technology to protect against Internet intruders, supports VPN pass-through, and can be configured to filter internal users' access to the Internet. Configuration is a snap with the Web browser-based configuration utility.