Jason Montano
EF4
Yes, the silver Ornioco cards do not have the ability to plug in an external antenna.
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WiFi... is it worth it?
- Thread starter Cstok
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Yes, the silver Ornioco cards do not have the ability to plug in an external antenna.
Jason Montano
EF4
here is a link to the product description for the Orinoco Silver and Gold 802.11b cards.
http://www.proxim.com/products/wifi/client...card/index.html
Dan Cook
EF5
I just got my silver card and it has an antenna hookup.
Jason Montano
EF4
hmm, I guess I am wrong then, that was my understanding from reading that product description and descriptions on ebay.Jon Miller
EF2
I'm a little confused - which Orinoco card is the one to get for a laptop ? - they show several on their web page :
http://www.proxim.com/products/wifi/client/
Jason Montano
EF4
I would recommend the Orinoco 11b Gold PC card. It does not support the 11g technology but I have found very few 11g WiFi networks. Although if you want the ability to access the 11g networks aswell I would say the 11 b/g Gold PC card would be the choice. Though I am not sure about the external antenna capabilities of the 11 b/g card. maybe someone else could expand on that.
http://www.proxim.com/products/wifi/client/11bpccard/index.htm
http://www.proxim.com/products/wifi/client...card/index.htmlB Ozanne
EF5
Aren't most 11g routers backwards compatible to 11b? All the ones I have seen in the store are. B cards will work on a G network, but only at B speeds.Dan Robinson
Another thing to keep in mind about B and G cards/routers is that the internet speed will only be as fast as the network's parent internet connection. That is, for all practical purposes, you won't see any difference in download/upload internet speeds between B and G networks.
For instance, if the host network is on a 512Kbps DSL or cable connection, that's the maximum speed you'll get when you connect, both on a B or a G card. So, for now you can stick to the less expensive B adapters with no compromise in wireless internet performance. Even the fastest internet connections available today (and well into the foreseeable future) are far slower than the Wireless-B operating speeds.
For most people, there's no real advantage to having a G adapter over a B. Right now the only way to take advantage of the G networks' speed is for computer-to-computer file transfers on the same network (intranet file transfers).
For instance, if you're frequently moving things like 500MB - 1GB video files from your laptop to your desktop PC via wireless, then G is a big help.
Scott A. Kampas
EF4
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2003
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Todd Rittinger
EF4
Assuming that you are not just referring to DSL/Cable access, the above statement is not correct. There are massive amounts of Internet bandwidth available in basically any speed you are willing to pay for. 802.11B will only give you an average throughput of about 6 Meg; ethernet, TCP, and radio overhead suck the rest.
Be well, TR
Susan Strom
EF5
...and even as WiFi is cool...WiMAX is coming, soon to extend distances and provide more seamless coverage. Intel & Nokia are working on it.
Todd Rittinger
EF4
Agreed Susan, WiMAX will be a kewl and helpful tool. As it operates in licensed frequencies, providers can pump more juice than the 1watt that ISM/UNI-II unlicensed bands are limited to. This will help to broaden signal range, maintain high speeds, and work to eliminate line of site issues that are the primary downfall of WiFi gear...
Be well, TR
Stuart Robinson
EF5
Going back to the difference between the gold and Silver Orinoco cards.. the silver card only allows for 64 bit encryption while the gold is 128bit – in plain English this is just how complex the “passwords†can be between the Access point and your wireless card and is not something to worry about while chasing. Both card have external antnna jacks ... so ether will work.
There has been a vast improvement on the amount of WiFi access points this year over 2003 – hopefully the trend to have open networks will continue but having said that I don’t think anyone objects to paying a few $ for a hook up at a truck stop.
Todd Rittinger
EF4
Bang on there Stuart. WEP encryption is not really relevent for chasing, nor is it secure by any means; can be hacked by any keener. There is a point to consider with encryption overall: it will decrease your throughput noticably due to overhead in the process. As far as I'm concerned, WEP total junk.
Be well, TR
Jeff Snyder
EF5
And thus the reason for WPA... and the new security protocol 802.11i (?... or e?, one of them at least)...Similar threads
