Microsoft introduced 802.11g-based wireless networking
gear yesterday, catching up with rivals Cisco Systems, Netgear and
D-Link Systems.
On offer in Microsoft's wireless Lan line are an 802.11g access
point with four-port Ethernet switch, the Microsoft Wireless Base
Station MN-700, and wireless cards for portable computers and
desktops, the Wireless Notebook Adapter MN-720 and Wireless PCI
Adapter MN-730 respectively.
Microsoft also introduced an adapter for the Xbox game console,
the Xbox Wireless Adapter MN-740. This 802.11g adapter allows
gamers to make their Xbox part of a wireless network, removing the
need to run cables to the game console for the Xbox Live online
gaming service.
The base station offers easy installation through wizards and
has a parental control feature. Users can restrict access to
specific websites by clients on the wireless network. Software
updates can be installed automatically and WEP (Wired Equivalent
Privacy) security is enabled by default.
The 802.11g technology supports transmission speeds up to 54Mbps
(bits per second), much faster than the 11Mbps supported by the
popular 802.11b standard. Both standards operate in the 2.4GHz
band, allowing 802.11b cards to work with an 802.11g access
point.
Wi-Fi certification for the new Microsoft 802.11g products was
completed last month, product manager Todd Greenberg said.
The new products are available only in the US and Canada.
Expected street price for the base station is $100. The notebook
and desktop adapters will retail for $80, while a combo pack of
base station and notebook adapter, the Wireless Notebook Kit
MN-820, will cost $170. The Xbox adapter will cost $129.
Microsoft will sell its existing 802.11b products alongside the
new 802.11g line.
Microsoft entered the Wlan fray with 802.11b-based products last
year, allowing users to share internet connections, printers and
files between computers wirelessly.
Joris Evers writes for IDG News Service