On Tue, 4 Jun 2002 09:30:31 -0500 Andy Warner <andyw at pobox.com> wrote: > Do you have another client card you can test with ? I've used > 7004AWBRs before and their performance hasn't been as bad as > you report. I have never used SMC client cards, because I've > heard poor stories of their performance. > > I have a Orinoco silver card that I could lend you to > play compare/contrast. Will you be at tonight's meeting ? > > Your email does highlight another interesting point - that > these high-functionality combo AP/firewall/print-server/toothbrush/ > switch units aren't always the right choice. Often, the optimal > location for an AP is not the optimal place for the rest of > the functions. > -- > Andy Warner Voice: (612) 801-8549 Fax: (208) 575-5634 Actually, I just joined the list 10 minutes before posting ;-) If not for P. Sheehy's post, I wouldn't have known about it. That's a generous offer, but I'm not sure I can make the meeting on short notice. Second card? No, this gear was my plunge into wireless. I plan to pick up an Orinoco silver ASAP (good Linux vibe, external antenna .. albeit proprietary connector). Truth be told, my test was with a 2632W V.2 (Prism 2.5 based), under W98. I later swapped that for the older 2632W for better Linux compat. I agree on the AP/toothbrush point, I went in looking for the SMC 2655W expecting to pay $159.99 (CompUSA) and then saw the 7004AWBR at $99 after rebate. Based on the packaging, they seemed quite similar, I see the data sheets tell a slightly different story: 2655W: Output Power: +15dBm (minimum) 50 mW (maximum) Sensitivity: Min.-76dBm for 11 Mbps @BER 10E-5; Min.-80dBm for 5.5/2/1 Mbps @BER 10E-5 7004AWBR: Output Power: >+13dBm Receive sensitivity: Min. -76dBm for 11Mbps; Min. -80dBm for 5.5/2/1 Mbps ; (@BER 10E-5) Location? I can live with mounting it near a window, if necessary ;-) In the last few hours, I'm leaning towards keeping the 7004AWBR (given the price) and using it at a different location .. which still leaves me in need of an AP at home. -- p.s. I called SMC support to verify the V.2 was a Prism 2.5 (google is nearly void of "2632W-V2" and "2632 V.2") and told him my 68' story. He was anything but surprised and went on to say "Yea, those numbers [on the box] .. they pretty much test 'em in a vacuum." Stay tuned .. -Jay