Linksys, today announced its Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge (WET54G), the industry’s first wireless Ethernet Bridge supporting the draft IEEE 802.11g standard.
The 54Mbps device is fully compatible with 802.11b, includes support for Power over Ethernet and is driver-free, allowing it to work on any platform including video games or digital music players. It’s a 54 Mbps follow-on to the Linksys WET-11, a 802.11b-only bridge.
Setup is configured through a PC’s web browser, then it’s plugged in to the device you want to go wireless. An optional POE Adapter supplies AC power over Ethernet. It can be configured either for 11g only or mixed mode and is available immediately for $199 retail.
Features for the Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge include:
- Connect any Ethernet-equipped device
- Operates in the 2.4GHz frequency spectrum up to 54 Mbps.
- Complies with the IEEE draft 802.11g standard and backward compatible with 802.11b products.
- Installs in minutes.
- Easy configuration from any web browser.
- Security up to 128-bit WEP encryption.
- Supports Power over Ethernet.
- Ubicom IP2022 processor and software for high speed processing of data and images.
- Equipped with one standard 10/100 interface.
Other Linksys products include the WRT-54G, a single-band, 802.11g-only wireless router (using Broadcom 54G chips), and the WRT-55AG, a dual-band, tri-mode wireless router using both an Atheros (11a) and Broadcom (b/g) chipset. Those products do not support wireless bridging or repeating themselves. Wireless bridges like the WET-54G or the WET-11 are sometimes used in multi-point campus networking projects.
How about a wireless BikeCam? Connect YDI’s amplifed +18db panel($500) or a big dish ($50), to the 54-G Bridge ($150) for the backhaul. Then plug it into a Linksys WAP-11 ($99) with a 1 watt power booster ($99) for good measure. Wander around with a wireless MPEG-4 camera ($300) for live pictures and sounds. Cablecast it. Sunday in the Park Live - with Bad George.
Broadcom-based, 54-G product outputs 32mWatts. You might plug in a +14dB panel ($37), a +18dB panel ($69), a +19dB panel ($49), or a +24dB grid antenna ($80) and see how far you could go.
.gif)
