Linksys WDT11 Instant Wireless-B PCI Adapter

Amazon.com Review
For those wanting to install the Linksys Wireless Network Card in a desk top PC, the Wireless-B PCI Adapter is the "PC card reader" necessary. This adapt er is only used with Linksys wireless cards.

The unit, when combined with the wireless card, offers the same networking power as a wired network with the ability to roam and the luxury of not running cables. The unit is of a standard size, and it even has handy "R" and "L" reference points on the network card tracks to make sure you place the card properly in your machine.

Installing the unit is straightforward: plug your wireless network card into the adapter's slot, open up your computer, place the adapter into an open PCI slot on the motherboard, secure (with a mounting screw that is not included), and power up. The computer recognizes the new hardware, and with the installation of drivers from both the Linksys CD and your Windows CD, the installation is complete. The card is not hot-swappable, so if you ever want to remove the card and replace it, be sure to do this while the machine is off.

The adapter itself needs no configuration as it serves only as a home for the wireless card. The accompanying paperwork provides clear instructions for the installation of the adapter, and includes the toll-free number for technical support should you run into difficulties. Adapter users should be aware, however, that both the Linksys customer support and the Web site will only help make sure that your hardware is properly in place: neither resource will guide you in configuring your network. In fact, technical support will refer you to another Web site. However, for those constructing a small office/home office network, the wireless route can be a painless way to sharing resources without having to worry about stringing cables.--Emily Dirks

Pros:

Easy installation with plug-and-play operation

Potential Cons:

Only works with the Linksys Wireless PC Card
Customer support of little help

See a comparison diagram of the different wireless technologies.

Wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular and coming down in price. Since they don't require cables, you can use the devices anywhere in an office or home, even out on the patio. There's no need to roll out an Ethernet network cable to each room of a house; you can network anywhere -- without wires. Outside of the home, wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops, businesses, airports -- great when you're on the road and need to get some work done. For convenience, wireless networking is the answer.

What Wireless Standard is Right for Me?
Now that you've decided to create a wireless network, the next step is to figure out which wireless standard to use.

Basically, a standard is a set of specifications for a device. All devices that follow a specific standard share operating characteristics, such as the radio frequency used and maximum data transfer speed.

For wireless networking, there are three standards to choose from at this time:

802.11b

802.11a

802.11g

To learn about the differences between the standards and select the right one for your network, click here for an easy-to-understand chart.

Product Description:
Whether you're at your desk or in the boardroom, the Linksys Instant Wireless PCI Adapter (with the Linksys Instant Wireless Network PC Card inserted) allows you to share printers, files, and more within your wireless LAN infrastructure, increasing your productivity and keeping you on the network. The Instant Wireless PCI Adapter gives you the freedom to work your way, from wherever you want. Just plug the Network PC Card into the PCI Adapter and you can take full advantage of a wireless network. A high-powered built-in Diversity antenna means that you're covered - at distances of up to 500 meters. Ready to run in any PCI-equipped desktop PC and compatible with virtually all major operating systems, the Instant Wireless PCI Adapter from Linksys is truly a "must-have" for all PC users.

Linksys WDT11 Instant Wireless-B PCI Adapter

Average customer rating:

Works great

Great Security and Speed!

Great Security and Speed!

There are far better alternatives

Hide the gun.....

Linksys WDT11 Instant Wireless-B PCI Adapter

Manufacturer: Linksys
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

$I\O Cards$ I\O Cards | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics | Additional Controllers | FireWire | Parallel & Serial Ports | SCSI | USB Ports
Desktop Cards | Wireless | Networking & Online Communication | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
All Wireless | Wireless | Linksys | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Network Adapters | Wireless | Linksys | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Wireless-B (802.11b) | Wireless | Linksys | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Product Features:

Works in conjunction with the Linksys Instant Wireless network PC Card

11 Mbps high-speed transfer rate (with PC Card inserted)

Compatible with Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, and Me

Interoperable with IEEE 802.11b (DSSS) 2.4 GHz-compliant equipment

Works with all standard Internet applications

ASIN: B00005854E

Amazon.com Review

For those wanting to install the Linksys Wireless Network Card in a desk top PC, the Wireless-B PCI Adapter is the "PC card reader" necessary. This adapt er is only used with Linksys wireless cards.

Pros:

Easy installation with plug-and-play operation

Potential Cons:

Only works with the Linksys Wireless PC Card
Customer support of little help

Amazon.com Product Description

Whether you're at your desk or in the boardroom, the Linksys Instant Wireless PCI adapter (with the Linksys Instant Wireless network PC Card inserted) allows you to share printers, files, and more within your wireless LAN infrastructure, increasing your productivity and keeping you on the network.

The Instant Wireless PCI adapter gives you the freedom to work your way, from wherever you want. Just plug the network PC Card into the PCI adapter and you can take full advantage of a wireless network. A high-powered built-in Diversity antenna means that you're covered at distances of up to 150 meters (492 feet) inside and 500 meters (1,640 feet) outside.

The Instant Wireless PCI adapter operates in any PCI-equipped desktop PC and is compatible with virtually all major operating systems.

Note that you need a Linksys Instant Wireless network PC Card to use this product.

Product Description

Whether you're at your desk or in the boardroom, the Linksys Instant Wireless PCI Adapter (with the Linksys Instant Wireless Network PC Card inserted) allows you to share printers, files, and more within your wireless LAN infrastructure, increasing your productivity and keeping you on the network. The Instant Wireless PCI Adapter gives you the freedom to work your way, from wherever you want. Just plug the Network PC Card into the PCI Adapter and you can take full advantage of a wireless network. A high-powered built-in Diversity antenna means that you're covered - at distances of up to 500 meters. Ready to run in any PCI-equipped desktop PC and compatible with virtually all major operating systems, the Instant Wireless PCI Adapter from Linksys is truly a "must-have" for all PC users.

Customer Reviews:

Works great.......2007-01-17

I have used this card with Win 98, XP and Win 2K. It works just fine. There are no real drivers for this card, rather they are for the PCMCIA card that one inserts into it. Most of the problems I ever saw were related to not having the latest drivers. However, this is true for all wireless products regardless of the vendor.

Great Security and Speed!.......2003-12-16

I've been using the WDT11 with the WPC11 ver.3 for a year and they work perfectly. The 128-bit WEP encryption and MAC filtering provides excellent security. I've got up to 2000kbps internet connection the security and a firewall running. I have used it with various PC cards and they work perfectly. Of course, the WDT11 works best with the WPC11. I've installed the WDT11 on a UNIX box and it worked perfectly too. WDT11 is very user-friendly, especially with WIN XP and WIN 2000.

Great Security and Speed!.......2003-12-16

There are far better alternatives.......2003-11-09

These adapters are just stupid. All the network card companies are selling these adapters which work exclusively with their network cards. If you look around on the internet, you can get similar adapters which will work with *any* PCMCIA card for a similar price.

Hide the gun............2003-09-04

I have never seen anything as bad as this. I have a BEFW11S4 router and a WMP11 card by Linksys. What a joke!!! Tech support is as bad as the product. The card made my comp crash so bad, I had to re-format the hard drive...yes everything gone. Never got it working. The manual is badly written. The first time in years that I've had any trouble installing anything. Word of wisdom....stay away from this product. I had to give it 1 star (which it doesn't deserve that). I could go on but what's the use.....

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics