SMC SMC2602W 802.11b 11 Mbps Wireless PCI Card

Product Description
The EZ Connect 802.11b 11 Mbps Wireless PCI Card is an IEEE 802.11b-compliant 2.4 GHz 11 Mbps Wireless PCI Card. It meets the needs of small business and corporate users who require an 11 Mbps wireless connection to an existing LAN. This adapter features an operating range of up to 1,155 feet, and true plug-and-play installation in all desktop computers. Great for mobile users, temporary work sites and a range of other applications, wireless technology provides optimal mobility, simple and flexible installation options and excellent scalability in supporting additional PCs. The technology is also ideal for use with cable or xDSL modems,as well as SOHO and corporate applications. In the typical wireless configuration, a 2.4 GHz 11 Mbps Wireless Access Point (SMC2655W) connects to a wired network. Users access the LAN via SMC wireless adapters in their notebooks or desktops. The wireless LAN adapters interface between the client Network Operating System and the Wireless Access Point. In a peer-to-peer (Ad-Hoc Mode) configuration, one wireless card is needed for each computer, but no Access Point is required.

Product Description:
The wireless LAN solution is the easiest alternative to a traditional wired network. The solution connects your desktop PC instantly with an existing Ethernet installation to support mobile users, temporary work sites, and other applications ranging from the classroom to the boardroom. Wireless technology provides the maximum user mobility, simple and flexible installation options, a reduced cost of ownership (no cabling costs or maintenance) and excellent scalability in supporting additional PCs. True 11 Mbps wireless is ideal for use with cable modems, DSL or SOHO applications.

Average customer rating:

Okay But Not Okay
Doesn't work under BSD/Linux, config utility crashes Win2k
Easy set up, Great connection
Need to get the new firmware and patches
skip it

SMC SMC2602W 802.11b 11 Mbps Wireless PCI Card

Manufacturer: SMC
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Wireless Connectivity | SMC Networks | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:

SMC7004AWBR Barricade Cable/DSL router w/ 3-port 10/100Mbps, Print Server, and 802.11b 11Mbps Access Point
SMC Barricade Plus Wireless Cable/DSL Broadband Router
SMC7004VWBR Barricade Cable/DSL router w/ 4-port 10/100Mbps and 802.11b 11 Mbps Access Point

Product Features:

EZ installation using built-in Installation Wizard
2.4 Ghz frequency band;up to 11 Mbps wireless LAN connection
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS)
AD-Hoc mode (Peer-to-Peer) or Infrastructure mode (Communication to Wired Network via an Access Point)
Ability to create and save multiple profiles for different wireless LAN settings

ASIN: B00005RD83

Product Description

The wireless LAN solution is the easiest alternative to a traditional wired network. The solution connects your desktop PC instantly with an existing Ethernet installation to support mobile users, temporary work sites, and other applications ranging from the classroom to the boardroom. Wireless technology provides the maximum user mobility, simple and flexible installation options, a reduced cost of ownership (no cabling costs or maintenance) and excellent scalability in supporting additional PCs. True 11 Mbps wireless is ideal for use with cable modems, DSL or SOHO applications.

Customer Reviews:

Okay But Not Okay.......2004-06-27

I bought this adapter to get a wireless connection for an old Windows XP Gateway desktop in my basement, thinking that the nice external antenna would help my odds.

PRO:

The card installed perfectly, connection comes up as "excellent" every time and I was into my network and Internet connection within 5 minutes. SMC has 24/7 toll-free tech support.

CON:
The drivers are not certified for Windows XP and the so-called setup utility crashes itself. It's in the "Add/Remove Programs" area but won't uninstall. Don't try to use the utility if using XP... allow XP to manage the network settings and you'll be fine. SMC even recommends it after calling them. The useless utility is there and I leave it alone and use XP to manage settings.

Bottom Line:

Decent wireless adapter if you're running "b" and it does great with my D-Link 614+ router but don't pay much for this adapter. It's worth $25-$30 but not the $58 that I paid for it.

Doesn't work under BSD/Linux, config utility crashes Win2k.......2003-12-01

I bought this card for a FreeBSD box in my test lab at home because it is one of the few wireless PCI cards on the hardware compatibility list. So my surprise was complete when it arrived and I found that SMC had, like many other annoying vendors, changed the chipset and not mentioned that anywhere or changed the product number. So it didn't work in FBSD....

I decided to repartition that test boxes hard drive and install Win2k so as to get *some* use from this card while waiting for the BSD driver wizards to put something out. The card installs fine but then when I launch the configuration utility the box freezes completely and I have to manually power it off, then boot into safe mode and take the utility out of startup to avoid a cycle of freezes. SMC's web site was useless as there is no updated config utility; I couldn't even find the version that came with the card, leaving me to wonder what I would do if I lost the CD. I guess WinXP people could still use this card but I'm not upgrading my OS just so I can use this card.

My win2k box is service pack 4 with a million hotfixes, and there was no anti-virus or any other weird software on the box at the time (it was a test box!). This product is useless and I feel very much deceived by the chipset switch-a-roo. I will never buy SMC again.

Easy set up, Great connection.......2003-05-15

A while back we baught a refurbished computer, which needed internet. We had my Apple laptop connected to our 'SMC Barricade 4-Port 11 Mbps Wireless Broadband Router' basestation by AirPort Xtreme card. Now my task was to connect the basestation to our other computer.

Installing Card: The hardest part was getting the case open! After that I screwed in the new card in a few seconds, put the case back on, and was ready to go.

Installing Software: I put the CD in, clicked a few times, and I was done. All I did is follow the on-screen instructions. After about 2 or 3 minutes I was getting a signal from the basestation.

This card is great! Extremely easy to install, and the connection is way faster than on my laptop. We have a steady, fast connection across the house and through a bunch of walls. A great card at a great value.

Need to get the new firmware and patches.......2003-04-04

I got this PCI card because I got the SMC wireless router at the same time. I figured that the same brand name would make the WLAN work seamlessly. The installation of the card was very easy on my Dell Dimension 4550. After installation, the only problem I had with the card was the connectively problem that the previous reviewer spoke about. Then I went to the SMC website to download the fireware and patches for the WLAN monitoring software, it worked flawlessly.

Conclusion: With any hardware/software you buy, it's a good idea to install it and check to see if there are updates and security patches available.

skip it.......2002-09-23

Set it up along with smc router. No connection from 15 feet away, one floor down. Got a connection with the netgear fm114p , though link quality was poor and barely adaquate speeds.

Check for pci cards with external antenna that can be positioned away from the body of the pc or pci cards with removable antenna, so that it can be upgraded with a higher gain antenna.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics