Released late last year, Netgear's HE102 802.11a wireless LAN (WLAN) access point supports data transmission speeds up to 21Mbit/s, according to IT Week Labs tests. The theoretical maximum for the IEEE 802.11a standard is 54Mbit/s.
The system is easy to set up and use. It also has a Turbo mode that boosts transmission rates to 72Mbit/s, but this is not supported in Europe.
We reviewed the HE102 running a DHCP server and also on a subnet linked to a 3Com Superstack 3 4250T switch. Data transfer tests involved desktop and notebook systems running Windows 2000 and XP. Only Windows systems are currently supported, and companies running Windows XP can either use the in-built support for wireless networks or Netgear's configuration utilities.
Wireless Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption can be set to 64bit, 128bit or extended mode 152bit. MAC address filtering is available, but in configurations using multiple access points the MAC address of client 802.11a PC Cards has to be entered separately into each access point.
Roaming between access points on the same subnet is supported, providing all access points are configured with the same Extended Service Set ID (Essid).
The HE102 can be configured through a serial port, via the Web using the latest versions of Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator, or by direct connection through a crossover cable to a desktop or notebook system.
The HE102 has two adjustable antennae, and three multifunction LEDs indicate power, Ethernet and wireless activity. A restore-to-factory-default reset button is situated next to the power jack, which takes its power from a 3.7A/3.3V power brick.
The HE102's configuration interface was easy to set up and use, and installation of the HA501 PC Card was also easy. To test data transfer rates between the two, we transmitted a 300MB .zip file from a desktop PC linked to the same switch as the access point. The maximum rate we achieved was 21Mbit/s, which is comparable to Intel's 802.11a access point reviewed last year.
Turning on WEP encryption slows down the data transfer rate, however, and Netgear recommends line-of-sight for access point placement.
Firms using wireless configurations with multiple access points should run surveys to find the best location for them, since we recorded significantly lower rates when walls and ceilings blocked the signal's path. Users can check signal strength and transmit/receive data transfer rates through the configuration utility, though it would be better to see units of Mbit/s rather than packets per second.
Turbo mode can theoretically provide data transfer rates up to 72Mbit/s if additional transmission channels are utilised. However, only channels in the 5.15GHz to 5.25GHz radio frequency waveband are licensed for use in the UK, so the check box for Turbo mode is disabled.
Due to European regulations, Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) and Transmit Power Control (TPC) are standard on this model, a fact that means that the ad-hoc mode cannot be used to set up peer-to-peer networks for transferring data between systems that only have PC Cards. Maximum allowable power output for the UK is currently 200mW in the permitted band, which also limits signal range.
Price: Access Point £233 + VAT; PC Card £115 + VAT
Contact: Netgear 01344 397021
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