Networld+Interop Vegas Spring 2001 Show Review

May-14-2001

Courtney Lewis

Networld+Interop is a networking trade show that was held in Las Vegas, May 2001. The show focuses on enterprise level solutions but we went looking for the latest networking technologies that might be appropriate for the home. We found many home networking companies there, many with new products being announced. Here is a brief overview of what we saw!

Multi-tech has announced a new RouteFinder with wireless 802.11b capabilities (RF802EW). Their original RouteFinder broadband router (review here) was ‘packed’ full of features so we are expecting good things from their new model. It looks like the wireless version will still have the RAS server built in too. Expect to see it hit shelves in a couple of months.

We saw a DSL/Cable modem aggregator available from Astrocom but it was in the $900 range. This is still too much money for the home user in most cases.

A couple of software solutions were also spotted. Stay tuned over the next couple of weeks to see some tests of these solutions.

Proxim showed a new solution for Wireless networking in the home made a strong appearance at Networld+Interop called HomeRF 2.0. The new improved version of HomeRF will more secure than 802.11b, easier to configure, and will consume much less power. If the price comes in competitively, HomeRF 2.0 may be the way to go for many people in their homes. HomeNetHelp will have a complete HomeRF 2.0 technology review soon.

It seemed everyone had a new 802.11b networking product. This should make the next 8-12 months real interesting in respect to pricing. I can not imagine the prices will stay at $100+ per node when so many contenders are fighting for the same space. I also expect to see some casualties along the way.

Some of the new vendors of 802.11b products are showing designs with the PC-Card oriented correctly. The radiation signature of a wireless Ethernet antenna built into a PC-Card has never been optimal when laying flat. Some manufacturers are starting to stick the bard in the top of the access points instead of the back for better reception.

Many companies were advertising wireless Internet connectivity for your home. In areas where cable modems and DSL lines are not available, this is often the only choice for something faster than a 56k modem. HomeNetHelp will have a technology review soon covering some of the major players in this market.

At the show, Linksys announced it will be teaming up with ZoneLabs and TrendMicro to offer a complete security solution for your home network. When a PC access’ the internet, the Linksys router will check to see if you have current versions of ZoneAlarm and PC-cillin anti-virus software. If not, you will be directed to update these programs. I am not sure what to think of this yet. My initial reaction is negative unless Linksys has can arrange for some DEEP discounts on the software.

Linksys is also shipping some new Wireless access points/routers. HomeNetHelp will have one of these to review soon.

Atheros has has some real 802.11a 54Mbps compliant and 72Mbps wireless Ethernet products shipping by the end of summer.

Nothing official, but SMC appears to be working on an extension of their Barricade product line called the Barricade Pro. Among other things, the Pro will include support for stateful packet inspection. SMC also plans to integrade HPNA 2.0 into some of their products