ZyAIR 100 11Mbps802.11b PCCard

ZyAIR 100 802.11b 11Mbps PCCard link

from ZyXEL link

Review Date: 7/21/2001

by: Chris Kaminski

Score 3/3

 

The ZyAIR 100 card is a PCCard 11Mbps 802.11b adapter. It plugs into any PCCard adapter (laptops) and allows access to Wireless Ethernet (802.11b) networks. The ZyAIR 100 sports 40/64 bit encryption ad a host of cool utilities that help make this card stand out. An optional PCI to PCCard adapter may be purchased and used in conjunction with thwe100 for Desktop support.

The most interesting thing about this wireless Ethernet adapter is the utility set that is included. The configuration / utility program that is included is both ZyAIR’s strongest and weakest point. Although ZyXEL included some great utilities like an access point browser, a channel site surveyor and diagnostics, they forgot to included a signal strength monitor. Additionally, the utility can not reside in your system tray like most others.

Access Point Browser

Long have I envied Mac users for their ability to bring up a list of available wireless access points in their area. The ZyAIR solves that problem on the PC side by providing a utility to search for all local access points. VERY COOL!

Site Survey

This is an interesting utility designed for monitoring the quality of the cannels in your location. 802.11b (in the US) can use any of 14 selectable frequencies. Since other devices like cordless phones also use these frequencies, it is hard to tell what channel will provide you with the least interference. The site survey tool monitors these frequencies real-time and shows a nice graph allowing you to quickly determine what frequencies have problems in your area.

Diagnostics

Reminiscent of DOS LAN utilities for networks, the ZyAIR card includes diagnostics to testing point to point link quality.

The Down Side

Most wireless Ethernet software packages include the ability to minimize into your system tray. While there, the icon changes to show your signal strength. ZyAIR has no such utility. The only way you know you have gone out of range is that your network no longer works.