Wayne N. Kawamoto
Managing Editor, www.smallbusinesscomputing.com
U.S. Robotics announced the addition of new wired and wireless devices to complete its existing line of networking products. The U.S. Robotics 10/100 Ethernet PCMCIA Adapter, U.S. Robotics 5-Port 10/100 Ethernet Switch, U.S. Robotics 11 megabits per second (Mbps) Wireless Cable/DSL Router and U.S. Robotics 11 Mbps Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB) Adapter promise to deliver complete, wired and wireless, Plug-and-Play networking solutions for the home, small office/home office (SOHO) and the small- to medium-sized business (SMB) markets.
U.S. Robotics’ 10/100 Ethernet PCMCIA Adapter should allow users to connect a laptop computer to existing local area networks at work, in class or at home to retrieve data files, share music and use printers and other network devices.
A U.S. Robotics 5-Port 10/100 Ethernet Switch should allow up to five users to network from their desktop or laptop computers. The Ethernet switch is designed to boost network bandwidth performance and manage network traffic more efficiently than a simple hub. For a more complete networking solution, a U.S. Robotics 11 Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Router combines a wireless access point, router, 3-port Ethernet switch and print server into one easy-to-use wired or wireless networking system. Finally, the U.S. Robotics 11 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter should install instantly into any desktop or laptop USB port for fast, flexible Plug-and-Play wireless networking.
– The U.S. Robotics 10/100 Ethernet PCMCIA Adapter includes drivers compatible with Windows operating systems, DOS, and Netware operating systems, and with broadband Internet technologies like cable, DSL and satellite access. Auto-switching should allow for interaction with old or faster Ethernet devices. This product will be available late April 2002 at a suggested retail price of $49.99.
– The U.S. Robotics 5-Port 10/100 Ethernet Switch is both PC and Macintosh compatible and is designed to work with any computer that has an Ethernet adapter (Network Interface Card). The switch offers data speeds up to 200 Mbps full-duplex, and has no software to configure. The product should be available late April 2002 at a suggested retail price of $49.99.
– The U.S. Robotics 11 Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Router combines four devices in a wireless networking system and is 802.11b compliant with all 11 Mbps devices. The router comes with an integrated firewall to protect the network, a built-in print server to share a single printer with all networked PCs and an extra port for alternate analog or ISDN modem Internet access. This product will be available late April 2002 at a suggested retail price of $189.99.
– The U.S. Robotics 11 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter instantly turns a desktop or laptop PC into a wireless network for sharing Internet access, files and peripherals across multiple PCs. The adapter is compatible with all IEEE 802.11b compliant wireless products and plugs into any computer’s USB port without the need for an additional dedicated power source. This product will be available late May 2002 at a suggested retail price of $99.99.
