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Aironet Wireless Laptop Card vs all others

G

Garet Jax

Diamond Member
Is the Cisco card really worth the extra money? What am I paying for as compared to Linksys, Netgear, Belkin, etc....

If I'm using my personal laptop for connectivity in and around the house, will the Aironet card really make a difference?

Thanks.

[EDIT]Just checked ebay and they are selling for $50+ used.[/EDIT]
 
100Mw radio is nice...


I don't know what is offers over the others, other then I know it has good enterprise level drivers/configuration util. You probably don't need that.
 
Originally posted by: nweaver
100Mw radio is nice...
Click to expand...

I just did a quick search and don't see the connection.

Does the AIR-CB21AG-A-K9 have a 100mW radio? If so, what functionality does it provide?
 
Higher output of the radio means stronger signal in the Air. I.e. better distance coverage, and better stability.

However, the advantages of higher output are much more pronounced if it is done by the Wireless source (Wireless Router/Access Point). Higher output in a client card can help, but if there is No source signal at a remote location the card would be of much help.

In addtion 100mW card in a laptop would kill the battery really fast.
 
Originally posted by: JackMDS
Higher output of the radio means stronger signal in the Air. I.e. better distance coverage, and better stability.

However, the advantages of higher output are much more pronounced if it is done by the Wireless source (Wireless Router/Access Point). Higher output in a client card can help, but if there is No source signal at a remote location the card would be of much help.

In addtion 100mW card in a laptop would kill the battery really fast.
Click to expand...

Yes, but a high output source doesn't matter if you can't send packets back TO that source.

I help with a small WISP, and I can actually see beacons plenty strong with my Intel onboard card, but there is no way I can reply at the 2+ miles my house is from the AP.

regardless, I don't think it matters, as the biggest point is that card is an enterprise class card, and that's the big pricetag.
 
Originally posted by: nweaver

Yes, but a high output source doesn't matter if you can't send packets back TO that source
Click to expand...
I guess that is the reason why many species are created in pairs (M/F, jack/plug ).😉
 
The Cisco cards are also very selective as well as more sensitive.

They seem much better at noise rejection and pulling the signal out of a "messy" RF flooded environment (like our Lab).

I have had issues when installing their drivers & software in the past, but the last few updates have gone in without a hitch.

It's still my favorite card, and, IMHO, well worth the cost.

FWIW

Scott
 
The receive sensitivity of the Cisco cards is as important, if not more so, than the power output to the antenna.

It's been along time since I've been in the field and perhaps they are not of the same quality as they used to be, but I doubt that. Retroactively, they were/are the benchmark for client devices.

Whether or not they really are worth the extra money depends on many variables, and not just their ability to communicate in more difficult wireless cells. Feature set, especially if your WLAN infrastruture is also Cisco, is excellent.
 
The newer Cisco client cards are based on the Atheros chipsets. If you compare the client utilities from both manufacturers, you'll notice they look exactly the same.
Regardless, buying a Cisco card means you'll have best compatibility w/ the wireless infrastructure at work.
Since the OP asked about using it in a SOHO environment, my guess is it won't make much difference.
 
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