. LinkSys is shipping a Linux-powered wireless access point "Wireless-N"

LinkSys is shipping a Linux-powered wireless access point (WAP) claimed
to offer four times the range and 12 times the speed of WAPs based on
802.11a/b/g standards. The WRT300N is based on a draft 802.11n
specification, and is the first in a forthcoming line, the company
says.

The WRT300N appears to be the first product based on the draft 802.11n
standard to reach market. The standard effort was spearheaded in 2004
by Intel (whitepaper), only to stall a year later due to dissenting
factions, according to ABI research. Then, last October, a third group,
the Enhanced Wireless Consortium, was created to break the stall, with
26 founding companies that included LinkSys.

The 802.11n draft standard implemented in the WRT300N uses a technique
called "MIMO" (multiple input, multiple output). MIMO technology
capable of 108Mbps was demonstrated nearly a year ago using Linux, by
Cavium and Airgo. Airgo said at the time, "By leveraging multipath
reflections of a radio signal, and transmitting multiple signals in a
single 20MHz radio channel, Airgo's True MIMO multiplies both data
rates and reliable coverage area without using additional frequency
spectrum, and without causing interference with other Wi-Fi devices and
networks."

LinkSys says its Wireless-N products use multiple radios that
simultaneously transmit "two streams of data over multiple channels."
This "effectively [creates] a 40MHz channel that doubles capacity," it
says.

LinkSys says that the 802.11n draft specification it implemented in the
WRT300N requires backwards compatibility with 802.11b and 802.11g, and
additionally requires that optimum speeds be maintained in mixed-mode
environments. However, a recent WRT300N review at eWEEK.com suggests
the company was only partially successful in achieving this
requirement.

Additional WRT300N features include WPA (Wi-Fi protected access)
security, a DHCP server, VPN pass-through, and an SPI (stateful packet
inspection) firewall. The device includes the usual web browser
configuration interface.

The company did not respond by publication time with further details on
the WRT300N's embedded processor, memory, and Linux-based software
stack.

Mike Wolf, principal analyst at ABI, stated, "The emergence of
high-definition video, along with the growing use of Voice over IP,
online gaming, and other applications by consumers requires network
bandwidth that greatly exceeds what is available from 802.11g."

Malachy Moynihan, VP of home networking at LinkSys, stated, "A
substantial number of products for both homes and businesses will soon
depend on compatibility with Wireless-N to reach their full potential.
Because of the importance of the technology, we have taken the unique
step of conducting extensive testing with multiple vendors to ensure
that the greatest possible number of them will perform at peak levels
when interacting with our 802.11n products."

"(E-Mail Removed)" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>LinkSys is shipping a Linux-powered wireless access point (WAP) claimed
>to offer four times the range and 12 times the speed of WAPs based on
>802.11a/b/g standards. The WRT300N is based on a draft 802.11n
>specification, and is the first in a forthcoming line, the company
>says.

Bummer, it's not actually an AP, but a router. Still, encouraging
that they went with Linux again, so there's hope for aftermarket
firmwares (and hopefully the death knell of the WRT54G V5).

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, William P.N. Smith <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>"(E-Mail Removed)" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>LinkSys is shipping a Linux-powered wireless access point (WAP) claimed
>>to offer four times the range and 12 times the speed of WAPs based on
>>802.11a/b/g standards. The WRT300N is based on a draft 802.11n
>>specification, and is the first in a forthcoming line, the company
>>says.
>
>Bummer, it's not actually an AP, but a router. Still, encouraging
>that they went with Linux again, so there's hope for aftermarket
>firmwares (and hopefully the death knell of the WRT54G V5).

I imagine they are making good money on the WRT54G V5. The great bulk of
people would have no idea why the GL is superior even if you tried to
explain it. I've sent a couple of friends to NewEgg for GLs and each time
they have asked why not the G at 'Big Box' store. When I start talking
about firmware upgrades, the eys just tend to glaze <g>.

fundamentalism, fundamentally wrong.

(E-Mail Removed) (Rico) wrote:
>I've sent a couple of friends to NewEgg for GLs and each time
>they have asked why not the G at 'Big Box' store. When I start talking
>about firmware upgrades, the eys just tend to glaze <g>.

Don't try to explain it in those terms, explain it in terms of
unresolved bugs in the V5 firmware. The Tracert bug immediately leaps
to mind...