NetGear WG511T 802.11g Wireless PC Card

Performance:

Although the NetGear WG511T is designed for use in notebooks, we had absolutely no problems using it in a Koutech PCI to PCMCIA Adapter (PPC110). This adapter allows you to run many different PCMCIA cards in a traditional desktop system. Although many different manufacturers have stopped making these types of cards due to compatibility reasons, we've been using the Koutech PPC110 in our labs for months with absolutely no problems. After we popped in the wireless card we simply compiled the MadWiFi drivers, rebooted the system, and quickly detected wireless networks. The testbed we used today was loaded with FedoraCore4 and the 2.6.12-1.1398 Linux kernel.

For wireless comparison purposes, we compared the NetGear WG511T against the D-Link AirPlus XtremeG DWL-G650 Wireless Cardbus Adapter; both of which cards utilize the Atheros Chipset. The wireless router we'll be using in this situation is a D-Link DGL-4300 Gaming Router. This state-of-the-art 802.11g router supports the 108Mbps connectivity, along with many other wireless features, while offering four Gigabit 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports. During testing, all security and features unique to D-Link networks (such as GameFuel Technology) were disabled. For the testing process, we installed the NetGear card followed by the D-Link card into the PCMCIA adapter and placed the system at a variety of different locations while the 802.11g router remained un-touched. During this time, we moved the computer with wireless adapter to a variety of different distances between two and 30 meters away. When doing so, we found the NetGear WG511T to have roughly a 1 to 5% stronger signal than that of the DWL-G650. Although both wireless cards were near identical with their features and performance, we found the WG511T to offer just that little bit extra signal strength, which could prove to be crucial depending upon the situation.

Conclusion:

What we've seen here today appears to be yet another reliable PCMCIA card based upon the Atheros Chipset. Even with the NetGear WG511T not being able to sharply outpace the D-Link AirPlus XtremeG DWL-G650, it did manage to have roughly a 1 to 5% stronger signal strength which is fairly interesting considering both cards utilize Chipsets from Atheros Communications. To recap, the NetGear WG511T supports 108 Mbps (where available depending upon access points and router) and improvements in the antenna for a greater range and 128-bit WEP capabilities. From our testing, this appears to be yet another reliable product from the folks at NetGear.

Pros:

· Good performance
· Atheros Chipset
· New antenna technology
· Super G compatible
· Super Secure

Cons:

· Fairly expensive (~ $50 USD)