To test for compatibility, we set up a simple ad-hoc network using the COMPEX card and a card from SOHOware. The two worked together flawlessly. We threw in the COMPEX Access Point and all of the systems were working together quite seamlessly.
An interesting aspect of the software package that COMPEX includes is their “Softbridge” utility. In a system installed with both a regular wired AND a wireless LAN card, this utility allows you to create a software based bridge between your wireless network and your wired network. This simple utility is a HUGE boon for users who want basic bridging between their new wireless network and their existing wired networks without having to pay for an Access Point.
The WP11 Access Point
The WavePort WP11 wireless Access Point acts as a hardware bridge for your existing wired network. The Access point has a single 10/100 port to connect to a network hub. The Access Point has a dual antenna design with 2dB gain – each of the antennas can be angled individually for best reception conditions.
Installation of the Access Point was relatively simple – with the added twist of special software with which to configure the Access Point’s settings. The software can be installed on any computer in the network, and through this software you can remotely configure the Access Point’s security features and access restrictions.
Three LED’s provide power, LAN activity and link information. Sadly there is no indicator for wireless connectivity, which could help debug problems with communications between a wireless card and the Access Point.
One major and serious gripe we had with the WP11 was with the quality of its construction and with its connection reliability. Several times we could not get the Access Point to power up properly - the connection between the Access Point and the power cord was simply horrible. Even worse, the 10/100 LAN port was extremely finicky about detecting whether or not a cable was connected. We would have to physically wiggle the connection until the Access Point finally detected the network! And if someone were to accidentally move the Access Point out of place or pull on the network cable, the connection could be lost. It was quite frustrating, and a sure sign of either a QA problem on COMPEX’s end, or else very poor quality LAN jacks and power connectors.
Performance and Usage
Performance for a wireless network can be broken down into two major categories: range, and throughput.
The rated range for the WavePort products is around 300 feet indoors in an open environment. SOHOware claimed 150-500 feet. Our testing space is far from being an “open environment”, though we feel it represents more of a realistic SOHO environment. In our space, we found that the PCMCIA card could be moved around 30-40 feet from the Access Point before link quality failed altogether.
From a distance of 20-30 feet we still managed to maintain a 60% and above signal quality, which is enough signal strength to achieve the maximum throughput as recorded in our throughput tests below. At this distance, we were traversing no more then 2 walls. However, unlike the SOHOware PCMCIA card, we were unable to maintain a relatively high throughput quality throughout the absolute ranges of the card – nearing distances of 40 feet or more, there was noticeable throughput dropoff, even though the card was capable of working up to 50 feet and more from the Access Point.
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