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CNET Pro200WL

The CNET Pro200WL

This NIC is almost exactly like the Pro200, even using the same chipset - except the Pro200WL has WOL support. The engineers basically took the same basic chipset and added a chip that enabled WOL support, which makes the Pro200 and Pro200WL nearly identical twins (though we found later that performance was surprisingly different). CNet includes close to the same users guide, but there are some WOL issues that are also covered in the Pro200WL kit. In addition, the WOL cable is included with the package, which is a handy add-in [a great thing considering the small price difference between the PRO200 and PRO200WL –editor].

The Pro200WL also supports all the same OS’s as its little brother (Pro200) and nothing (including its appearance) is really different except the WOL support.

Installation of this card was just as simple as it was with the Pro200. CNET did send me a CD with a new utility that only works with the Pro200WL. The Faster Ethernet adapter diagnostics enables the user to see how the adapter is configured, and also allows you to change your connection speed from auto-sense to a forced 10 or 100 Mbit/s. In addition, you can test the NIC status and LINK status. It was a decent utility, and it was nice to see someone thought to include something other than a drivers disk and a manual.

Scores for the Pro200WL using driver release 1.41

Time to transfer files: 2:59
Network utilization: 14%
Frames /sec: 4960-10671
Frames dropped:0
CPU utilization: 74%

I didn’t find any real performance difference between the Pro200 and the Pro 200 WL. As mentioned above, if WOL and Boot-ROM support is what you are looking for, than the Pro200WL is your answer between the two cards from CNET, but if you don’t need those features and want to save a few dollars –then the Pro200 is more of a wise choice.

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