Chapter 1: Introduction; Welcome - Linksys WPC55AG User Manual

Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for choosing the Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter. With this Adapter, your wireless
networking experience will be faster and easier than ever.
The Linksys Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter lets your notebook communicate with all three wireless
network standards. With one PC Card, you can connect to Wireless-A (802.11a), Wireless-G (802.11g) and
Wireless-B (802.11b) networks.
Wireless-B networks have a data rate of 11Mbps, and are commonly found in corporate environments and in
homes for household Internet connectivity without the need for running cables. They're also popping up all over
the country in coffee shops, airports, hotels, convention centers, and other public spaces offering "on the go"
connectivity to mobile users.
In high speed or heavy usage environments, Wireless-B is quickly being replaced by a new standard, Wireless-G,
which uses the same 2.4GHz radio band, but at 54Mbps, is almost five times faster. The third wireless network
standard is Wireless-A, which also runs at 54Mbps, but operates in the less-crowded 5GHz radio band.
Wireless-A is mostly used in corporate installations.
Whichever standard you encounter, the Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter is ready to connect. And it's
simple to use. Just pop it into a PC Card slot and run the included Setup Wizard, which will walk you through the
configuration. All wireless communications can be protected by up to 152-bit encryption, so your data stays
secure.
Use the instructions in this Guide to help you set up and install the Adapter. These instructions should be all you
need to get the most out of the Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
network: a series of computers or devices
connected for the purpose of data sharing,
storage, and/or transmission between users.
adapter: a device that adds network functionality
to your PC.
802.11b: an IEEE wireless networking standard
that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of
11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.
802.11g: an IEEE wireless networking standard
that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of
54Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.
802.11a: an IEEE wireless networking standard
that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of
54Mbps and an operating frequency of 5GHz.
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