[MLB-WIRELESS] dlink pci cards

[Craig Sanders]

On Thu, Jan 23, 2003 at 01:23:58AM +1100, Bryan Nolen wrote:
> any way back to topic, has anyone used the DLINK PCI WLAN NICs ? (the
> ones with the inbuilt antenna)

i've used dlink DWL-520 PCI cards, they have a detachable antenna with
an RP-SMA socket (same as all dlink wlan equipment).  works nicely with
linux, using the hostap drivers.  Tx power and Rx sensitivity is not
great, as is typical of the dlink products....but they're fairly cheap
and pretty good value for money.

i ended up selling it though, and got a DWL-900AP+ instead - it's far
more practical to install at the top of a mast :)

i'm thinking of replacing that with a wlan card in my firewall and a
long run of LMR-400/600/900 cable though.  either replace it or add
another wireless interface, i haven't decided yet.  main reason is that
i have more control over routing and bridging with linux (actually, a
black-box AP gives you almost NO control at all)...and i can use my
usual swag of linux network sniffing tools to help diagnose problems -
i've really missed the ability to do that with the AP.   i may get
another dlink 520 or i may go for a card with higher Tx power and better
Rx sensitivity to compensate for the signal loss of the ~15m of cable.

craig

-- 
craig sanders <cas at taz.net.au>

Fabricati Diem, PVNC.
 -- motto of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch

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