3Com SA has released three modular LAN access points and upgrade kits that enable companies to incorporate the newer 802.11a wireless standard into their network while preserving their investment in existing wireless technologies.
The Wireless LAN Access Point 8200 with 802.11b radio, the Wireless LAN Access Point 8500 with 802.11a radio, and the Wireless Access Point 8700 with 802.11a and 802.11b radios all offer two configurable radio slots to accommodate new technologies, or to improve the existing radio needs of organisations.
"SA businesses no longer have to choose one wireless networking standard, they can now implement and take advantage of both 802.b and 802.a`s higher transmission speeds and less crowded frequency, while keeping costs down," comments Chris van Niekerk, country manager of 3Com SA.
The modular design of the LAN access points, for example, allows users to select the configuration of radios, without having to purchase additional add-ons like power devices and antennas.
A key benefit of the access points is that they help to minimise any radio interference that may occur due to the 802.11b technology operating in the 2.4GHz band and 802.11a in the 5GHz band.
For those organisations demanding higher speeds, the 802.11a radios offer "turbo mode" which boosts throughput speed up to 72Mbps - significantly higher than the normal 54Mbps associated with 802.11a.
In addition, the 3Com Wireless LAN Upgrade Kit is available in either 802.11b or 802.11a and comes with a radio board, an antenna board, and the necessary accessories that will allow users to easily upgrade an access point.
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The new access points provide support for 40-bit WEP and 128-bit shared key encryption, IEEE 802.1x, EAP-MD5, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, and PEAP Authentication. For user authentication, the access points support 802.1x and will work with any existing RADIUS authentication server.
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