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Netblaster II NCP130 PCI 802.11b
card
Review Type: Hands On
Reviewer: Chris
Kaminski
Date: Jun 21, 2001
 The Netblaster II PCI card is an integrated 11Mbps
802.11b wireless Ethernet adapter for desktop computers that supports
40/64bit WEP. Most PCI solutions from other companies consist of a PCCard
that plugs into a special PCI adapter. The NetBlaster II PCI adapter is a
single integrated package – the way it should be. The adapter installed
and performed well – and it comes with a very nice software bundle. Antenna
When it comes to wireless Ethernet reception, the
worst place for an antenna is right next to a large hunk of metal like a
computer case. This is exactly where the antenna ends up on most PCI
wireless Ethernet adapters. Sohoware packages an external omni directional
antenna with this PCI adapter. This allows you to place your antenna away
from your computer case, cables, power lines, and other interference
causing items. The fact that this is included in the package is a great
deal since most external antennas start at around $50. Sohoware recognized
that an external antenna is a requirement for good reception on a PCI
adapter, not an option.
Install
The Netblaster II installed easily under Windows 98,
ME and 2000. The clear documentation steps you through the process almost
flawlessly. I am not usually an advocate of much automation in the driver
install process but Sohoware added ‘just enough’ by asking you if you
would like to share files and printers on your network.
Software
The included configuration software is clear and
simple to use. A unique graphing throughput monitor shows how fast the
adapter is sending and receiving. Also included is Sohoware’s Network
Hopper II, a network configuration swapping program meant for people
plugging into different networks. Complete network configuration profiles
can be created, saved, and swapped between with only a few clicks. This is
an especially nice program for Laptop users traveling between multiple
networks.
Encryption  Sohoware makes it very clear that WEP will slow
things down. This is true for all the Wireless Ethernet products I have
ever seen. In addition to 40/64bit WEP, Sohoware includes a special ‘quick
encryption’ method that allows you to enable encryption without the speed
decrease that WEP brings. Of course, since this is a Sohoware sourced
encryption method, it works only with other Netblaster II products – still
it is nice to have.
Supported Operating Systems
Windows support is covered very well and includes
95, 98, ME, NT4 and 2000. There is no explicit support for Linux or
Macintosh.
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Sohoware Netblaster II PCI
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