[NPL] Lucent Wireless Networking

mactech

26 years ago

FOR RELEASE: October 13, 1998

WaveLAN IEEE 802.11 compliant wireless Local Area Networking Now Available
for Apple Computers

MURRAY HILL, N.J. — Lucent Technologies today announced that its
WaveLAN networking card designed for a new industry-standard wireless local
area network (WLAN) protocol is now available for a wide variety of Apple
computers, including the latest PowerBook G3 series.

The new industry-standard IEEE 802.11-compliant WaveLAN product,
which fits into a standard Type 2 PC card slot, provides high-speed
wireless connections between standard-compatible PC, workstation, or
peripheral systems at distances of up to 1000 feet. By using Lucent’s
WavePOINT II bridge, which links wired and wireless Ethernet LANs,
WaveLAN/IEEE-equipped Apple computers can also connect to a wired local
area network.

WaveLAN/IEEE cards deliver wireless LAN throughput that is comparable to
that offered by standard wired Ethernet network. The new card also provides
exceptional range, low power consumption, and industry-leading resistance
to RF echoes and microwave interference. Other key features include
multi-channel roaming and automatic rate selection. The WaveLAN/IEEE
network interface card is compatible with a variety of popular network
protocols, including AppleTalk and AppleShare.

“Most schools and universities are heavy users of both Macintosh computers
and PCs,” explained Angela Champness, director of product and business
development for Lucent Technologies’ Wireless Communications and Networking
Division (WCND). “As a result, they need a wireless environment that can
seamlessly accommodate both platforms, including desktop and notebook
versions.”

“Combining Apple’s strength in the education marketplace with
Lucent’s expertise in wireless LANs technology opens some exciting
possibilities,” said Craig J. Mathias, a principal with the analyst firm
Farpoint Group (Ashland,MA). “It’s great to see Lucent taking the lead in
addressing the requirements of higher-education customers.”

“Educators and students can be the most ingenious innovators when given the
tools, and we’re very pleased to see wireless networking being embraced by
the education community,” said Greg Joswiak, director of Product Marketing
for PowerBook. “The availability of the new WaveLAN/PCMCIA card means that
in addition to superior speed and a host of multimedia features, our
PowerBook customers in education can add wireless networking capability
with ease, which is what they have come to expect from all Apple products.”
“For wireless LANs to be successful, computers of various brands and
technologies need to be able to talk to each other,” said Virginia Brooks,
analyst at Aberdeen Group. “Lucent Technologies’ new Apple drivers for
802.11 compliant wireless LANs make that possible.” The WaveLAN/IEEE
wireless networking card supports the following Macintosh platforms: G3,
2400 Series, 3400 Series, 1400 Series, 5300 and 190 Series PowerBooks. The
WaveLAN card uses Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum technology and operates
at the 2.4 GHz bandwidth and is compliant with industry standard IEEE
802.11.

As of November 1998, the new WaveLAN/IEEE Apple drivers can be
obtained as a free download from the www.wavelan.com web site or by calling
1-800-WaveLAN.

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