Cisco-Linksys WPC54GX Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX

by Cisco

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0006ZM4XU
• Item model number: WPC54GX
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description Whether you're upgrading to a higher-end adapter or setting up your first home network, the Linksys WPC54GX Wireless-G notebook adapter is your ticket to wireless convenience and optimal performance. The SRX-enhanced cardbus adapter gives you the mobility to use your laptop PC anywhere in the house--and, when used in concert with other SRX-enabled networking components, you'll enjoy unparalleled range and speed.

The WPC54GX uses Linksys's advanced SRX (Speed and Range eXpansion) technology, which enhances the speed and reach of a Wireless-G (802.11g) network. Relative to standard 802.11g technology, a network using all SRX products can extend network reach up to three times as far and boost wireless network speed by up to eight times. (Actual throughput, speed, and range depend on a host of factors, from building materials to network traffic and distance from your network router.)

The device is Wi-Fi-certified and backward compatible with 802.11b (Wireless-B), 802.11g (Wireless-G) and, of course, other Linksys SRX products. The minimum operating system requirement is Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Mixed wireless environments such as networks containing SRX, Wireless-B, and Wireless-G products can operate each client at its own maximum data rate. SRX products maintain their higher speed and range, providing the throughput and quality of service to deliver applications such as VoIP (Internet telephony) and video streaming.

SRX is based on MIMO (multiple-in, multiple-out) technology, a key component in the upcoming Wireless-N (802.11n) standard. To improve range and speed, MIMO uses two radios and three antennas on a wireless cardbus adapter or client adapter.

What's in the Box
A Wireless-G cardbus adapter, a quick-installation guide, a resource CD-ROM, and a user's manual.

See a comparison diagram of the different wireless technologies.

Wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular and coming down in price. Since they don't require cables, you can use the devices anywhere in an office or home, even out on the patio. There's no need to roll out an Ethernet network cable to each room of a house; you can network anywhere--without wires. Outside the home, wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops, businesses, and airports--great when you're on the road and need to get some work done. For convenience, wireless networking is the answer. Which Wireless Standard Is Right for Me? Now that you've decided to create a wireless network, the next step is to figure out which wireless standard to use. Basically, a standard is a set of specifications for a device. All devices that follow a specific standard share operating characteristics, such as the radio frequency used and maximum data transfer speed. For wireless networking, there are three standards to choose from at this time: 802.11b 802.11a 802.11g To learn about the differences between the standards and select the right one for your network, click here for an easy-to-understand chart.

Product Description

Wireless-G SRX Notebook Adapter PC CARD ENH 802.11G

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast and really good range, February 3, 2005

By 

A. Verdugo (CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cisco-Linksys WPC54GX Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX (Personal Computers)

I bought this card along with the WRT54GX router. My house has two stories and plenty of walls. Before I had 3 11a Access Points. Now I only have the WRT54GX. This card works as advertised. I can get 108mbps with almost 100% signal anywhere in my house.

With this card, I can also get a strong signal from my neighbor's wireless network :-)

My only gripe is that if you want to use WPA, you can use the Linksys wireless utility. You must use the windows one. I find the Linksys one better. Minor complaint though.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Speed and Distance, January 22, 2005

By 

Bob-is-Awesome - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cisco-Linksys WPC54GX Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX (Personal Computers)

I upgraded from a wpc54g and wap54g and i was completely amazed with the card, however anyone not using a mimo enabled device with the srx router will see a serious slowdown so i stuck wih the srx card and dropped the router using the old wap54 to benefit other users on the network, but even use of just the card gives you a 25-50% range increase and about 50% more speed i did have trouble configuring the card to work with wep however after changing the code it worked fine. The card also takes 3 Different IPs from the DHCP.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good extended range notebook adapter, March 4, 2005

By 

Jeff "deadgnat" (seattle, wa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cisco-Linksys WPC54GX Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SRX (Personal Computers)

I bought this to help get a better signal into my laptop, which has built in wi-fi. The signal strength seems to be quite a bit higher, usually boosted by a bar or two, and I'm picking up other people's routers that weren't detectable before. The only problem I do have is with the linksys utility. It doesn't always launch correctly at startup (it stays grey, and you have to exit and relaunch), and even when it does, it jumps signals even when I have something listed by priority-whether I use the linksys utility or windows to configure. I ended up ditching the linksys utility and everything seems to be fine just running through windows alone. None of the other equipment has SRX, but I've noticed a boost in both signal strength and speed after using this. It might take a little while to work out the kinks, but if you need something to increase signal strength, this works a lot better than the range extenders on the market.