NETGEAR WMB521NA 802.11b Wireless Kit for Notebooks

by Netgear

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000117DH6
• Item model number: WMB521NA
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,727 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 2, 2006

Product Description

Manufacturer

Total Wireless Freedom in One Complete Package
Here is everything you need for the wireless freedom you've always wanted. NETGEAR's 802.11b Wireless Router and PC Card Kit gives you maximum mobility along with Double Firewall security, broadband Internet connection sharing, and access to network resources at up to 11 Mbps. It sets you free to take your notebook computer anywhere without being tied to Ethernet cables and enjoy powerful and flexible networking while you're on the move. Top-level security safeguards your PCs, files, and network resources while it protects against malicious attacks and requests for personal information. A double firewall provides superior protection from hackers, while high-level encryption ensures confidentiality and restricts access to your network. Multiple controls let you limit access to inappropriate content and monitor Internet activity. Easy setup with NETGEAR's Smart Wizard install assistant saves you time and effort so you're up and running in minutes.

Talented
The 802.11b router is equipped with an integrated access point and 4-port 10/100 switch, its ultra-fast, wired LAN ports distribute MP3s, digital movies, and photos at speeds up to 200 Mbps. Pre-programmed port forwarding setups simplify playing multi-player games and hosting Internet services. With the PC card in place, you can access the Internet easily from your Wi-Fi notebook PC at up to 11 Mbps, achieving superior range with distances of up to 300 feet with automatic rate fallback. Auto-adjustment transmit power provides longer battery life and reduces interference.

On Guard
Double firewall with Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) and Network Address Translation (NAT) tracks and filters connections coming in from the Internet to your network, giving you powerful protection against Internet hackers. Virtual Private Network (VPN) pass-through allows users secure access to corporate networks. Powerful encryption (40/64-bit or 128-bit) protects against eavesdroppers, and Address Authentication restricts connections to specific wireless adapters ­ only those you approve are allowed to use your network. Logging and filtering capabilities limit access to inappropriate web content, e-mails notify you of Internet activity.

Smartly Designed
This router's sleek, modern case, a patented design, stacks neatly with other NETGEAR products or stands on end to conserve desk space. The PC card is configured to interoperate with other NETGEAR wireless products, and is compatible with any notebook PC having a processor speed greater than 400 MHz, with drivers available for Windows 98SE, Me, 2000 and XP. Small-sized antenna prevents the PC card from getting bent.

Effortless
NETGEAR's Smart Wizard install assistant guides you through each step of the router and card setup. NETGEAR's unique Smart Wizard automatically detects your ISP connection type ­ saving you time and effort. On the router's front are lighted icons that display network status at a glance. The router works with PCs and Macintoshes, and virtually all Ethernet devices.

Product Description

NETGEAR's Wireless Router and PC Card Kit offers the speeds of 802.11b and the convenience of a getting a NETGEAR Wireless Router (MR814) and Wireless PC Card (MA521) at the same time. Our standards-based 802.11b wireless products allow you to be connected to your network through your notebook PC from just about anywhere in your home or office. These easy-to-install, 11 Mbps, 2.4 GHz wireless products give you an always on, always connected wireless network.NETGEAR's MR814 Wireless Router, winner of Cnet's Editor's Choice award, is an easy-to-use device that comes with four wired ports for connecting any combination of four computers or printers. You can also connect up to sixteen users wirelessly using 802.11b or 802.11g clients. With the MR814, you can share one broadband connection for high-speed Web surfing and file sharing. And Setup is quick and easy with NETGEAR's Smart Wizard ¿ you'll be up and running in fewer than five clicks. With its best-in-class security features the MR814 monitors user activity with logging and e-mail alerts, and provides URL filtering controls.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome and easy, July 16, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: NETGEAR WMB521NA 802.11b Wireless Kit for Notebooks (Personal Computers)

I have to say, I was a little concerned about this product after reading about some of the difficulties other buyers have experienced. I was also a bit nervous about installing it myself, since I am not what you would call a computer expert.

From Day One after installing it, though, I have been impressed. It gets fantastic range throughout my entire house, even through walls and heavy, metal objects. Signal strength on my computers is almost always between 90-100%, and has NEVER dipped below 73%.

As for the network installation itself, it was easy and took a total of about an hour (and that includes installation and configuration of wireless cards on 2 computers).

And you can't beat the price on this thing. I highly recommend this and other Netgear wireless network products.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good features; may have quality issues, September 12, 2004

By 

K. Fong (CALIFORNIA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: NETGEAR WMB521NA 802.11b Wireless Kit for Notebooks (Personal Computers)

The wireless router/ap include good logging features. Many entry level units of this type do not have these funtions. This is very easy to setup for the novice.

I am partially convinced that these units have quality issues. The wireless portion on a friend's Netgear MR814v2 stopped working. The router that I purchased was returned due to a similar problem; there was definately a malfunction as some LED lights stopped working after several days. The switch portion remained active, however. If the units did not have any problems, I would have given this 5 stars.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not only works great it also looks nice, August 11, 2004

By 

Earth Worm "The Critical" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: NETGEAR WMB521NA 802.11b Wireless Kit for Notebooks (Personal Computers)

I have purchased one for my office since the first one I have at home was so good. I recommend this to every one. Specially the PC card has a low profile and does not stick out 2 inches like some other brands. Setup was a snap butI ended up using the Windows XP wireless setup vs Netgear's.