Introduction

A few weeks ago we introduced you all to our wireless networking roundup. For those who missed this review please click here. In this article we mentioned the fact that, the future of the internet will totally rely on wireless connectivity. Today not only network devices are changing over to wireless, even multimedia devices such as home theatre system are also adopting this new technology. Check out this home theatre system offered by Jazz Speakers, you'll be amazed as to what they offer.

The wireless gateway devices we reviewed in our wireless networking roundup only supported PC systems and Laptops with wireless network cards. However there are many out there who also use PDA's as much as they use laptops and other products. Wouldn't it be great if you could access email, browse the web all through your PDA, instead of constantly synchronizing these through your PC and PDA? Well, with Compex's new iRE201 Infrared Wireless Access Point you can connect to a broadband or dialup line and provide instant wireless internet connectivity to your PDA.

Before we get onto more detail let me introduce you to the specifications of the iRE201

Specifications

Features and Benefits:
- 4Mbps Fast Infrared access
- Fast Ethernet and Internet connectivity
- Support external Cable modem and V.90 56K analog modem
- Diversity transducers enables wide infrared coverage
- Compatible with PDAs and notebook computers

Technical Specification:
Industry Standards
IEEE 802.3 10Base-T, IEEE 802.3u 100Base-TX
FCC Class B, CE Mark, IrDA 1.0/1.1

Interface
1 x 10/100Mbps RJ45 port
1 x Fixed FIR port
1 x External FIR port
1 x RS232 serial port

Connectivity
Infrared to Fast Ethernet
Infrared to Internet (via Cable or 56K modem)

LED Indicators
System Power, IR Link/Activity, LAN Link/Activity

Protocol
SIR: 9.6Kbps, 57.6Kbps, 115Kbps
FIR: 4Mbps
IrCOMM & IrLAN

Embedded HTTP Server
Yes

Configuration Interface
Web-based & RS232 Serial Console

Compatibility
Notebooks with Windows 95/98/2000 platform
Handheld PC with Windows CE 2.1 & above
Handspring Visor with Palm OS 3.3 & above
Palm IIIx, IIIc, V, Vx, m100 with Palm OS 3.3 & above
Palm VII with Palm OS 3.2 & above
IBM Wordpad with Palm OS 3.3 & above

Physical Dimensions
88mm x 88mm x 24mm


What's included

The package consists of the following components.

    * 1 x irdaNet iRE201 wireless access point
    * 1 x supporting stand
    * 1 x extended Infrared transducer
    * 1 x crossover RS232 cable
    * 1 x 5V DV power adapter
    * Velcro tape (to be pasted onto the back of the second Infrared transducer)
    * 1 x irdaNet iRE201 Product CD
    * 1 x irdaNet iRE201 Quick Install Guide.