Wireless PCI adapter for Windows 2000

[Guest]

I am looking for a wireless PCI adapter that supports WPA on Windows
2000. Since Windows 2000 does not have the Wireless Zero
Configuration service like XP does, then the wireless PCI adapter
needs to come with its own utility that lets you use WPA.

I also would like the adapter's software to run as a Windows service
(as opposed to running only when a user logs in) - that way the system
can respond to pings or share requests if no one is logged in. The
software should also allow limited user accounts to use the wireless
connection.

Any recommendations?

 

[Philip Herlihy]

I am looking for a wireless PCI adapter that supports WPA on Windows
2000. Since Windows 2000 does not have the Wireless Zero
Configuration service like XP does, then the wireless PCI adapter
needs to come with its own utility that lets you use WPA.

I also would like the adapter's software to run as a Windows service
(as opposed to running only when a user logs in) - that way the system
can respond to pings or share requests if no one is logged in. The
software should also allow limited user accounts to use the wireless
connection.

Any recommendations?

My experience of using PCI adapters is that they only connect when
logged on. Instead, I use an external "bridge" device which connects to
the PC using Ethernet. Many Wireless Access Points will operate in this
mode (I've used ones from US Robotics and Netgear), as well as devices
designed solely for this function. Of course, if you're going to use an
Ethernet connected device, you might consider HomePlug/Powerline.

Phil, London

 

[Guest]

~ I am looking for a wireless PCI adapter that supports WPA on Windows
~ 2000.  Since Windows 2000 does not have the Wireless Zero
~ Configuration service like XP does, then the wireless PCI adapter
~ needs to come with its own utility that lets you use WPA.
~
~ I also would like the adapter's software to run as a Windows service
~ (as opposed to running only when a user logs in) - that way the system
~ can respond to pings or share requests if no one is logged in.  The
~ software should also allow limited user accounts to use the wireless
~ connection.
~
~ Any recommendations?

I believe that the Cisco PI21AG will meet all of the stated requirements.

Do you know if I can use WPA-PSK with the Cisco adapter? There is
this FAQ at cisco.com:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/wireless/ps4555/products_qanda_item09186a0080094cdc.shtml

"Q. Can I configure Wi-Fi Protected Access-Pre-Shared Key (WPA-PSK)
with the help of the Aironet Client Utility (ACU)?

A. WPA provides a PSK version that is intended for use in small
office, home office (SOHO) or home wireless networks. Cisco ACU does
not support WPA-PSK. The Wireless Zero Configuration utility from
Microsoft Windows supports WPA-PSK for most wireless cards."


So either the adapter doesn't support WPA-PSK, or that FAQ is
referring to an older adapter.

Another thing I forgot to mention is that my computer has PCI 2.1
slots. The only thing I can find about the PI21AG is that it is "PCI
Rev. 2.3 compliant". Any idea if it works with PCI 2.1?