Product Description

The D-Link DWL-500 is a high-speed 11 Mbps Ethernet wireless network adapter that plugs into your PC's PCI bus slot. Once connected with other networked PC's, it allows you to share hard disk drives, DVD drives, CD drives, Iomega Zip drives, printers and provides shared access to a modem for Internet access. It strictly adheres to the most advanced IEEE networking standard for wireless connections, so the D-Link DWL-500 is very compatible with multi-vendor environments that also meet the standard compliance for the IEEE 802.11b. The DWL-500 bandwidth data transmission rate can be set manually at 11Mbps, 5.5Mbps, 2Mbps, 1Mbps or it can be set on dynamic auto-sensing configuration.The D-Link DWL-500 can operate in either ad-hoc mode (peer-to-peer networking without access point) or Infrastructure mode (peer-to-peer networking using an access point). In Infrastructure mode, the DWL-500 can be connected to a broadband residential gateway or an xDSL/cable modem for high-speed wireless Internet access on the existing network. The DWL-500 can transmit data at 11, 5.5, 2 or 1 Mbps per channel. The DWL-500 transmit rate values can be manually selected for Auto Select 1 or 2 Mbps, fixed 1 Mbps, fixed 11 Mbps, fixed 2 Mbps, fixed 5.5 Mbps and Fully Auto. The DWL-500 has full mobility and seamless roaming from cell to cell as well as across access points. The range of coverage per cell for indoor use is up to 100 meters and up to 300 meters per cell for outdoor use. The DWL-500 comes with an internal non-detachable diversity patch antenna and one built-in green LED indicator for power, network link and activity.

Product Details

• Brand: D-Link
• Model: DWL-500
• Platforms: Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows NT 3.5, Windows, Windows NT 4, Windows NT 5, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000 Server
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 6.75" h x .75" w x 4.75" l,
• Networking: PCI

Features

• High-speed 11 Mbps Ethernet wireless network adapter
• Share hard drives, printers, and a modem for Internet access
• For desktop PCs
• Indoor range of 115 to 328 feet; outdoor range of 328 to 984 feet
• PCI local bus 2.2 compliant

Amazon.com Product Description
The D-Link DWL-500 is a high-speed 11 Mbps Ethernet wireless network adapter that plugs into your PC's PCI bus slot. Once connected with other networked PCs, it allows you to share hard disk drives, DVD drives, CD drives, Zip drives, printers, or a modem for Internet access.

You can use the DWL-500 either with or without access points. If used with access points, the DWL-500 can be connected to a broadband residential gateway or a to cable/DSL modem for high-speed wireless Internet access on an existing network. Supporting a 2.4 GHz direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) frequency range for wireless networks, the DWL-500 features full mobility and seamless roaming from cell to cell, or across access points, at distances of up to 328 feet per cell indoors and up to 984 feet outdoors.

Bandwidth data transmission rates can be set manually at 11, 5.5, 2, or 1 Mbps per channel, or you can use the system's dynamic auto-sensing configuration to automatically determine the best rate.

Adhering strictly to the IEEE 802.11b networking standard for wireless connections, the D-Link DWL-500 provides full compatibility with multiple vendor environments using IEEE 802.11b standards. The DWL-500 also provides wired equivalent privacy (WEP) encryption for network security.

D-Link provides a lifetime warranty and free technical support for the DWL-500 wireless network card.

Customer Reviews

Not Hard to Install and No more Wires
NO MORE WIRES! I love the fact that I don't need to mess with more wires behind my computer to add it to my network. The Install went by so fast I forgot I did it, and the performance is more than what I need it for. I did look around, and I saw the best reviews for this product for it's price. It was a simple decision to make. I recommend this to anyone who wants to get ride of all the wires.

IRQ Problems
I bought the D-Link DWL-500 and tried to install in my new Dell Dimension 4400 running XP. Initial instalation went okay but subsequently was unable to re-boot...got blue screen of death specifying IRQ conflict with card in. If I removed card, computer would boot, but would freeze if I pushed the card in. Called D-Link support who told me to call motherboard manufacturer. Tried removing other cards (modem, sound card) to see if I could get DWL card to work, hoping then to reinstall others, but no luck. De-installed all software/hardware. Still get a system error message on re-boot! I have seen others say they used DWL with XP but I haven't been able to.

Trouble-Free Installation Performs as Stated
As soon as I purchased enough wireless products to set-up my own network I wanted it up and running ASAP. D-Link provides more than enough documentation with this, and the other wireless products I purchased, to make installation as trouble-free as possible. Once up and running the connection was (and still is) solid and stable.

I was Pleasently surprised at how easy it was to make this all work. I would and have recommended D-Link wireless products to all of my computer savvy friends.