Everybodys connecting.

NETGEAR 108 Mbps Wireless Solution

Technology Overview
Including a description of the Super G wireless technology, product features and applications
October 2003

WGT624 108 Mbps Wireless Firewall Router WG511T 108 Mbps Wireless PC Card (notebook adapter) WAG311 108 Mbps Dual Band 802.11a/g Wireless PCI Adapter WAG511 108 Mbps Dual Band 802.11a/g Wireless PC Card (notebook adapter)

Atheros Super G technology drives the highest speeds in todays WLAN market.

Introduction
Experience the ultimate in wireless speed, extended range, ease of use, and compatibility with NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products. Theyre ideal for busy LANs more than ten times faster in real throughput, while coverage and range go more than four times farther than other 802.11b products. Now you can scream through tasks that bog down other wireless LAN technologies, including gaming, streaming media, and printing, while staying connected from any room in your home or office. NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products are fully standards-compliant. Because they communicate with other 54 Mbps, 802.11g and 11 Mbps, 802.11b devices, you can always get the maximum speed from every connection.
Wireless Performance Comparison

Wireless Range Comparison

802.11b 11Mbps 802.11g 54Mbps NETGEAR WGT624 108Mbps

Speed
802.11g

NETGEAR 108Mbps Wireless

1X 2X

802.11b

Distance

4X

Figures 1 & 2: NETGEAR 108 Mbps Wireless Super G products transmit faster and farther.

And NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products provide the highest level of industry-standard security commonly available today, including 128-bit WEP encryption commonly available today and the emerging Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security features. Step up to 108 Mbps Super Wireless from NETGEAR.

Using NETGEAR 108 Mbps Wireless Super G

Higher speed enhances your experience in everything you do with your wireless network, while it breaks through network performance barriers. NETGEAR 108 Mbps Wireless Super G delivers more throughput and greater distance for all your networking needs. Whether only a few people are using your wireless LAN or youre a power user NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless is for you. Any of the following applications demand more from your wireless network, especially when the whole family (or the whole office) is plugged in: Streaming Video Media servers, at home and in the office, are finally emerging from a choppy beginning. DVDquality streaming media, from classic movies and popular TV to training modules, can now be delivered through the air to any device, with smooth, clear performance. Gaming Blowing off a little steam after hours at the office or school? Hosting video game night at home? In demanding applications where speed means the difference between winning or

losing, nothing offers faster connections than NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products. Whole Home Coverage Cant connect to your 802.11b or 802.11g wireless router from rooms more than 60 feet away? NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless delivers phenomenal range, so you can get connected even if you are more than 300 feet from the WGT624 108 Mbps Firewall Router. Awesome Audio Updating your play lists? Downloading the latest pop hit? Listening to techno while working out? All that audio demands bandwidth, and NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless delivers. Voice and Telephony Nothing cuts off conversation faster than stuttering or a bad connection. Wireless voice chat and telephony provide new freedom and flexibility so you can talk to anyone, anytime but slow, crowded wireless links can really cramp your style. NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless takes the chatter out of any conversation. Work from Home With more people working at home, its not unusual to find two telecommuters at the same address. Security and VPN features can really stress a wireless LAN, unless you have NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless. Support for multiple VPNs means that everyone can work securely with wireless flexibility. Photo Printing Yesterday, three megapixels were plenty. Today, five megapixels are just enough. Tomorrow, wellits certain well want even more. Slow wireless networks just get in the way when sending high-resolution pictures to your color printer. Quicker connections mean faster output. Large File Transfers Syncing up your laptop after a week on the road? Replicating product or contact databases? Moving a copy of your favorite TV show onto your laptop before heading to the airport? NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products speed through these tasks with the fastest possible connections up to ten times faster than other 802.11b products.

How it Works
Based on Atheros Super G technology, the NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products achieve high throughput from multiple performance-enhancement features, including advanced radio technology and double-channel bonding. To further enhance performance, new features including simultaneous, mixed-mode connectivity for 802.11b, 802.11g, and NETGEAR 108 Mbps devices in Dynamic 108 mode; packet bursting; fast frames; and hardware compression/decompression will be available in mid-November through NETGEARs industry-leading Smart Wizard Assisted Firmware Upgrade feature. With all the features available today, you can experience 13 Mbps connectivity at 200 feet away well over the speed and range of 802.11b. And, while 802.11b peaks at 5 Mbps only three feet from the access point, the NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless solution reaches a full 300 feet while connecting at 5 Mbps.

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Wireless Performance Comparrison

50 40 Mbps 30 20 10 0 5 10 20 30 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 300 Distance (feet) NETGEAR 108Mbps 802.11g 802.11b

Figure 3: NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless Performance Compared With 802.11g and 802.11b
NETGEAR 108 Mbps based on currently shipping product (9/1/03). Additional performance boost expected in mid-November 2003 with new and enhanced features.

These enhancement techniques work in any combination to maximize network throughput under a variety of conditions and environments. This combination is expected to provide up to 90 Mbps in actual TCP/IP throughput, which approximates the throughput of 10/100 wired LAN, going far beyond yesterdays wireless performance. While performance will vary according to your operating environment, NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless performance is always significantly better than products that implement only one of these features.

Double-Channel Bonding (Available Now)

Double-channel bonding mode operates by using two radio channels, bonding them together so they appear as a single channel to both the transmitter and receiver. Not only does this feature double the data rate from the 802.11g-standard 54 Mbps to the NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless, it also increases your networks effective range. Usually, data rates for wireless networks decrease as users move away from the router. But with bonding, data rates at any given distance are effectively doubled. For example, a 36 Mbps link is now available, where the connection was only 18 Mbps. While double-channel bonding reduces the number of channels available to the network, NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products have at least 11 channels (actual number depends on local government regulations), more than enough for home and small office environments.

Dynamic Packet Bursting (Available in mid-November 2003)

In standard transmissions, there is a pause after each data packet is sent to allow other units to contend for the network. Increasing the number of packets sent without pausing to see if another node wants to use the wireless LAN can increase throughput.

Dynamic packet bursting takes advantage of the 802.11e draft standard for Quality of Service (QoS). It adjusts packets and airtime to accommodate different connection speeds and protocols, increasing overall system capacity and network performance for both 802.11g and 802.11b nodes.

Fast Frames (Available in mid-November 2003)

Data frames consist of a data packet the payload and a header, which contains information such as the system address where the packet should be delivered. Putting more than one data packet into a data frame doubles the amount of data delivered for the same amount of header overhead, effectively doubling speed. NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products automatically fall back to single data packets when communicating with devices that do not support this feature. The Fast Frames technique is also supported by the 802.11e QoS draft.

Hardware Compression/Decompression (Available in mid-November 2003)

In exactly the same way that popular programs such as WinZip and PKZip are used to shrink files before sending them over the Internet, NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products compress data before transmission, and decompress it on reception. Because the compressed information is smaller, data is transmitted faster, freeing up your wireless LAN for other traffic. While other products use software compression/decompression techniques, which adversely affect overall performance, NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless uses an all-hardware mechanism that suffers no degradation.

Compatibility and Simultaneous Interoperability

All shipping NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products conform to 802.11g-standards specifications. This ensures that compliant devices from other manufacturers perform well in a NETGEAR network, and that NETGEAR nodes are fully interoperable in other 802.11g and 802.11b networks and devices. NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless operates transparently to the user, network, and operating system, providing increased throughput on demand. Wireless nodes can communicate on a link-by-link basis with products that support these enhanced features, as well as those that do not support them.

Dynamic 108
Dynamic 108 delivers the ability to automatically switch from 108 Mbps to 802.11g or 802.11b, enabling all nodes on the network to interoperate at their highest rates. NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products support dynamic automatic switching between 108 Mbps Super Wireless, 802.11g, 802.11b, and standards-based turbo modes such as packet bursting. Dynamic 108 enables wireless networks to utilize different protocols for multiple nodes (for example, 802.11b and 108 Mbps) the rate adapts to each nodes highest-possible rate. This function is similar to the protection mechanism that is part of the 802.11g mixed-mode environment protocol. The Dynamic 108 feature will be available through the Smart Wizard Assisted Firmware Upgrade feature in mid-November 2003.

Quality of Service
More than just raw throughput is required for wireless multimedia connections. NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products feature QoS capabilities, ensuring that streaming media connections such as voice and video are not degraded due to file downloads, simultaneous Web browsing, or

other users on the network. Enjoy smooth teleconferencing, voice, and video sessions over your wireless network.

Security
NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products offer more than 10 security features, delivering the latest in protection for your wireless network. Double firewall protection using NAT and Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall technologies protects against hackers while hiding personal information and network data. Intrusion detection, event logs, and e-mail alerts help maintain control of your network. Currently shipping with strong 128-bit WEP encryption and the latest Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-shared Key (WPA-PSK) standard means data and personal information are kept secure from unauthorized users. Multi-VPN pass-through capabilities securely connect telecommuters and remote offices to corporate LANs over the Internet, with support for multiple, simultaneous users. Trusted User controls enable you to manage access to the Internet by Web address, PC name, or time of day, as well as control access to any PC on your network.

Ease of Use One Touch Installation

Set up is now quick and easy in five clicks or less! The newly enhanced Smart Wizard installation assistant automatically configures the network, detects and connects to your Internet service, and upgrades firmware. An enhanced version of port forwarding allows ports to remain open only when triggered by an application such as an Internet game inside the home. NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products are the easiest wireless devices to set up, install, and manage that you can buy. NETGEAR also supports Universal Plug and Play (UpnP) technology for smooth interoperability between PC and Macintosh computers, gaming consoles, and other Ethernet-enabled devices.

Conclusion
NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products are the first to deliver 108 Mbps Super Wireless performance. They offer a superior set of advanced, fully compliant 802.11g and 802.11b features, enhanced speed, range up to four times that of 802.11b, leading-edge security with WPA-PSK plus more than 10 additional security and privacy features, enhanced compatibility, and streamlined ease of use. Theyre ideal for home users and telecommuters, where people expect the most from their network connections. Whether connecting to the corporate network, video conferencing from a satellite office, or gaming from the sofa, NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products are designed to help you easily integrate and optimize the performance of virtually every compliant 802.11b and 802.11g device on the WLAN. NETGEAR delivers it all at an affordable price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tell me again How does this relate to other wireless standards?
NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless conforms to all 802.11g specifications and draft standards. It works with all 802.11b devices as well this interoperability is part of the 802.11g specification. Note that 802.11a operates on a different radio frequency, and interoperability is offered only on tri-mode devices, which are available from NETGEAR on the WAG311 108 Mbps Wireless Dual Band 802.11a/g PCI Adapter, and the WAG511 108 Mbps Dual Band 802.11a/g Card Bus Notebook Adapter. Isnt this just turbo mode? Its much more than that. NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless uses up to five capabilities channel bonding, packet bursting, fast frames, hardware compression/decompression, and Dynamic 108 for mixed-mode 108 Mbps interoperability to increase overall throughput. (The latter features will be available in mid-November 2003.) Routers can be configured to use any or all of these techniques, ensuring maximum performance and flexibility, while lowering administration efforts. When you say faster than 802.11g, what does that mean? Isnt actual throughput determined by many different factors? The 802.11g specification provides for a theoretical 54 Mbps connection (also known as data rate). However, actual throughput is about 24 Mbps, which is less than the 54 Mbps throughput of 802.11g. Newer products are appearing on the market that add additional functionality for example, burst mode which increases throughput incrementally. NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless adds five new features, significantly increasing throughput. The overall effect can bring TCP/IP throughput to 90 Mbps (using Netperf benchmarks in the NETGEAR lab). Actual performance will vary according to the network environment as noted above, but actual delivered performance is always significantly better than designs that implement only one performance feature, such as those which implement just packet bursting. Doesnt 802.11g slow down if theres an 802.11b device on the same wireless network? Up until the release of NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products, the answer was yes. When both 802.11b and 802.11g products operate simultaneously on the network, protocols designed to protect 802.11b node throughput tend to reduce the throughput from 802.11g users. However, this latest generation uses QoS features built into the 802.11g standard. NETGEAR not only overcomes these initial drawbacks, but also maximizes throughput for both types of users. Speed is good, but what are some other reasons I should buy NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless? Ease of use, interoperability, security, and investment protection: NETGEARs Smart Wizard installation routines all but eliminate the hassles associated with setting up network equipment, even for gaming applications. NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products conform to all 802.11g standard specifications. They work with any product that adheres to the IEEE 802.11g and 802.11b standards.

A dozen security features, including double firewall, multiple VPN, intrusion detection, WPAPSK, and trusted user controls protect user information and network data. Your wireless network investment is protected with NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products. Interoperable with virtually all 802.11g and 802.11b products on the market, NETGEAR optimizes the performance and throughput of all 802.11g products, including those from other companies. Offering speeds as fast or faster than wired networks, with important QoS capabilities, NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products are ready for higher network loads and emerging applications that will demand more, such as video conferencing and VoIP.

How is range extended? NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products offer a double-channel capability that operates by using the spectrum for two radio channels. This not only doubles the data rate, but also increases the effective range of a network. For example, a 36 Mbps link would be available where a user once connected at 18 Mbps. Doesnt using the double-channel capability reduce the number of users who can be on the WLAN? NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products are targeted at small offices and home environments, offering the performance, protection, and ease-of-use capabilities that these demanding users require. With at least 11 channels per wireless router, there is easily enough capacity even when all users are using multichannel mode. Do users need to do anything special to get increased throughput with NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products? NETGEAR 108 Mbps Super Wireless products are fully interoperable with 802.11g and 802.11b products. These features can be configured in either static mode (on or off) or dynamic mode (enabled as required), available in mid-November 2003. These features operate transparently to the user, network, and operating system, providing increased throughput on demand. A wireless node can communicate on a link-by-link basis with products that support these extended features as well as with ones that dont.

2003 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, the Netgear logo, The Gear Guy, Everybodys Connecting and Auto Uplink are trademarks or registered trademarks of Netgear, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Super G is a trademark of Atheros Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Information is subject to change. All rights reserved.