Appendix A: Suppliers, Manufacturers, and Resources

Wi-Fi Networking Hardware

The following manufacturers produce wireless hardware targeted toward home, small office, and home office consumers, in addition to other networking and computing products and accessories.

3COM (www.3com.com)

Founded in 1979, 3COM manufactures many networking devices including Wi-Fi gear. The 3 “COMs” in the name are computer, communication, and compatibility.

Wireless Products: access points, adapters, antennas, Bluetooth adapters, bridges, and routers

Actiontec (www.actiontec.com)

Actiontec produces broadband and wireless networking products for consumers. Actiontec focuses on producing affordable products for home users that are easy to use.

Wireless Products: access points, adapters, Bluetooth adapters, and DSL router/modems

AmbiCom (www.ambicom.com)

Founded in 1997, AmbiCom produces a full line of wired and wireless products. AmbiCom specializes in mobile wireless solutions and produces wireless adapters for laptops, PDAs, and printers. In addition to wireless products, Ambicom also produces GPS cards for Pocket PC devices.

Wireless Products: access points, adapters, Bluetooth adapters, GPS cards, and routers

Apple Computer (www.apple.com)

Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple in 1976. Since then, Apple has been one of the most innovative companies in the computer industry. Although known for its operating systems and Computers, Apple also manufactures wireless products for both Mac OS and PC systems.

Wireless Products: AirPort Extreme wireless access point

Belkin (www.belkin.com)

Belkin has been producing networking products since its founding in 1983. Now it has expanded its product line to include wireless networking products as well.

Products: access points, adapters, antennas, Bluetooth adapters, and routers

Buffalo Technology (USA) (www.buffalotech.com)

Buffalo Technology (USA) is a subsidiary of Japan’s Buffalo, Inc. Buffalo manufactures wired and wireless networking devices in addition to its computer memory products.

Products: access points, adapters, antennas, bridges, repeaters, and routers

D-Link Systems (www.dlink.com)

D-Link produces wired and wireless networking products for the home, small office and enterprise environments. It also produces many other wireless products, including cameras, and wireless game adapters. D-Link is one of leaders in products for home use and has excellent technical support.

Products: access points, adapters, antennas, Bluetooth adapters, bridges, cameras, repeaters, and routers

Hawking Technology (www.hawkingtech.com)

Hawking Technology has been producing wired and wireless networking products for over 13 years. Hawking specializes in products for home and small business users and has excellent customer support.

Products: access points, adapters, antennas, Bluetooth adapters, print servers, and routers

Linksys (www.linksys.com)

Linksys is a division of Cisco Systems that focuses on consumer networking products. Linksys manufactures consumer wired and wireless networking products.

Products: access points, adapters, antennas, cameras, game adapters, Bluetooth adapters, print servers, wireless media centers, and routers

MiLAN Technology (www.milan.com)

Founded in 1990, MiLAN manufactures wired and wireless networking gear for home and business. MiLAN’s focus is on business products, but it does produce some excellent and affordable Wi-Fi gear suitable for home use.

Products: access points, adapters, and bridges

NETGEAR (www.netgear.com)

Founded in 1996, NETGEAR focuses entirely on producing wired and wireless networking equipment for home and small-office users.

Products: access points, adapters, antennas, bridges, print servers, and routers

SanDisk (www.sandisk.com)

Founded in 1988, SanDisk is the largest producer of flash memory storage in the world. SanDisk also produces some Wi-Fi cards for Pocket PC devices.

Products: CF card Wi-Fi adapters and flash storage.

SMC Networks (www.smc.com)

Founded in 1971, SMC has been an industry leader for over 30 years. SMC produces a full line of consumer wired and wireless networking products, including the EZ Networking line specifically designed for home and small-office users.

Products: access points, adapters, bridges, and routers.

Startech.com (www.startech.com)

Startech manufactures a variety of replacement parts and computing and networking hardware, including wireless gear. Startech specializes in hard-to-find parts and has excellent support and service.

Products: access points, Bluetooth adapters, adapters, bridges, and routers

TRENDware International (www.trendnet.com/us.htm)

Founded in 1990, TRENDware is a leading manufacturer of networking products worldwide. TRENDware manufactures both Ethernet and wireless networking products for home and small business users.

Products: access points, adapters, antennas, Bluetooth adapters, bridges, print servers, and routers

U.S. Robotics (www.usr.com)

Founded in 1976, U.S. Robotics is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of networking devices, including wireless gear. Chances are that at some point, you’ve connected to the Internet with a USR modem. USR produces devices for all markets, from home consumers through the enterprise.

Products: access points, adapters, bridges, and routers