Fixed Wireless Equipment

RadioLAN's Compact Wireless Bridge

RadioLAN's compact Campus BridgeLINK-Lite combines several powerful units into a single hardened enclosure that achieves price and space savings. Pricing is antipated to be $1,799 per side.

by ISP-Planet Staff [July 2, 2002]

RadioLAN Marketing Group's compact Campus BridgeLINK-Lite is a full-featured version of its Campus BridgeLINK family, but incorporates the radio, bridge processor, and antenna into a single weather tight enclosure. A simple Power-over-Ethernet approach eliminates costly RF cables installation, and maximizes the range capability.

Tom Mitchell, RadioLAN chief executive officer, said the new addition to the BridgeLINK product line is important because it brings a compact, easy-to-install, and low-cost solution to network administrators who are just beginning to recognize the advantages of 5 GHz wireless bridges.

"This solution should convince a whole segment of the networking population that wireless bridge systems are a viable and attractive option for high-speed, high-throughput networks," Mitchell said.

The new unit is a closed system, about the size of a shoebox, that can transmit at full speed for distances up to a mile. Like all models in the Campus BridgeLINK line, the Campus BridgeLINK-Lite broadcasts in the license-free 5 GHz band. Once installed, the system provides a secure, always-on connection with the remote location.

Wai Sing Lee, Frost & Sullivan analyst, said the Campus BridgeLINK Lite product is a leap forward for companies and individuals interested in connecting their Ethernet networks.

"Its small size and low price will make deployments that much more attractive for those end-users who value secure and interference-free wireless communications," Lee added.

Unlike rival products operating at slower speeds in 2.4 GHz bands whose modulation techniques and security mechanisms are open to public scrutiny, the Campus BridgeLINK-Lite offers the same high-security features of the earlier RMG bridge products.

All models of Campus BridgeLINK family use 10BaseRadio technology that is fully compatible with IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standards. RadioLAN products are plug and play compatible with standard 10BaseT wired networks and offer an optional RSA encryption package for use on secure networks.

Pricing and availability

The list price of the Campus BridgeLINK-Lite is anticipated to be $1,799 per side.

In conjunction with the product debut, list price of Campus BridgeLINK-II is being reduced to $2,299 per side for the 5.8 GHz model, effective immediately.

Note that it takes two sides to build one link.

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