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A Closer Look :::...
In actual fact this isn't the correct box as MSI initially sent me the version that works only with their own motherboards. The only real differences between the two boxes, and indeed the two cards, is that the MSI-specific version uses a red PCB while the universal version has a green PCB.
The design is nicely done and the front boasts 802.11G support, easy installation and also support for WPA (WiFi Protected Access). WPA is a fairly recent data encryption standard created to plug some of the security weaknesses found in the WEP standard until 802.11i appears in force.
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The Box |
Again, the manual here is the wrong version but it seemed pointless photographing it again when the two are identical but for the PCB colour in the picture. You also get the obligatory installation CD and a couple of subliminal sales pamphlets.
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Software and Literature |
The card is actually quite sparse looking with only three major components on show, the Ralink processor chip, the WiFi modulator and the Bluetooth modulator.
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DualNet Card |
The bracket sports three LEDs, a power status LED, a WLAN link active LED and a Bluetooth link active LED. As you'd expect there are also a pair of SMA antenna connectors, one for the WiFi cable and the other for the Bluetooth cable.
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Bracket |
The wireless LAN aspect of the card is handled by Ralink's RT2560 MAC/baseband processor which offers support for a,b and g standards.
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Ralink Processor |
RT2560 Features:
- CardBus / Mini PCI / PCI / High speed UART interface
- Bus master design for low CPU utilization
- Security - WEP 64/128, TKIP, WPA, 802.11i
- Quality of Service (QoS) - 802.11e
- International regulation - 802.11d
- Cisco CCX compliance
- 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 Mbps for OFDM; 5.5, 11Mbps for CCK; and 1, 2Mbps for barker modulation.
- 72 Mbps support in proprietary mode
- Outstanding multi-path delay spread: 125ns at 11Mbps, 100ns at 54Mbps, respectively.
- Advanced power saving algorithm
- Serial EEPROM, LEDs, GPIOs interface
- Operating systems - Windows XP, Windows2000, Windows ME, 98SE, Linux
- CMOS single chip in 12 mm x12 mm TFBGA-180 package
 3.3V/1.8V, 3/5V PCI I/O
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