Notebook personal computers and wireless local area networks do seem to go together rather well, at any rate Mountain View, California-based Proxim Inc, which likes to think of itself as the leading supplier of spread spectrum wireless products to the OEM market, certainly believes so, and it has launched ProxNet, the first Novell Inc NetWare-compatible wireless network for pen-based portable computers. ProxNet will enable notepad computer users to communicate to each other and with machines on existing local area networks without wires over distances of 500 feet. Using licence-free – in the US, anyway – spread spectrum RF communications, ProxNet provides a wireless communication link that does not require line of sight and passes through walls and other obstructions. Proxim reckons the capability will appeal to warehouse, medical, factory and retail users, giving them the power of a desktop machine in their hands – with complete access to their central computer system – which of course can be anywhere in the world if there is a wide-area gateway on the local network. ProxNet consists of miniaturised communication modules in each notepad computer, an AT bus Network Interface Card in a new or existing NetWare file server or client, and NetWare drivers. The board installs like standard server interface cards and provides complete access to all NetWare services. Because it has to be manufactured into the notepad, Proxnet is available only OEM – and the company omitted to put a price on the thing.
