An increasing amount of office and home-entertainment devices are being equipped with an Ethernet port. Now, all of those devices have the opportunity to become wireless. This news offers renewed hope to home-office users, parents of the video-game-obsessed, and many others. Their dream of doing away with messy wires may have finally come true, thanks to products like the AirStation 54-Mbps Wireless Ethernet Converter-g (WLI-TX1-G54).

Hailing from Buffalo Technology, this converter is designed to offer wireless connectivity to products with Ethernet ports. Examples include printers, scanners, hubs, switches, gaming consoles, and entertainment devices. The WLI-TX1-G54 is compatible with both personal and Apple computers. It can be configured with any operating system via a simple web interface.

The Ethernet converter also promises to be easy to install and configure. It doesn't even require software. And once it's configured, the WLI-TX1-G54 retains its network settings. It can be moved to other Ethernet-ready devices on the network.

With the ability to reach 54 Mbps of throughput, the AirStation converter is based on the IEEE 802.11g standard. Yet it's compatible with 802.11b devices. The product includes a 10/100 RJ-45 port. It provides 64-/128-b Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) support. With a physical size of 2.2 x 4.8 in., this wireless Ethernet converter can fit into almost any home or office space (See Photo). Conveniently, it supports Windows, Macintosh, and Linux.

Backed by a two-year limited warranty and 24/7, toll-free technical support, the AirStation 54-Mbps Wireless Ethernet Converter-g (WLI-TX1-G54) is now available. Its street price is $129.

Buffalo Technology (USA), Inc.
4030 W. Braker Ln., Suite 120, Austin, TX 78759-5319; (512) 794-8533, FAX: (512) 794-8520, www.buffalotech.com/wireless.