D-Link (Atheros-based?) DWL-G520 AND DWL-G520+ Cards (Asia)

[szern]

Hi,

Things just got a bit interesting here in Asia. I've just checked with the local D-Link Distributor....

It seems there are two (2) different DWL-G520/DWL-G520+ PCI Cards.

DWL-G520 (Up to 54Mbps) (http://www.dlink-intl.com/Web/product2003.nsf/fdff9a92f6c2891248256d2d00272651/6edc608e931cc2a348256d7a001e6e7e?OpenDocument) AND DWL-G520+ (Up to 88Mbps) (http://www.dlink-intl.com/Web/product2003.nsf/fdff9a92f6c2891248256d2d00272651/02597e13b613e41048256dbf0012e9be?OpenDocument)

Right now, I have no idea which one to utilize for Atheros support, and none of them seem to support the Super-G (108Mbps) standard at this point in time.
If there is going to be a Super-G upgrade, I'm not sure which one will be able to support it. *Sigh*

Also, in this part of Asia (Malaysia in particular) 802.11a is not approved for use locally (it seems 5.3GHz belongs to the Air Force), so we'll never get the DWL-AG520.

Oh yeah, don't bother asking me to ask the D-Link Distributor which card to utilize. They're the typical Asian-type of Distributors.

Anyone, can help me with which card to utilize? (G-520 or G-520+)

Thanks!

[tony]

Go with the DWL-G520 (non plus), as the G520+ is TI-based.

The DWL-G520 does support the Super-G 108Mbps mode in StarOS.

Thanks!

[lonnie]

Ask them to get the DWL-AG520 since that covers all the possible bands with one card. Or as an option try for the Senao NL-3054MP Aries mini PCI or the NL-3054PCI Aries. Either of these have a/b/g support.

[szern]

Wow Tony/Lonnie,

Those were fast replies! :)
Okay, I'll go get myself some DWL-G520 for testing then.

Urmm.. I would really like the DWL-AG520's but its just not possible. Any equipment that utilizes the 802.11a spectrum/band (either as a straight-up 802.11a or in combo mode) would not get approved by the local certification authority.
Since 802.11a stretches from 5.3GHz to 5.8GHz, and 5.3GHz is government spectrum, its definitely a no-go.
In fact, not a single piece of 802.11a equipment by any of the vendors in the country has been approved. (There will be some fellows running around and using them, I guess, but its illegal)

802.11g equipment from a few vendors are actually under-going certification at this point in time (in fact, there's been no approvals yet) but we don't forsee any problems or bumps in getting it approved, since it runs in the 2.4Ghz band.

[lonnie]

The Atheros cards have a regulatory section that abides by the bands that a particular country allows. It also adjusts the power since many countries have their own power limits for the different bands. These are some pretty cool cards.

[szern]

Oh.. I didn't know that. (I guess the local distributor wouldn't have known that too - Time to do some education)

But are the regulatory sections pre-set in cards shipped from manufacturer or are they set by the end-user? a rogue user could pretty much just adjust power upwards to the card's maximum?

For example:
a) If I place one of these cards into a Star-OS system, could I over-ride or set the regulatory section/settings?
b) Legitimate Use (This is true btw :) ): So far we've setup a pair of Star-OS boxes with equipment obtained locally/overseas and configured locally, but actual destination use has been in Thailand (which has its own regulations on band and transmit power). Could I then change the settings to that country's section and ship it to them?
c) Illegitimate Use (This is playing Devil's Advocate): A rogue end-user could purchase a card which has 802.11a band disabled BUT once home could enable the band and be in contravention of regulations?

[lonnie]

We will abide by the regulatory info stored in the card and if that is messed or not present then the driver will default to US mode.

[szern]

Is there anyway for us to check what regulatory info is stored on the card?

[tony]

Not at this point, though may be something we can include in the channel list display.

Is there anyway for us to check what regulatory info is stored on the card?