Wireless LAN client comparison
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Every wireless network is made up of the access point and the wireless adapter. The access points can be wireless routers, which will distribute data to each client (adapter).
The adapters are controlled by software, called "clients" or wireless connection management utilities.
There are many wireless LAN clients available for use. The clients vary in technical aspects, support of protocols and other factors. Some clients only work with certain hardware devices, while others only on certain operating systems.
The table below compares the different types of wireless LAN clients.
| Name | Creator | First Public Release (yyyy-MMM-dd) | Authentication | Security | Latest Stable Version (Release Date) | Cost | O.S. Support | Limitations | Target audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel PROSet Wireless [1] | Intel | ?? | LEAP or EAP-FAST | WEP, WPA,WPA2 | 10.5.0.0 | Free | Windows | Only for intel wireless modules | Desktop, Workstation, Server, Windows users |
| ThinkVantage Access Connections Manager [2] | Lenovo | 2006-APR-21 | LEAP, EAP-TLS | WEP, WPA,WPA2 | 4.42 | Free | Windows | Only for intel PRO/wireless modules | Desktop, Workstation, Server, Windows users |
| Cisco Aironet [3] | Cisco | ?? | LEAP, EAP | WEP, WPA,WPA2 | ver | Free | Windows | ?? | Desktop, Workstation, Server, Windows users |
| Microsoft Wireless Zero Configuration [4] | Microsoft | October 25, 2001 (with Windows XP) | PEAP-ELS, PEAP-MS-CHAP v2 | WEP, WPA,WPA2 | ver | Free | Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 | none | Desktop, Workstation, Server, Windows users |
| Dell Wireless LAN Card Utility [5] | Dell | ?? | ?? | WEP, WPA,WPA2 | ver 3.0 | Free | Windows | Only for Cisco Aironet products | Desktop, Workstation, Server, Windows users |
| Broadcom WLAN Utility [6] | Broadcom | ?? | ?? | WEP, WPA,WPA2 | ver 6.0 | Free | Windows | Only for Broadcom wireless modules | Desktop, Workstation, Server, Windows users |
| Juniper Networks Odyssey Access Client [7] | Funk/Juniper | ?? | EAP | WEP, WPA,WPA2 | 4.72 | ?? | Windows, Linux, Mac OS X | ?? | Desktop, Workstation, Server, Windows users |
| NetworkManager [8] | nm | ?? | ?? | WEP, WPA, WPA2 | ver 0.6.4 | Free (GNU) | Linux | Wireless drivers must support HAL | Desktop, Workstation, Server, Linux/Unix users |
| BVRP Connection Manager Lite [9] | BVRP/Avanquest | ?? | ?? | ?? | 1.03 | Free | Windows | ?? | ?? |
| BVRP Connection Manager Pro [10] | BVRP/Avanquest | ?? | ?? | ?? | 1.03 | 20.73 € | Windows | ?? | ?? |
| Wireless Assistant [11] | ?? | ?? | ?? | WEP, WPA, WPA2 | 0.5.7 (2007-04-03) | Free (GNU) | Linux | ?? | ?? |
