Interactive scorecard and NetResults: Wireless LAN access points

Network World Fusion, 02/05/01

Every network is unique. This calculator lets you change the weights given to scores from our review to see how this product might be best suited for your needs.

Here's how it works:
New scoring for reviews
As of Jan. 8, Network World has switched its scoring scale. We will now score products on a scale of 1 to 5, rather than 1 to 10. We feel that scoring on a 1 to 5 range would be more easily understood than previous methods. As it relates to school grades, the new scoring would establish 1=D, 2=C, 3=B, 4=A. A score of 5 would be the exceptional score - a scholastic equivalent would be scoring an A in an honors class.

For each category below, assign the percentage weight you think is most appropriate. The percent-o-meter box on the right will keep track of your weightings to let you know when you've reached 100%. When you fill in the last box, hit your enter key, and you'll see how the apps rate (along with our final score for comparison).

Percent-
o-meter

Category	Our weight	Your weight
Security	25%	%
Stability	20%	%
Throughput	20%	%
Management	15%	%
Installation	10%	%
Price	10%	%

Results table

Below, you'll find the 1-5 score given to each app by our reviewers. To obtain the final score: Multiply each individual score by the weighting given that category, then add up all those resulting numbers.

Cisco Enterasys DLink Lucent Proxim

Security 5 5 3.5 4 4.5

Stability 5 5 5 5 4.5

Through-
put 5 4 5 4 2

Manage-
ment 5 4 2.5 3 4

Install-
ation 5 5 5 5 4.5

Price 4 4 5 4 5

Our total 4.90 4.55 4.25 4.15 3.98

YOUR TOTAL

Scoring key:
5: Exceptional showing in this category. Defines the standard of excellence;
4: Very good showing. Although there may be room for improvement, this product was much better than average;
3: Average showing in this category. Product was neither especially good nor exceptionally bad;
2: Below average. Lacked some features or lower performance than other products, or than was expected;
1: Considerably subpar, or lacking features being reviewed.

Symbol Intel Buffalo Intermec

Security 4 4 4 3.5

Stability 5 5 5 5

Throughput 3 3 2 3

Management 3 3 3.5 3

Install-
ation 5 5 3.5 5

Price 4 4 5 3

Our total 3.95 3.95 3.78 3.73

YOUR TOTAL

Scoring key:
5: Exceptional showing in this category. Defines the standard of excellence;
4: Very good showing. Although there may be room for improvement, this product was much better than average;
3: Average showing in this category. Product was neither especially good nor exceptionally bad;
2: Below average. Lacked some features or lower performance than other products, or than was expected;
1: Considerably subpar, or lacking features being reviewed.

Aironet 340
Score: 4.9
Company: Cisco, (800) 553-6387
Cost: $1,299, $14,356 for four access points and 40 NICs.
Pros: Easy to set up, administer and use; great performance.
Con: A bit on the pricey side.