How we did it
 
|
|||
 | |||
|
| Interactive scorecard and NetResults | The Road to 3G | Fusion exclusive: Product screenshots |
Our local physical test environment for this review consisted of six Fast Ethernet subnet domains connected via Cisco routers and Covad symmetric DSL lines. On the local network, our test applications ran on three Gateway NS-8000 computers with 333-MHz Pentium II dual processors, 512M bytes of RAM and three 9G bytes SCSI RAID drives as well as three 333-MHz Pentium II Gateway NS-7000 computers with 512M bytes of RAM and three 18G bytes SCSI RAID drives. For all servers, the operating system platform was Windows NT Server 4.0 with Service Pack 6 or Windows 2000 Advanced Server with Service Pack 1. The available relational databases were Oracle 8i, Sybase Adaptive Server 11.5 and Microsoft SQL Server 7.0. The 25 client computers on the network were a mix of Win 2000 Professional, NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 98, OS/2 Warp 4.0 and Macintosh System 8 platforms. We used an Agilent Advisor protocol analyzer to monitor network traffic during the tests.
Nonlocally, the four wireless devices were a Sprint PCS Motorola TimePort P8767 phone, a TimePort P7389 cell phone, a Palm VIIx PDA with wireless access and a Research In Motion (RIM) Blackberry model 957. The WAP browser version was 1.2.
We used two in-house-developed vertical market applications plus miscellaneous database query tasks as a test framework. The two custom-built applications were a three-tier Web-based automobile insurance claim adjudication package and a three-tier Web-based search engine process for querying a financial database. The insurance claim software is what a claims adjuster uses to record your claim when you tell your auto insurance company your vehicle's been in an accident. A financial adviser would use the financial database search software to help a client build a retirement plan or investment portfolio.
In each test, we evaluated a product's ability to provide mobile wireless access to the applications. We looked for ease of use, comprehensive access to a variety of wireless devices, adherence to standards, platform neutrality, clear documentation and easy installation. We also noted any special features a product might exhibit.
RELATED LINKS
Nance, a software developer and consultant for 29 years, is the author of Introduction to Networking, 4th Edition and Client/Server LAN Programming. He can be reached at barryn@erols.com.
Nance is also a member of the Network World Global Test Alliance, a cooperative of the premier reviewers in the network industry, each bringing to bear years of practical experience on every review. For more Test Alliance information, including what it takes to become a member, go to www.nwfusion.com/alliance.
Developing wireless apps just got easier
Taking a notebook computer into the field helps alleviate the need to fill out forms, but remote workers still cannot connect to the main network until they return to the office.
Fusion exclusive: Product screenshots
A peek at what the user interface's look like for the products reviewed.
Interactive scorecard and NetResults: Wireless
Use our calculator to see which mobile application development tool would best suit your needs.
The Road to 3G
The next generation of wireless WAN networks have certainly received lots of hype. We've got the latest on who's doing what, and where the marketplace stands.
Sign up for our Wireless in the Enterprise Newsletter
Wireless technology finally seems to be hitting its stride. Independent Technology Editor Joanie Wexler will bring you the latest info about how enterprises can take advantage of wireless LANs and WANs.
