Cisco Systems will next year introduce a DSL router that will let home users link multiple devices to the Internet and each other via an 11Mbit/s wireless LAN.
Cisco is betting on wireless as the best technology for home LANs, according to Charles Giancarlo, senior vice president of the networking giant's small and medium-size business division.
At Comdex, Giancarlo told the IDG News Service that an upcoming router, priced at less than $US200, will combine DSL connectivity to the Internet with a wireless LAN hub that supports the IEEE 802.11b standard. The specification provides maximum throughput of 11Mbit/s.
The device will include support for Network Address Translation (NAT) and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, which allow for flexible use of multiple IP addresses.
Cisco last week announced it will acquire Aironet, a pioneer in wireless LANs that is currently shipping products based on the 802.11b standard.
The router initially will be a data-only device, but will allow users to make calls from IP phones. Later versions may support voice over DSL, Giancarlo said.
Giancarlo said the device will compete with the $299 AirPort wireless hub recently introduced by Apple Computer , and he added it is likely several other vendors will ship similar products next year.
Cisco Systems Inc. is in San Jose, California, at http://www.cisco.com.