Introducing NET2 line of products

1. Overview

We are developing and will release a new line of products - NET2, allowing use of peripheral cards through wireless internet protocol connection.
Our 2 current product lines rely on wired connection to a computer system:
- USB2 line - connecting through USB (up to 15ft/5m cable)
- XPRS line - connecting through PCI express (up to 1m cable)

The NET2 products can operate wirelessly on distances of up to 150 feet / 50m indoors and 300 feet / 100m outdoors. However the effective range will depend on multiple factors.

Currently we are developing 2 products in the NET2 line:
- NET2ISA - allowing use of 1 ISA card through wireless connection















- NET2PCI - allowing use of 1 PCI card through wireless connection















As visible on the images above both the NET2 products have external antenna - allowing multiple ways of placement of the antenna in order to get the best/highest transmit/receive signal levels.

NET2 products have to be powered on, and the mounted peripheral cards use a variety of voltages. We provide multiple options for powering, please check these articles:
- voltage requirements and powering of ISA cards
- voltage requirements and powering of PCI cards

The NET2 line can be extended with additional products - 3 connector product, 7 connector product, and a slot product, in a way similar to products in our USB2 and XPRS lines.

2. Modes of operation

2.1. Basics

NET2 products can operate in 3 different modes:
- Access point mode
- Local connection mode
- Global connection mode

Please check these articles to get technical details:
- 'Local and global IP addresses' .

- 'Outward and inward communication' .

- 'Enabling inward communication' .

2.2. Access point mode

The 'Access point' mode is the initial mode in which a new NET2 device operates.

When a new NET2 device is powered on it creates its own access point and a computer system which want to connect to the NET2 device has to join the access point created by the NET2 device.

When previously initialized NET2 device can not connect to any of the defined WiFi networks it will also enter 'Access point' mode.















Not only a single computer system but multiple computer systems can connect to the NET2 access point.

In this initial mode the connected computer system can define ID and password to access the NET2 device and one or more WiFi networks and their passwords - and NET2 device will save and keep them.

Then the NET2 device can stop its ow access point and connect to one of the defined WiFi networks - operating in local or global connection mode.

Or the NET2 device can continue to operate and communicate with one or more computer systems in the current access point mode.

The distance between the NET2 device and connected one or more computer systems can be up to 150 feet / 50m indoors and 300 feet / 100m outdoors.

2.3. Local communication mode

From the point of view of the computer system which connects to a Net2 device the 'Access point' mode not convenient - no access to internet.

Normally the computer system connects to a local access point based on modem/router which gives it access to internet - globally.

The modem/router forms a local network and assigns local IP addresses to computer devices. Additional details on this are in this article - !!! link Local and global IP network and address

A NET2 device which was given the WiFi network id and password can connect to this network and be assigned a local IP address as well.














One of more computer systems can communicate on the local network through their assigned local IP addresses.

In this mode the distance between the NET2 device and connected one or more computer systems can also be up to 150 feet / 50m indoors and 300 feet / 100m outdoors.

2.4. Global communication mode

In local communication mode both the computer system(s) and the NET2 device are connected to the same WiFi network.

In global communication mode the computer system(s) are connected to one WiFi network and the NET2 device is connected to another WiFi network.














In order to establish communication preferable both sides have to enable 'inward' type of communication.

Please check this article - 'Outward and inward communication' for more on what this type of communication.

Please check this article - 'Local and global IP addresses' for details on how to enable this type of communication.

In the global communication mode consideration should be given to latency because of the distance.

A signal moving at the speed of light (300,000km/s) will take 10ms to travel 3,000km. For ex. a signal traveling from New York city to Los Angeles will take close to 15ms.

Of course additional delays/latency will be added as the signal travels though signal amplifiers, routers/switches/gateways.

3. Summary

We are developing and will be releasing a new product line - NET2 for handling peripheral cards wirelessly. Current products in the line - NET2ISA , NET2PCI .

Multiple options for powering of the peripheral cards.

3 different modes of operation of NET2 products:
- Access point mode
- Local connection mode
- Global connection mode

Wireless operation on distances of up to 150 feet / 50m indoors and 300 feet / 100m outdoors, or globally.