in environments presenting "significant connectivity challenges."
According to the company, the v1.02.23 software update improves connectivity quality and reliability through "significant and unique" roaming algorithm enhancements. The new release also adds support for Cisco's CKIP and CMIC encryption protocols, which predate the IEEE 802.11i temporal key integrity protocol (TKIP) and message integrity check (MIC), but are still used by some wireless LAN infrastructures.
Usability enhancements include a new icon in the Windows System Tray that provides visual status for the Summit WiFi module in the device and enables a user to launch the Summit Client Utility (SCU) by tapping the icon. Users who need assistance with SCU can now take advantage of Windows CE Help for context-sensitive assistance, Summit says.
Summit president Ron Seide explained, "Without software that is designed, tested, and proven in harsh radio environments, even the best radio can fail to establish and maintain a network connection, especially on a device that is in the hand of a mobile worker or mounted to a forklift. When a loss of connectivity causes a business-critical application to fail, the result is lost data, a loss of productivity, and a real bottom-line hit to the organization."
The v1.02.23 update is available for Windows CE 4.2 and 5.0, Pocket PC 2003, and Windows Mobile 5.0. Once a device manufacturer certifies v1.02.23 for devices that embed Summit radio modules, that manufacturer can load or upgrade to v1.02.23 at no additional charge, according to the company.
Summit's 10G modules are offered in three formats:
- CF10G CompactFlash module
- PC10G PCMCIA module
- MCF10G miniature CompactFlash module
All three are currently available in production quantities, according to the company. The CF10G, MCF10G, and PC10G list for $89, $99, and $109, respectively, with volume discounts available to "qualified mobile device vendors."
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