TDK Goes 802.11 With Xbox

While some companies use the Xbox to draw crowds by giving them away as part of a prize draw, TDK used one as part a subnet for a wireless network connected to the Internet. It wasn't much of a display, but it was supposed to be a sneak peek at TDK's new generation of wireless LAN products supporting 802.11a/b. TDK Semiconductor provides the chipsets for the wireless LAN products so, it was as much a proof of concept for the chipset as it was a demonstration of another entry into the wireless LAN card and access point market.

Okay, so it was an Xbox. They had us at Halo.

Wrap Up

All right. It's a big topic to cover adequately. Networking is a monster. Probably the most interesting aspect of networking for the majority of computer enthusiasts and users is the impact of wireless networking. There are immediate advantages to taking your SOHO environment, or your home network, and going wireless, especially if you dread running Ethernet wires through the walls, or don't really think that Powerline and HomePNA are your cup of tea.

On the other hand, the server market is shaping up to be more interesting as vendors incorporate a number of functions into the server box. Obviously, the HyperTransport Consortium and AMD realize where the sweet spot of the all-in-one-box server market is. It's going to be an interesting evolution for smaller to mid-size organizations.