Compaq's iPAQ line of devices isn't just a group of consumer goodies -- it contains some robust networking equipment, as well. Take the Connection Point CP-2W for instance. It supports a high-speed DSL or cable modem using dynamic IP, static IP, and PPPoE connections. It adds Network Address Translation (NAT), so for security you expose only one IP address from several different devices. And as far as generating those IP addresses, the internal DHCP server automatically generates up to 253 IP addresses for the devices on your LAN. Does it sound like Compaq was playing around with this device? I didn't think so.

You can wirelessly connect 802.11b-enabled devices to the CP-2W from up to 300 feet away. And with transmission speeds of up to 11 Mbps, it will feel like you are physically connected to your network. For physical connections, the CP-2W has a built-in four-port Fast Ethernet Switch for up to four PCs with Ethernet cards. These auto-sensing ports automatically configure to 10 or 100 Mbps transmission rates.

With the recent waves of viruses, security is a definite concern when you connect to the Internet. And the CP-2W takes that into account. For the wireless network, it includes 64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption. As for your physical connections, the CP-2W is set with a secure VPN pass-through that will give users secure access to a corporate network. To keep unwanted Internet content out of your network, the device has IP and port filtering. In addition, a Web DMZ allows an IP address to be set up outside the firewall for Web page serving or other services. A virtual server enables a virtual port for services like FTP, while the host remains securely behind the firewall. To manage all of these functions, the CP-2W has internal Web-based management pages.

Windows-compatible, the CP-2W measures 4.45 x 2.13 x .21 inches and weighs 1.1 lbs.

Pricing and Availability

The iPAQ Connection Point CP-2W is currently available for $299.

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