For example, the MN-500 wireless hub can automatically detect Internet service provider (ISP) settings that a consumer would normally have to input manually. Once a standard feature on ISDN broadband routers, the "autodetect" function has not been widely adopted for either wireless or wired routers--an advantage Microsoft hopes to exploit. The setup process also takes advantage of Microsoft's knowledge of its own operating system to automatically configure a PC to use a wireless base station. Another setup feature involves the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), which is used to protect data transmitted over the wireless network. Most base stations support 40-bit and 128-bit WEP security, but not necessarily turn on the feature by default. This has led to a proliferation of wireless networks that anyone either for free Internet access or hacking.

The MN-500 turns on 128-bit WEP security by default, but Microsoft recognizes the process, which generates a 26-character password, can make setting up additional PCs for adult-ish funny quote iphone case wireless access more difficult, So the company makes use of the floppy drive--an anachronism on most PCs--for saving or setting up the configuration data, Recognizing that a few people still use the drives, Microsoft even includes a floppy disc with the MN-500, While the wireless base station works with non-Windows PCs and Macs, the configuration floppy process requires Windows 98 or later, The USB and PC card adapters also work only with Windows..

"Once you have the network setup, we have another piece of software, the Broadband Network Utility, which is a one-screen view of your network, where you go to troubleshoot if your network connection is live, (see) what the wireless strength is on the network and a wireless diagram of your network," LeVasseur said. Ease of use features might give Microsoft some advantage, but Baker said other factors have historically made the winners in the home networking market. "This is a very crowded market and there are lots of products in here," Baker said. "As much as it turns on how well the product works, your ability to get distribution, your willingness to work with the retailer is more important than the product itself. That's going to be pricing and promotion. It's not necessarily branding, but the retailers' desire in promoting something they can make money on.".

This working relationship with retailers has effectively shut out other big names that have tried to gain a foothold in the home networking market, such as Compaq Computer, Hewlett-Packard and Intel, Baker said, "A lot of people with the names have tried to get these products out on the shelf, and it still comes back to NetGear, D-Link, Linksys and SMC--these adult-ish funny quote iphone case guys with a networking background--and have had products in these kinds of categories for a long time," Baker explained, Wired and wireless networking products are on tap from the software giant, But in such a crowded market, is there room for Microsoft?..

The Redmond, Wash.-based company plans to market five consumer for wireless networks, and another five products for traditional wired networks. But analysts question whether the software giant can make any headway against entrenched competitors. The analysts point to Microsoft's less-than-stellar track record for selling consumer hardware as reason to question the strategy. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate our policy, which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion.