Xircom today announced a new combination modem-Ethernet card, the first capable of operating on high-speed 100-mbps networks, older 10-mbps Ethernet connections, and as a 56-kbps modem.
The Xircom CreditCard Ethernet 10/100+Modem 56 allows customers to purchase a single card for connecting to high-speed Ethernets and for modem use on the road. The modem in the card uses the K56flex technology, but Xircom is including a free upgrade to the international 56-kbps standard when it is released.
Although 10-mbps Ethernet is the most common type of network technology used in business environments, the next-generation 100-mbps standard is already being used on new networks as the need for capacity grows. In addition, for mobile users who may need to connect to various networks, support for both protocols can be particularly valuable.
The card automatically senses the type of network it is connected to, allowing mobile users to plug in to a network with fewer system adjustments. The CreditCard Ethernet 10/100+Modem 56 costs $379 and is available immediately.