PCTel's Segue Soft Access Point Module (SAM) is a clever piece of software that turns any LAN-connected PC into a Wi-Fi wireless access point. Given the low price of Wi-Fi APs (typically $60 or less), SAM might not appear to make economic sense. But SAM's price is even lower: Several motherboard and wireless chipset makers have purchased licenses to include SAM with their products, making SAM effectively free to end users. And for setting up a temporary AP in a hotel room, meeting room, or the like, it's a darn clever solution.

SAM operates by creating a bridge between a wired LAN connection and a compatible Wi-Fi card installed in the same PC. Installation is extremely simple and takes only a few minutes. Once SAM is installed, your PC operates just like a conventional wireless AP, complete with WEP security. The SAM program resides in the System tray; clicking on the tray icon displays the SAM status screen where you can change options and view a list of connected wireless clients.

We tested SAM on a Sony VAIO notebook using an Ethernet LAN connection and a Netgear Wi-Fi card. We were able to connect to the SAM access point with no problems using a variety of wireless LAN clients, in- cluding a Wi-Fi-equipped TiVo.

SAM can be a viable, inexpensive alternative to a conventional access point for some users, but it's not for everyone. First, the PC must be on in order for SAM to operate. Given the huge power consumption differential between a conventional wireless AP and a desktop PC, the AP may be cheaper to operate in the long run. Second, the effective operating range of the SAM AP isn't as good as a standalone AP's. Finally, since SAM is software-based, it places a small but measurable load on the host computer's CPU. On our 1-GHz Pentium III test system, SAM used 3 to 10 percent of the CPU cycles with no clients connected and up to 20 percent with a single, active wireless client.

Despite such drawbacks, SAM is an interesting tool for setting up a temporary wireless LAN or for using wherever you need to create a wireless LAN with minimal effort and expense.