It's been said that wireless Token Ring is impossible; my networking teacher reminded us of this often -- the very real technical reasons as to why especially. Considering that was in 2012 I don't think most of the class really understood it. However... deep in my heart, I always knew there was something. While IBM eventually lost interest in Token Ring, other companies like Madge and Proxim carried the torch extending it in unusual ways, Madge even proposing gigabit Token Ring (gosh wouldn't that have been something to behold).
Proxim on the other hand got clever... they implemented their pre-Wi-Fi protocol (later named OpenAir) to communicate to a RangeLAN2 Access Point which would then either be connected to an Ethernet network or a Token Ring network on the other side. While not using the Token Ring protocol for the wireless portion, you're still connecting into a Token Ring network wirelessly, and that's good enough for me! When I discovered these things I was most assuredly screaming and yelling at my ThinkPad -- absolutely nobody talked about them or even said you could connect to a Token Ring network wirelessly (protocols aside). I don't know how many of the Token Ring variants were sold as 99% of the RangeLAN2 units I saw were always Ethernet, but I eventually found a Token Ring one. I think in 2026 they're practically unicorns along with the majority of my Token Ring equipment which I snapped up in 2014ish. Outside of eBay they do exist from some enterprise vendors for a pretty penny.
Madge's solution to the wireless Token Ring problem was to just sell Ethernet APs and then bridge those back to Token Ring (but then that would mean the wireless clients have to be bridged at the Ethernet level -- whereas the RangeLAN2 7530/7531 is already natively Token Ring so you wouldn't need any bridging).
General Info
Take Your Network with You
Install RangeLAN2 Ethernet and Token Ring Access Points (APs) as your wirefree network backbone, and you can access e-mail, the corporate Intranet or other valuable network resources from anywhere in your office or campus. No need to disconnect just because you're moving to the conference room down the hall. True mobile computing is a reality with wirefree solutions from Proxim. And Proxim Access Points make it easy. With comprehensive management features, easy installation, exceptional durability and reliability, and outstanding performance, you can extend your wired network simply and easily.
Simple to Configure, Manage and Use
A comprehensive suite of software tools means worry-free installation and management of your wirefree network. The Proxim Site Survey tool shows the coverage of each Access Point, so you install only the infrastructure you need. After installation, manage your wirefree network using a variety of tools you're already familiar with - SNMP agents that work with your existing enterprise management platforms, or the simple web-based graphical RangeLAN2 ManagerTM that allows you to see the entire wirefree network and client traffic for each Access Point. And should you need to, you can even change configuration parameters or upgrade software for the entire wirefree infrastructure with a single click of the mouse.
Designed for Mobile Computing
Wirefree networking is all about the freedom to roam. Proxim RangeLAN2 APs give your mobile users seamless connectivity to the network as they move about the building or campus. Unlike other solutions, there are no annoying pauses in applications or the need to reconfigure as you move from place to place. Proxim PC Cards automatically sense the best connection and switch seamlessly to it with no user interruption. And that connection lasts all day long with Marathon? power management, the industry's lowest power consumption for any wireless PC Card. And only Proxim drivers have been proven robust enough to be built in to Microsoft Windows CE? Professional Edition operating system. So you just plug-in and go!
Wirefree Connectivity for Almost Any Device
We understand that it's not just laptops you'd like to connect to the network. Printers, barcode scanners, industrial equipment, vehicles - almost anything that can move or be moved has a network connection these days. Proxim gives you the widest range of wirefree client connectivity options. Not just PC Cards for laptops, but also PCI adapters for desktops, Ethernet adapters for workstations, Apple or any other 10BaseT-enabled device and RS-232 adapters for industrial and manufacturing equipment. And OpenAir? compatibility means that you have the widest range of interoperable solutions for almost any environment. Because, after all, the need for wirefree connectivity doesn't end in the front office.
Access for Authorized Users Only
All RangeLAN2 APs include multiple security levels so only authorized users can access the network - frequency hopping spread spectrum signaling, synchronization, authentication and authorized user lists. Frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) technology was originally used by military organizations because of its inherent advantage against detection and decoding. Synchronization is a unique quality of FHSS systems that gives it an inherent advantage over other spread spectrum systems. Unlike other spread spectrum systems, synchronization means eavesdropping is impossible without a properly 'tuned' radio. Client authentication and authorized user lists further enhance the security properties of your network.
Downloads
RangeLAN2 754x Extension Point and 753x Token Ring AP
| Release | Date | Supported Product(s) | Firmware | MIB | Readme |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2-B5 | Sep. 23, 1999 | 7530 and 7531 | 30image.exe | 7530mib.exe | trapreadme.txt |
| 1.1-B2 | Sep. 23, 1999 | 7540 and 7541 | 7540img.zip | 7540mib.exe |
RangeLAN2 Client Cards -- Models: 7100 (ISA), 7110 (PCI), 7200 (2-piece PCMCIA), 7400 and 7420 (PCMCIA), and 7410 (PCMCIA for CE devices)
| Release | Date | Supported Product(s) | OS | Readme | Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5-B1 | Dec. 31, 2000 | 7200, 7400, 7410, and 7420 | DOS | dospcm.zip | |
| 3.5-B1 | Jul. 30, 1999 | 7100 | DOS | dosisa.zip | |
| 2.2-B8p | Jul. 30, 1999 | 7400, 7410, and 7420 | Compaq iPAQ H3000 Series | readme_ce_ipaq.txt | cf_ipaq_pc_22b8p.zip |
| 2.0-PB1 | Nov. 30, 2000 | 7400, 7410, and 7420 | Windows CE 2.11, 2.12 | SA1100: SA2-0PB1.EXE SH3: S32-0PB1.EXE SH4: S42-0PB1.EXE MIPS: MI2-0PB1.EXE |
|
| 1.7-B24 | Jan. 19, 2001 | 7110 and 7420 | Windows NT | rl2_nt_1_7.exe | |
| 1.7-B22 | Jan. 19, 2001 | 7110 and 7420 | Windows 2000 | RL2_2K_1_7.exe | |
| 1.7-B21 | Feb. 15, 2001 | 7110 and 7420 | Windows 95, 98 SE, and 98 ME | README_RL2_958_1_7_rev2.txt | rl2_958_1_7.exe |
| 1.4-B4 | Jun. 15, 2000 | 7100, 7200, 7400, and 7420 | Windows 2000 | RL2W2KB4.exe | |
| 1.4-B0 | Jan. 19, 2001 | 7100, 7200, 7400, and 7420 | Windows 95 and 98 | (download corrupted) | RL2WIN951_4.exe |
| 1.3-B5 | Jan. 19, 2001 | 7100, 7200, 7400 | Windows NT | rl2nt1_3.exe |
Note: I am not listing all of the RangeLAN2 series of drivers here, this page purely focusing on the Token Ring and essential products for that. If you want the full RangeLAN2 bundle that also includes the Ethernet, serial, and OEM products, feel free to download it:
Model Differences
The differences between the model numbers depend on the features. Both the Token Ring and Ethernet APs ending in '1' are the "XR" models that have a longer range and boost, but are not supported in countries... well... at least in 1997.
| Model | Protocol | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 7530 RL2 Token Ring AP, 100mW | Token Ring | Standard range |
| 7531 RL2 Token Ring AP XR, 500mW | Token Ring | Extended range, "XR" is not compliant in all countries |
| 7510 RL2 Ethernet AP, 100mW | Ethernet | Standard range, stripped down model with less management features |
| 7520 RL2 Ethernet AP, 100mW | Ethernet | Standard range |
| 7521 RL2 Ethernet AP XR, 500mW | Ethernet | Extended range, "XR" is not compliant in all countries |
The Method
My ultimate goal with this is being set up in the following manner:
Clients loaded with RangeLAN2 cards → connect to Token Ring Access Point → bridged through IBM 2210 to Ethernet → ultimately exit through to the internet.
Using this process, in theory you can connect from any machine bridged wirelessly from Token Ring to Ethernet and access the internet. Token Ring does have larger frames than Ethernet, so I am curious how this rather convoluted setup would operate once I have it completed. MRS may need substantial configuration to handle the rings and frame adjustment.
Monkey Business
While searching for the drivers and information, I came across a few anomalies that might be worth bringing up here in the event it causes grief or confusion for other travellers.
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STOP! Well... I have all of the drivers listed above (and more), so enjoy! Leech away! It's mildly egregious as they don't own the data they wish to gatekeep, it's the property of Proxim. And no, I did not download 'their' package: 1) I don't have access, 2) it looks like it's incomplete & possibly outdated if it's not revision 2.0-PB1, 3) it's actually mislabeled as it's the RangeLAN2 7420 driver, "7422" is just a specific product configuration subset. See for yourself:
RangeLAN2 7422 is a RangeLAN2 7420 PC Card that ships with a snap-on antenna.
Hopefully that helps. The Proxim product names and sub models are a little bit confusing to be honest... I only know them as well as I do (now) after spending time researching the full catalogue to understand it. Which... I am sure most people don't care about. But this is serious business! I will gladly read mountains of Proxim product catalogues just to achieve the dream of Wireless Token Ring (WTR). :P