Another presentation I heard while attending the local area technology director/coordinator meeting was by David Bentner of Aruba Networks.
At first, I was a bit standoffish of what I perceived to by a competitor to the Cisco equipment I currently purchase, install, and utilize in our network, but he said something that drew me in…
"You can configure all of the wireless access points from a single location…"
What? You mean that if one wireless access point is compromised that we do not have to reconfigure every access point in the network? And what if someone stole one of those Cisco AiroNet access points that we would have to change all of the security settings for the entire network (not to mention the costs of replacement for the stolen equipment). Apparently, with the Aruba wireless set-up, the access control information is stored on a centralized wireless LAN controller. If someone were to breech the security of the wireless network then the reconfiguration of every wireless access point could be done in a matter of minutes. Not only that, the "thin" access points (as they call them) are a fraction of the cost of a Cisco model.
They can transmit multiple SSIDs creating guest access areas throughout your network that is sectioned off onto separate VLANs. Additionally the guest access could only last for certain times of the day.
Aruba claims to have built a wireless technology that was built with mobility in mind. They work to provide the following five basic services:
- Identify the user
- Classify the traffic
- Control access per user
- Optimize the air
- Follow the user
In light of the fifth point - they even have access points that you can send home with your students/employees that would allow them to work at home with the same network resources they would have at school.
Aruba seems to have a product that addresses the weaknesses of many of the other companies out there. David also showed us different "research" that showed the reliability of their equipment. I'm not completely sold here….but my interest is definitely peaked!
1 comments:
Brian,
I am glad you have discovered the world of managed wireless. Most managed wireless APs split the access point's MAC layer between the actual AP and the controller that it is connected to on the network, leaving the latency sensitive functions on the AP and the management of that AP (many APs) on the controller.
This type of AP is commonly called a "lightweight" or "Fit" AP compared to the original stand-alone "FAT" AP.
There are many advantages to managed wireless systems and you point out a few.
Aruba competes against Cisco, Trapeze, Meru Networks, D-Link, 3Com and others. Cisco bought a company called Airespace to add managed wireless capability to the classic, FAT AP approach.
If budget is tight, be sure to include D-Link managed wireless system in your evaluation. Solid WLAN service at a very aggressive price.
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