[September 10, 2001]

Avaya Provides Platform For Migration To 5 Ghz Wireless LANs

Avaya Inc. announced the Avaya Wireless Access Point-3 (AP-3). It is designed to be ready to deliver the next generation of wireless LANs (5 Ghz wireless) and all of the mobility and smooth operation of today's 2.4 Ghz wireless.

The Avaya Wireless AP-3's powerful processor and twin 32-bit CardBus slot architecture provide a smooth migration path to next-generation 802.11a wireless networks that operate in the 5 GHz range with a bandwidth of up to 54 Mbps. The AP-3's twin-slot architecture allows IT managers to gradually migrate from one standard to another, protecting their existing wireless network investment. Today, they can install 11 Mbps, 802.11b radios in the AP-3 access points. As the new 802.11a radios become available, they can simply pop out one or both of the 802.11b radios and replace them with new 802.11a radios. The AP-3 access point can operate with an 802.11b radio in one slot and an 802.11a radio in the second slot, and this allows the enterprise to gracefully move between the two technologies at their own pace.

The AP-3 Access Point provides enhanced security and network management. The AP-3 supports the new 802.1.x network security standard, which provides user based-authentication and automatically creates and distributes new encryption keys on a regular basis. End users with 802.1x functionality (like Windows XP clients) can be authenticated by a RADIUS server and supplied with a WEP security key. Important network management features include the ability to remotely configure and manage the entire wireless network via a web browser or standard SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) management tools. The AP-3 also includes a new Wireless Distribution System (WDS) that enables a single radio in the AP-III to act as a repeater station or wireless bridge to expand an existing network across a facility and between buildings. The AP-3 is also supported by Windows XP.

The AP-3 is one of the most recent highlights of the Avaya-Agere partnership. Agere Systems provides wireless local area networking technology for Avaya. Avaya and Agere cooperate closely to deliver the highest value wireless LAN's to enterprise customers. Large, medium and small corporations, schools, colleges, universities, and companies in all types of industries are served by Avaya with the AP-3 and other Avaya Wireless solutions.

"Our customers are asking for ever increasing value within their wireless networks to accommodate changing business requirements. Customers want increased security, scalability, performance, and manageability and improved ROI from their wireless LANs. Today, our new Avaya Wireless portfolio -- combined with our existing wireless family and our other data networking solutions -- allows us to provide them the right solution and meet their demands for increased value. The AP-3 enables us to deliver the scalability and improved performance. Our VPN over wireless and integrated network management solutions enable Avaya to deliver the security and manageability customers want" said Robert Maguire, wireless solutions marketing manager for Avaya's MultiService Networking Infrastructure Group.

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