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Microsoft Picks Aruba for WLAN
Aruba Networks was selected by Microsoft to deploy next-gen networking equipment for the world's largest next-gen wireless LAN (WLAN).
BY JOHANNE TORRES, TMCnet VoIP Minute Watch Columnist
Weve got big news from Sunnyvale, CA-based Aruba Networks today. The company announced it was selected by Microsoft in order to deploy next-gen networking equipment for what the companies say it could be the world's largest next-gen wireless LAN (WLAN). The deployment would serve over 25,000 simultaneous users each day across more than 60 countries around the world.
The companies ambitious project will be deployed in 277 buildings covering more than 17 million square feet. The deal asks for Microsoft new WLAN be constructed using Arubas mobility controllers, mobility software and some 5,000 ultra-thin Aruba wireless access points.
Aruba explained that the companys enterprise-wide mobility system will provide Microsoft a single, flexible and highly secure environment for all types of users and devices. It will be set up to also enable the software giant to centrally control and secure wireless users and devices anywhere while providing combined voice and data communications.
"Microsoft is the ultimate enterprise, looking for a better way to secure, manage and scale their wireless environment. They found what they were looking for in Aruba," said Don LeBeau, president and CEO of Aruba Networks. "Our ability to uniquely tie security, mobility and user management together in one place makes us the ideal choice for large companies, like Microsoft, looking to easily enable mobility across their business."
Aruba says that its wireless LAN infrastructure will help Microsoft reduce, by two orders of magnitude, the amount of equipment needed to be managed. The new infrastructure will also eliminate the need for Microsoft to deploy separate overlay networks for voice-over-wireless, guest services, RF security and wireless location services.
"The advancements in the wireless space since Microsoft Corporation first implemented our global wireless network in 1999 are truly exciting," said Sunjeev Pandey, senior director of Microsoft IT. "We are pleased to be partnering with Aruba in the upgrade of Microsoft's next-generation wireless LAN as we take that next step forward in driving innovation in upcoming Microsoft products. This partnership will allow Microsoft to leverage a cutting edge wireless and mobility platform that provides us the scalability, performance and security that our environment demands."
Aruba and Microsoft have been working together for quite sometime. Arubas mobility products were selected by the software giant after extensive technical evaluation of security, scalability, performance and functionality.
The new deal will allow Aruba to work with Microsoft to develop and test future software products to ensure they operate simply and easily over wireless networks. "One of the challenges with large-scale enterprise wireless deployments is client control," said Keerti Melkote, co-founder and vice president of product management for Aruba Networks. "Aruba excels at controlling RF and managing mobile users. But for truly, predictable wireless service, client devices must be integrated into the mobility domain. We are joining forces with Microsoft to make clients work more effectively with wireless LANs from both an RF and security perspective."
Aruba Networks, Inc.
www.arubanetworks.com
Microsoft Corporation
www.microsoft.com
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Johanne Torres is contributing editor for TMCnet. To see more articles by Johanne Torres, please visit:
http://www.tmcnet.com/tmcnet/columnists/columnist.aspx?id=100006&nm=Johanne%
20Torres
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