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Marvell's new Wi-Fi chip does Bluetooth; WLAN sales down in Q2; 300,000 Draft-N products shipped in same time frame; and more.
(www.wi-fiplanet.com Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)
Marvell's newest Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g) chip is also a Bluetooth 2.0 chip (upgradeable to 2.1). Designed for handsets, media players and other low-power consumer platforms, the 88W8688 has an overall size of less than 80 cubic millimeters. It's sampling now to vendors.
Synergy Research Group says that overall WLAN market worldwide took a dip in the second quarter of 2006, by 3% from the first quarter. But overall, it was up 14% compared to Q2 of 2005. Enterprise sales, as usual lead by Cisco (down 4% from Q1), were flat. Consumer/SOHO sales of Wi-Fi equipment was down 4%, lead by Linksys (a Cisco subsidiary) which was down 2% quarter-to-quarter. They note that Q2 precedes back-to-school and holiday purchases, so rebound by Q3 is a possibility.
In-Stat says that in Q2, at least 300,000 routers and client cards shipped supporting Draft-N (the 1.0 draft of the 802.11n standard). The researchers say users who bought them will find the transition to the final 11n "bumpier" than it was for the people who bought early 11g products before that standard was finalized. They expect 11n chips to be only 3.6% of the WLAN chips shipped in 2006, but that will grow 20% next year even though the latest reports say the 11n standard won't be finalized until 2008.
August 16, 2006
A few naughty vendors are leaking the name of the Wi-Fi Alliance's upcoming program for easily setting up Wi-Fi network security, so the Alliance is going to spill the beans on the official name: Wi-Fi Protected Setup . (The code name was "Simple Config.") This doesn't replace 802.11i/WPA2 or anything else -- it will just make those standards easier to set up for consumers; Wi-Fi Protected Setup is not really going to help enterprise IT people. Alliance research shows 43% of users found it " moderately to very difficult" to set up security (which, honestly, seems low). How exactly it will perform its duties will remain under wraps for now. Frank Hanzlik, managing director of the Alliance, told Wi-Fi Planet today that "the details of the program and the specifics are not cooked enough." Vendors with their own software or hardware based 'one-button setup' of security, like Buffalo, Broadcom, Atheros, have all been involved in the creation of Wi-Fi Protected Setup. With luck, it might show up in products before the holidays.
Rumors are rampant that T-Mobile will launch a service in Seattle as soon as September 12 using Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA), which would allow hand-off of cellular GSM calls to voice over Wi-Fi with a phone that supports both. With thousands of hotspots, T-Mobile users could theoretically walk off the street while on the phone, enter Starbucks, trip over to the Wi-Fi network while still talking (freeing up cell tower space for other calls while T-Mobile still gets money for the minutes used). The focus at first is likely to be home users, who can use their phone for cell calls or to make VoWi-Fi calls over their own home network, without needing a separate service like Skype which would entail getting a separate phone number. Likely phone candidate for the trial is the Samsung T709. via GigaOm
Aruba Networks will be performing for the military. Through a deal with strategic partner General Dynamics, Aruba's WLAN system will be available through the U.S. Air Force Network Centric Solutions (NETCENTS) indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. Air Force, Department of Defense (DoD) and other government agencies can all get FIPS-certified Aruba equipment through GD.
August 15, 2006
Crutchfield's catalog leaked info about the Sirius Stilletto 100, a new portable unit that will not only stream Sirius satellite radio from satellites, but can also do it via Wi-Fi at home or hotspots. Think of it as TiVo for satellite radio, as it will also record 100 hours of audio programming. It will also play WMA and MP3 files of your choice, ripped by you or pulled from subscription services supporting the Microsoft PlaysForSure DRM. Price will be $400. Docking stations sold separately. via Gizmodo
WildPackets is releasing a new version of its spectrum analysis software in the next 30 days. OmniSpectrum 3.0 (based on tech from Cognio ) runs on Windows laptops and has additional graphical displays for showing interference, with a per-channel showing of what the sources are. The software comes with a CardBus PC Card supporting 802.11a/b/g and sells for $3,995.
Cisco Systems has received Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 Level 2 validation of its wireless security. This means a Cisco Unified Wireless Network is now okay for use by parties in the Department of Defense. The company's centralized WLAN is in the process of getting Common Criteria certification from National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP), which means it would be compliant with DoD Directive 8100.2 by 2007. 8100.2 compliance is the final step required for all off-the-shelf products used by DoD.
Hawking Technologies loves to dish it has sold a dish antenna for laptop Wi-Fi for a while. Now, it offers the Hi-Gain 8dBi WiFi Directional Dish Antenna (model HAI8DD , $49) that works with APs, bridges and adapters. It can be wall-mounted or put on a desktop. It comes with an RP-SMA connector and the Hawking HACST (SMA to TNC) adapter to connect not just to Hawking equipment, but also to other third-party wireless devices.
AnchorFree 's wiPod application, which puts a list of AnchorFree's 10,000 free-to-access hotspots on the Apple iPod, is now available -- for free, of course, though you have to become a member of the AnchorFree online community. Once installed, the directory can be found in the Notes section of the iPod OS, under "Extras".
All the major players in the Wi-Fi-based RFID/asset tagging world are working on something this week: Ekahau is working with St. Croix Systems on a combo solution for health care markets, integrating the former's real-time location system (RTLS) with the Capital Asset Lifecycle Management software from St. Croix. Again focusing on hospitals and health care, PanGo Networks is working with Versus Technology to combine the latter's IR/RFID tracking system with the PanGo software, which the Versus platform will in turn use to track items over a Wi-Fi infrastructure. AeroScout is updating features on its Wi-Fi-based T2 Tag, which it calls "unique and unparalleled in the market." They include an optional temperature monitor used for remote alerts, and a real-time motion sensor. Using the motion sensor can also help push battery life in the tag to over four years. The tags also are getting call buttons and three different-colored LED lights. The tags have Electromagnetic Compatibility Certification to signify they're safe to use around people.
August 10, 2006
BelAir Networks has added support for the licensed 4.9GHz spectrum (reserved for first responders) to its products. A BelAir multi-radio node can be used with Wi-Fi for standard citizen access and 4.9GHz for cops and fire and EMS, while also providing a backhaul mesh network that precludes the need for Ethernet or fiber. BelAir now has products with a single radio (50C), dual radios (100), four radios (200) and the new six-radio BelAir300 Converged Multi-Service Wireless Node that can include cellular, Wi-Fi and wireless mesh.
The HypeWifi Advertising Platform will serve up targeted advertising to hotspot users, based not just on location but also demographics. End users are given marketing questions (nothing personal, they promise) to answer before can log in to the free Internet access. HypeWifi is a provider of hotspot services in the Houston, Texas area, and will, naturally, launch the platform at those locations.
Frost & Sullivan forecasts a rosy picture for WLAN chipsets. They think the $910 million in revenue earned in 2005 will more than double, to $2.288 billion by 2009. (They're equally bullish on the assisted global positioning system (A-GPS) chipset market.) Reasons for the continued WLAN chip growth include, among other things, the coming of 802.11n as a standard and the expected move of Wi-Fi into consumer electronics of all shapes and sizes.
Daewoo Electronics will be building Wi-Fi into its next generation set-top box (STB), but not just any Wi-Fi 802.11n-draft compliant wireless. It will do this with the WLANPlus chip from Israel's Metalink . The company plans to show the technology off at the IFA show in Berlin, Germany in September.
In case you were worried about that Wi-Fi card driver exploit that was recently pointed out at the Black Hat conference, vendors of wireless intrusion prevention systems like AirTight Networks and Network Chemistry want you to know that there's no reason to worry... if you own and run their products, you're protected.
August 8, 2006
Sony's Mylo ("my life online") is a new phone-sized handheld communicator that looks a lot like the PSP but doesn't play games. Instead, it uses open Wi-Fi (11b) networks for sending instant messages via Google Talk, Skype or Yahoo! Messenger accounts all free, no monthly fees involved. It can handle voice-over IP calls using Skype as well and Skype is allowing calls from the SkypeOut service to any phone in the U.S. or Canada for free (usually, it's only free from Skype user to Skype user), at least for a while, after which you'll just pay for SkypeOut minutes. The Mylo has a 2.4-inch color screen for browsing JPEG photos, reading emails (using Yahoo! Mail or Gmail) and Web surfing, or watching movies in MPEG-4 format. It's an MP3/WMA player (via a built-in speaker or headphones), and will play the ATRAC audio format that Sony likes but no one else does. That 1GB of flash memory will probably fill up fast, but you can add more with Memory Sticks. The keyboard is revealed when the top of the Mylo slides upward. Put it close to another Mylo, and they seek each other out for an ad-hoc Wi-Fi connection so you can IM or share music and photos. It comes in black or white, and has a built-in database provided by JiWire of 20,000+ hotspots in the United States that you can use to get Mylo online. The battery supposedly runs for 45 hours of music playback, seven hours when online, or three hours when talking with Skype. Microphone, headphones, USB cable and a neoprene case are all included. All that (but no camera?!) for $350 at SonyStyle and retail dealers starting in September.
Wavion made a splash in May saying mesh networks won't work for cities, and that you gotta use MIMO-like characteristics (such as taking advantage of multi-path interference). Now the details are out on their product that will do just that. Each ruggedized WS410 access point will have six antennas inside. It can mount on buildings or poles, and has numerous power options such as standard AC, Power over Ethernet, or a power tap when on a light pole. It can even send out power to another device that works with it, such as a backhaul radio or a camera. Wavion wants to license out the technology, but will sell the WS410 itself. The company admits the cost is higher than any mesh radio system per node, but says you buy so few that the return on investment is high from the get-go for any citywide deployment. They'll ship in volume by the end of August.
AirMagnet's new StreetWise will come in three versions, all suited to make sure mobile workers are practicing good security. There's a personal, freeware version any user can download for free and install on a Windows laptop to set their own security parameters; the regular StreetWise gives admins control over laptops in the enterprise when users install a pre-configured version of the software with the security policy in place; and the full central version lets administrators push policies down to the end user. StreetWise doesn't do advanced things like force you to upgrade the OS or anti-virus definitions. It's all about the wireless security. It can limit hardware used for Wi-Fi connections (no swapping cards); adapt to user locations so you have different policies for work, home and hotspots; turn on or off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or infrared; and prevent simultaneous use of wired and wireless connections. The software meets various government criteria (such as FIPS 140-2) and even has US Army TIC approval. Cost for the regular version is $22 per seat, or $36 per seat for the centrally managed version. AirMagnet says there's been a delay and the freeware version, at least, won't debut until next week.
Socket Communications says the Go Wi-Fi! P300 802.11g SDIO card (model WL6217-664) for devices running the Windows Mobile OS (2003/2003SE or 5) is ready (though not for sale on their site as of today). It uses a free version of the Socket Wi-Fi Companion for the interface (it usually costs $25 for just the software) and supports 802.1X authentication with WEP/WPA encryption, runs on screens both landscape and square, and sells for $99 MSRP. Supported devices will eventually be listed online.
It didn't take long for Broadcom to find another company to build in its Draft-N Intensi-Fi chips (Dell was the first to offer the option). Acer's new Ferrari 1000 ultra-portable notebooks with Acer's InviLink Nplify mobile wireless technology will be powered by the Intensi-Fi. It also uses Broadcom's Blutonium Bluetooth 2.0 wireless and Gigabit Ethernet.
Atheros won't long be behind with the laptop wins for Draft-N technology. Its AR5008 chip using the 1.0 draft of 802.11n tech they call XSPAN is now running on a mini PCI Express (PCIe) card reference design. The chipmaker says the design "is the first in the industry to achieve PCIe compatibility certification," and the chip has the same certification as well. Atheros also has PCIe cards for 802.11b/g and dual-band a/b/g.
August 4, 2006
Verizon Wireless and Novatel Wireless are trumpeting the availability of the WWAN PCI ExpressCard/34 (model V640) which supports the Verizon EV-DO network called BroadbandAccess. It works in ExpressCard/34 (which are 34 millimeters wide) and ExpressCard/54 (54 mm wide) slots on laptops. The card comes with Verizon Wireless' VZAccess Manager software for setting preferences, and will fall back to working with the Verizon NationalAccess network if EV-DO is not in the area.
AirDefense has upgraded its Mobile product to version 4.0. It has a new analysis engine based on the engine found in AirDefense Enterprise, which comes with 100 alarms and notification types (including e-mail and Syslog messages). The software (which runs on Windows 2000/XP) synchronizes with the Enterprise version for scanning areas that may be slightly out of the usual range. New location tracking can hone in on a device by triangulating using the device's own signal strength. The software can now come with a hardware kit that includes a dual-band 802.11a/b/g card with external antenna connectors for the included omni (with 3dBi for 2.4GHz and 5dBi for 5GHz bands), and two 7dBi directional patch antennas (one each for each unlicensed radio band). With the hardware, Mobile 4.0 retails for $1,695.
Vivato lives? The Web site for the company, which shut down operations in December 2005 , now proclaims "Vivato is back! The acquisition of Vivato is now complete. The same great technology that Vivato brought to the marketplace is being reintroduced to our partners and customers." Now called Vivato Networks, the company will continue to sell the entire line of 802.11b and 11g outdoor and indoor base stations, plus AP/bridges for outdoors and indoors.
August 1, 2006
Draft-N products aren't just for home networks any more. As promised, Linksys has announced its line of products running the 1.0 draft specification for 802.11n that are geared toward small businesses. The line-up will consist of a $169 access point (model WAP4400N) and $119 PC Card (WPC4400N), both available now, as well as a $229 VPN-capable router (WRVS4400N) coming in September. The big difference between these products and the consumer products is support for Gigabit Ethernet on the switch ports, WMM-based Quality of Service for voice and video, Power over Ethernet (PoE), an intrusion prevention system created by Linksys, IPsec tunnel support in the router, and a different look. They'll only be available from distributors and value-added resellers (VARs).
AirMagnet says it's now shipping its AirMagnet VoFi Analyzer software for analysis of Voice over WLAN networks. AT&T is already using it in performance labs. Calls are checked from the PBX all the way to the wireless client, as the software can integrate with the IP-PBX or call manager software. The software's MSRP is $17,500, plus $7,500 for the call manager integration. The company is also offering a free white paper called " The Evolution of Vo-Fi: Voice over IP over Wireless LAN ." The company also recently passed the 5,000 customer mark.
You know how no one ever turns on security for their home Wi-Fi network? Well, that's not the case, apparently. JupiterResearch found that 60% of home networks have it turned on. It's covered in the report, "Home Wi-Fi Security: Understanding Consumer Behavior and Impact on Wi-Fi Adoption." Associate analyst Ina Sebastian says security is still the biggest concern, but that the advent of WPA makes things easier to set up for consumers. 29% of respondents have also logged onto a stranger's open network while traveling. Only 12% would get on their own neighbor's network.
After a few years of waiting, the CWNE (Certified Wireless Network Expert) Program is now available. This is the highest level available of the program, and "tests the candidate's expert level knowledge of advanced topics surrounding QoS, Voice over Wi-Fi and advanced WLAN design," according to a company announcement. Anyone who has or gets a CWNA, CWSP or CWAP certification before the end of this year can apply for the CWNE; after January 2, 2007, you'll have to pass the PW0-300 exam to get the certification, which is valid until you die. The official study guide is from the IEEE.
The ZigBee Alliance says 10,000 developer's kits have been shipped by Alliance members, and that it has certified 13 platforms as ZigBee compliant. The latest is from RadioPulse. The ZigBee specification has been downloaded over 29,000 times in the last year; they say it s the third most downloaded IEEE 802 standard (it's based on 802.15.4). All of that is meant to say that ZigBee should be coming out strong, soon.
Firetide's new software for its mesh equipment (version 3.3) is, the company claims, better suited to support the triple play (video, voice, and data all at once). Flow-based routing will help bring throughput up to 32 Mbps; Quality of Service (QoS) for video and voice prioritization is expanded; there's now mobility as clients roam from mesh node to mesh node; and they've finally added full WPA2 encryption support. 3.3 comes with new Firetide products, and is a free download for current customers.
Colubris is the tenth and latest company to get certification from SpectraLink's VIEW (Voice Interoperability for Enterprise Wireless) program, which started a year ago. The tests confirm interoperability between Colubris hardware and SpectraLink VoIP phones. Other companies with VIEW certification include 3Com, Alcatel, Aruba, Cisco Systems, Extreme Networks, Nortel, Siemens, Symbol Technologies and Trapeze Networks.
July 28, 2006
Slim Devices says the new Transporter networkable audio system will kill the CD with its audio quality. It plays Internet radio stations, and works with the Pandora online music service and the Rhapsody online music store. It connects via 10/100 Ethernet or 802.11g to your network, and plays back music in WAV, AIFF, MP3, WMA and FLAC formats. All that and more for just $1,999. The product will start shipping in September.
Hawking Technologies says the new, compact Net-Vision Wireless-G Network Camera (model HNC290G ) is the first network cam to have automatic router configuration (it uses UPnP) and Web address (URL) setup, with a wizard that helps set up a static Web address for viewing the video stream online. It supports 802.11g and also Ethernet, streaming video at 30 frames per second. It will sell for $130 MSRP starting in August.
Strategy Analytics says more home wireless networks will mean more cool home network wireless toys. In the next five years, consumers will buy 950 million devices games, music players and TVs that connect with Wi-Fi or similar tech, almost one-third of them to be purchased in 2010 alone. The firm's Global Market Forecast covers devices and talks about the transition from 11g Wi-Fi to the MIMO/802.11n Wi-Fi of the future, expecting 11n devices to sell 134 million units by 2010.
July 25, 2006
Wi-Fi can help you in the public restroom -- or at least keep your eyeballs occupied. Impressionaire , maker of public washroom advertising systems, will soon use the Airborne Wireless Ethernet Bridge from Quatech of Hudson, Ohio, to tie its systems into the central server for the commercials and PSAs it runs no more running Ethernet to the water closet. The ads appear on a 12-inch flat screen display built into the wall-mounted hand dryers. The Quatech products reportedly can handle extremes of temperature (-40 to 85 degrees Celsius) as well as extra tolerance for shock and vibration caused by the dryers.
TechWorld reports that the United Kingdom telecom regulator Ofcom is thinking about allowing power limits on 2.4GHz band equipment like 802.11b/g Wi-Fi products to get a 10x increase. The increase would apply to 5.8GHz licensed band fixed wireless products as well. It would allow products that are currently limited to 100mW to operate at 10 watts, beyond the limits of most EU countries and the U.S (which is limited to 4 watt output for 2.4 GHz). This would let rural providers put out a stronger Wi-Fi signal to customers, meaning less equipment would have to be installed -- but it might necessitate "light licenses" for such products.
JiWire is not content to provide just a hotspot directory and software to secure your hotspot connections. The company has launched a Hotspot Advertising Network that would run on login screens and even during your surfing at the hotspot, providing eyeballs (again with the eyeballs...) to advertisers. Sony and Toshiba are the first companies putting ads on the network, and nine hotspot providers have joined so far to show the ads. JiWire's recent survey of hotspot users pegged them as having high incomes, and many plan to purchase mobile computing devices soon, making them particularly attractive to the advertisers. The network can push out geographic or even location-specific ads and track performance. Ads can range from those appearing during login and confirmation, to pop-ups, to a graphic frame that stays up full-time (which JiWire hopes will appeal to those with free hotspot services).
PanGo Networks has upgraded its Real-Time Locating System (RTLS) software, the PanOS Platform and PanGo Locator, to version 4.0. The software is used for asset tracking and other positioning-related functions. New to 4.0 are the revised user interface, better integration with third-party products, and more event-based alerts.
It's been a while since a new Wi-Fi signal locator came out, and it's nice to see the latest one inside something like a pen. The problem with the $19 Informatica Wi-Fi Pen with LED Beam is that it's limited to 50 feet in range -- and it doesn't tell you much (it just lights up green, yellow or red, depending on the signal strength).
July 20, 2006
CIO and ITWorldCanada.com report that the Toronto Board of Health is going to make sure Wi-Fi is safe for citizens before Toronto Hydro Telecom gets to build out service in the downtown area. At least, they'll look at existing data -- they don't plan do any field testing themselves. This is more of an update to a 1999 look at how RF effects humans, conducted when cellular signals and phones made the populace nervous, and the results were to limit RF electromagnetic fields to 100 times below the Health Canada guidelines. One Toronto Public Health spokesman says that "initial indications are that Toronto Hydro s Wi-Fi RF would be below our recommended level."
We missed this when writing about Broadcom's Draft-N chips being made available to buyers of Dell's consumer laptops : the company says it has already sold one million of the Intensi-Fi chips that support the 1.0 draft of the 802.11n spec, in just four months.
July 19, 2006
AirDefense says corporations should be wary of employees using municipal wireless networks (just like they should be wary of using any public access that could expose enterprise data). The difference is that the corporations may be in a space overrun by the "unsecured and pervasive Wi-Fi offered by a growing number of cities across the country," according to Dr. Amit Sinha, AirDefense's CTO. Their suggested solutions are to think defensively, install more firewalls and VPNs, keep track of what laptops and other devices are doing, specify that only approved devices can get on the network, don't allow employees to use the muni Wi-Fi, and oh, yeah, buy security software. They suggest starting with the free AirDefense Personal Lite.
Fortress Technologies has released a secure wireless access point/ bridge/security gateway combo product, the ES520 , geared toward national security/defense customers who need quick-to-deploy networks supporting voice, video and data. It was built with switch technology it acquired from the long-dead Legra Systems. They say it has a range of 32 miles, but is easy to configure and portable at only 3.5 pounds. Pricing wasn't announced, but the unit will be available through Fortress resellers and Government Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) vehicles.
Atheros is sampling new chips for Wi-Fi handsets. The AR6101 is part of Atheros' Radio-on-Chip for Mobile (ROCm) family, and comes in a version for 802.11g and another supporting dual-band 11a/g as well as full 802.11e/WMM Quality of Service, energy savings, integration of major handset functions, and even future support for the Wi-Fi Alliance's planed "Simple Config" standard for setting up easy encryption a standard still unannounced and in the works.
Tucson, Arizona-based Cell Wireless has released a handset called the Wi-Fi Cell VoIP phone for making calls on any open Wi-Fi network, at home, office or hotspot. It works over the company's service, so calls can be made from member to member for free.
Infonetics says the market for Wi-Fi phones went up 116% from 2004 to 2005, for a total of $125.5 million worldwide, and will double again this year. It should almost triple every year, reaching $3.7 billion by 2009. That includes both enterprises, where SpectraLink leads the way with phones, and in homes where Netgear, Linksys and D-Link all have products out or on the way. All of that will pale next to dual-mode cellular/Wi-Fi handsets; they'll see the strongest growth in the Asia Pacific region.
Sony's new CPF-IX001 wireless streaming music player has micro-speakers in it. It uses 802.11b/g to talk with your router/access point, so it can access music files stored on various home PCs (it will also work over powerlines, moving network signals and electricity over the same line). It will play music from services like Windows Media, iTunes, and of course the Sony Connect service. It will sell at SonyStyle.com and in stores starting in August for about $300.
The CWNP Program is ready to release the second edition of its CWSP Official Study Guide, which covers how to secure WLANs and pass the CWSP course for security pros. New to the second edition is coverage of intrusion prevention systems and the big one, the 802.11i security specification. It's for sale for $50 at the Web site , or as part of a $155 self-study kit that includes a voucher for taking the exam and a practice test.
Pegasus Wireless Corp. says its first product geared toward consumers, the WiJET.e, will be out in October. The unit is designed to stream video and audio to multiple remote displays. Previous version was geared to doing remote presentations using software like PowerPoint.
TapRoot Systems says its WLAN software will be made available for Symbian OS 9.x which runs smartphones. It works with 802.11 chips from major vendors including Philips, TI and Marvell, as well as a variety of bus interfaces. This follows last week's announcement from Symbian that version 9.3 of the OS will have native Wi-Fi support built in.
July 13, 2006
Which would you rather have, your iPod or your Wi-Fi connection? The Wi-Fi Alliance did a survey with Kelton Research of 551 Americans familiar with technology. 80% of respondents prefer their wireless home network to their MP3 player. Most people would also rather go without a home phone line than give up the Wi-Fi. Urbanites especially like the 802.11. Other findings: only 18% of people use Wi-Fi to fudge their whereabouts to others, 55% work from "home" (be it kitchen, bath or public space) a couple times a week, and the average time required for setting up a wireless network was 1 hour, 8 minutes.
AirTight Networks , provider of intrusion detection/prevention systems under the SpectraGuard brand, has some new partnerships. It and Extricom will both co-market each other's products. Extricom makes centrally-managed WLAN infrastructure equipment, which will also now also run SpectraGuard on top of its switch. LVL7 Systems , which makes software for wireless switches, will be combining its software with SpectraGuard Planner and SpectraGuard Enterprise, so OEMs using the LVL7 software will get the full security functions built in. They'll also do joint sales and marketing.
July 11, 2006
Columbitech's latest software release will make sure employees don't connect via costly hotspots. They have a Cost Control function in the new Columbitech Connect software that will issue warnings based on the pricing, tariffs and even the data rate the remote workers get. It also has an automated self-help tool to assist with network configuration on the client laptop, on both LANs and WLANs, even over dial-up and 3G connections.
Makers of classic point-to-point (P2P) microwave equipment don't have to worry about the coming of WiMax, FSO or other equipment. Visant Strategies says the market will be worth $3.4 billion by 2011. In fact, they think mobile wireless backhaul will help the P2P microwave industry, as will need for wireless by public safety and broadcasters, as equipment in the unlicensed bands will double between now and 2011. Two million P2P microwave radios could ship by 2009.
Equipment provider 3e Technologies International (3eTI) has been bought by EFJ, Inc . of Irving, Texas for $36 million cash and $3.6 million in escrow. 3eTI makes WLAN infrastructure equipment for government compliance supporting Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 (now required by the Department of Defense) and the 802.11i security standard -- and it's a Cisco partner, which it will continue to be under EFJ.
Seven more companies have joined the independent MobileIGNITE consortium of fixed/mobile convergence supporters. They include Wi-Fi mainstays Colubris Networks and Meru Networks, plus Blueslice Networks, CommuniGate Systems, F1 Interop Solutions, Glenayre Messaging and Paragon Wireless. In the past seven months, MobileIGNITE has added 30 members for a total of 46 member companies.
July 10, 2006
D-Link is now shipping the DPH-540/541 phones it had on display at shows earlier this year. The Wi-Fi/SIP handset is a clamshell design (unlike similar products from Linksys and Netgear) that comes in black or silver for about $250. It weighs 3.74 ounces, can store 100 address book entries, has caller ID on the color LCD screen and supports polyphonic ring tones. Battery life is about 70 hours on standby with three hours of talk time. There's a Broadcom chip inside. Security-wise, it supports up to WPA2 encryption. It works with the PsipTN public VoIP system coming later this year, and by supporting SIP, it will probably work with other providers such as Vonage.
Berkeley Varitronics Systems (BVS) will map Wi-Fi interference with the Honeycomb software that works with its BumbleBee spectrum analyzer hardware running on an iPAQ handheld as well as on a PC. It shows interference overlaid on a floor plan with regular radio frequency (RF) data. The company says it will show all signal sources and strengths to prevent "RF free zones" where signals won't go. Anyone buying BumbleBee gets $250 off toward buying Honeycomb.
They say it's for network administrators, so I'm sure it'll never be used nefariously... Airscanner Mobile Sniffer is Pocket PC software with support for the Ethereal packet capture format, which can grab network passwords right out of the air (as well as finding unauthorized users on the network). You just need a PDA running Windows Mobile 2003SE, Windows Mobile 2005 or above with Wi-Fi installed. There's a 30-day trial before you have to buy.
Late last year, Gartner asked 200 business technology groups in North America and Europe how they felt about WLANs, and the survey response was that 64% plan to increase wireless deployments in the next six months. 44% want it for more mobility, and 21% are in it to connect places that can't get wired (in fact, 13% thought it was less expensive than wires). Security is still their top concern. Management was second, especially for those with a network already in place or in planning stages.
MobileIGNITE says it has been picked to serve as the Market Representation Partner for the Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2), similar to what it had with 3GPP. The group will provide "consensus market requirements" around fixed/mobile convergence (F/MC) of WLANs (the fixed) and cellular/3G technology (the mobile). Other similar partners for 3GPP2 include CDMA Development Group, IPv6 Forum, and International 450 Association.
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