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Seeking to deliver a better WiFi experience – and to keep in step with the increasing popularity of WiFi (News - Alert) devices – Bandspeed, a leader in WiFi infrastructure solutions, has released new Virtual Controller software for its AirMaestro Platform. The solution builds the company’s AirMaestro Light Edition by bringing the number of APs supported from 5 to 25. In addition the solution offers enhanced security, manageability and functionality.
The company claims this is the industry’s first “Wireless Office in a Box WLAN” solution for SMEs and service providers. However, the emphasis is not only on the ease of deployment, but an overall improvement in the WiFi experience for the user. With this software, service providers can quickly and easily deploy WiFi networks that offer fast downloads and crystal clear voice-over-WiFi calls with zero drops. In addition, the solution offers improved WLAN security.
Virtual Controller offers remote accessibility and centralized management to enable a superior wireless experience. The enhanced management console provides multiple RF monitor and WLAN network views, including detailed spectral analysis at the AP level. Wizard-driven tools simplify WLAN service deployment/modification across the network.
Utilizing a distributed architecture, the solution is self-organizing and self-healing. It provides intelligent and coordinated configuration of APs (access points), dynamic load balancing, fast roaming and rogue AP mitigation (more precisely, fast roaming between APs occurs in less than 50 milliseconds, ensuring calls are not disrupted.)
The solution is also highly flexible and scalable, meaning that it enables SMEs and service providers to meet future WLAN requirements. The network is scalable to support company growth and the applications the network will be asked to support in the future. Virtual Controller provides support for up to 25 APs in a single Layer 2 network, as well as wizard-driven services management that allows existing services to be extended to new access points quickly and easily.
Perhaps most importantly (these days), WLAN security is improved through the use of integrated dual-band radios - each AP with a dedicated RF security sensor. The Virtual Controller software extends Rogue AP detection to provide WLAN firewall capability through Rogue AP mitigation. It also offers enhanced guest services, now supporting up to 16 BSSIDs per access point, each assignable to a unique VLAN.
Last but not least, Virtual Controller-based APs support multi-hop wireless backhaul with spanning tree protocol to extend the reach of the WLAN without the added expense and hassle of running new wires. APIs are also available to support 3rd party software integration.
“The Bandspeed AirMaestro with Virtual Controller is a complete and affordable WLAN solution for the SME market,” said Paul DeBeasi, senior analyst, The Burton Group. “To build a similar system today, a customer would require a WLAN controller, multiple dual-band APs, a wireless sensor network, and a spectrum analyzer. With the Virtual Controller, all of this functionality is provided in an integrated solution that makes it significantly easier and less expensive to deploy and manage.”
For more information, visit www.bandspeed.com.
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Patrick Barnard is Assignment Editor for TMCnet and a columnist covering the telecom industry. To see more of his articles, please visit Patrick Barnard’s columnist page Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) | X | | This tutorial covers WiFi Authentication and Association as well as other issues related to network Authentication, Authorization and Accounting. While users complain about too many logins, the "over...more |
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