Proxim has launched a suite of software from third
parties that knits access points together and contends with
purpose-built wireless switches from other suppliers.
The wireless network company has also launched an enterprise
access point which includes Atheros Communications' Super mode and
a new version of its access point software that lets existing
access points operate faster and more securely.
"Essentially this is a substitute for wireless switches," said
Ben Gibson, vice-president of marketing at Proxim. "These features
are talked about as needing a wireless switch architecture, but we
don't feel that deploying new hardware is the best or market-viable
way to meet these needs." The software runs on a dedicated
server.
Unkind observers might wonder whether the company's recent big
cash settlement with rival Symbol Technologies made the third-party
software option a necessity.
The Orinoco Smart Wireless Suite includes Mobile Manager and
Avalanche from Wavelink, which manage wireless access points and
distribute software to them, as well as the Ekahau site survey
software. The suite handles RF management, so access points can
select WiFi channels to operate on and handle rogue detection and
wireless intrusion detection.
Proxim does have a switch system in its portfolio, developed
with Avaya and Motorola and aimed at the voice-on-WiFi market:
"We are neutral," said Gibson. "There are different customers
with different preferences, but the majority deploy wireless Lans
with functions in the access point."
The new access point, the AP-700, is up to the mark on security
(WPA2) and quality of service (complying with the draft IEEE
802.11e spec). It also operates faster by using the Atheros
chipset's Super mode in Proxim access points to give a real
throughput of 30Mbps. It supports the a, b and g variants of
802.11, and as a security measure scans both 2.4GHz and 5GHz for
wireless activity.
The single-radio access point can't scan and handle data
simultaneously, so scans cause an occasional one-second delay in
transmission, but, according to Gibson, the access point can be
configured to give the minimum of trouble. "The network manager can
configure an acceptable frequency of polling."
Although it has been argued that a site survey is an unnecessary
expense and out of proportion with the cost of cheap access points,
Gibson said Proxim's resellers had demanded the site survey
software deal.
"Many VARs see this as a value-added service. Site surveying
isn't necessary for every customer, but we wanted to offer what we
felt was a best-in-class product."
Gibson said that the switchless approach was not necessarily a
low-end phenomenon. "I don't believe large-scale enterprises have
moved towards wireless-aware switches. Leading suppliers like Cisco
and Proxim have put more functionality and intelligence in the
access point."
The software suite is available as separate components. Mobile
Manager costs £1,149 for 25 access points, Avalanche the same, and
Ekahau £1,899. The AP-700 costs £349, and the new software version
can be downloaded free for existing customers.
Peter Judge writes for Techworld