Aim is more connections per access point

Phil Hochmuth

March 16, 2007 (Network World) --

Foundry Networks Inc. this week launched new wireless LAN access points and controllers that can help users concentrate more connections per access point and stretch WLAN applications beyond simple data access.

With a new location management offering as well, Foundry said the new gear and software will help companies simplify WLAN deployment and management, and consolidate wireless data access with other services -- such as VoIP and location tracking -- on a single 802.11-based infrastructure.

Foundry's IronPort Mobility AP150 access point -- based on technology from Meru Networks -- can support as many as 120 WLAN connections per device, a useful feature for deployments in large public spaces or high-traffic areas. The IronPort Mobility Radio Switch 4000 is an even beefier WLAN access point, with built-in dual 802.11a and 802.11g radios, and support for as many as 256 connections per device. These products, combined with IronPort Wireless Location Manager 2.02 software, let users deploy such services as rogue-access-point detection and location, and WLAN-based employee or asset tracking.

The IronPort Mobility AP150 and IronPort Radio Switch 4000 provide multiple-radio coverage and the ability to deploy an entire WLAN with a single 802.11 channel and a single Secure Service Set Identifier network name. Foundry said this simplifies management and configuration for administrators.

The new IronPort gear also supports in-the-air quality of service (QoS) -- where the devices prioritize certain types of radio traffic between the client and the access point. Other WLAN equipment applies QoS settings to data or voice traffic only once packets hit the wired network at the access point, Foundry said.

The IronPort Wireless Location Manager 2.02 software now identifies the location of unauthorized access points -- for example, an access point set up by a user in a cubicle or at a desk -- as well as unauthorized WLAN clients in a building or campus. This service can be overlaid on top of an existing Foundry WLAN infrastructure and does not require additional access points dedicated to location tracking, the company says.

The Meru-based Foundry WLAN gear competes with products such as Cisco Systems Inc.'s Airespace-based WLAN equipment, as well as gear from Aruba Networks