Mobility/Wireless

Cisco recently introduced a new product that allows small and medium-sized businesses to manage multiple access points from one location.

The Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Module for the Integrated Services Router family allows companies to install up to six access points and manage them from one place.

"Because the module is now serving as the brains of the wireless network, a network manager doesn't have to go out and configure each access point individually. He or she can actually configure each access point from the central location," says Lance Gallardo, wireless product marketing manager at Cisco.
The module is supported on Cisco 2800 and 3800 series integrated services routers, and Cisco 3700 Series routers. It provides a highly secure enterprise-class wireless system, as well as:

• Centralized security policies
• Wireless intrusion prevention system (IPS) capabilities
• Award-winning Radio Frequency (RF) management
• Quality of service (QoS)
• Layer 3 fast secure roaming for WLANs

Intelligent Management

The new module includes software for adaptive real-time RF management and Cisco Radio Resource Management (RRM) algorithms to instantly detect and adjust to changes in air space. These adjustments create the optimal topology for wireless networking in much the same way that routing protocols compute the best possible topology for IP networks.

Cisco RRM algorithms improve wireless LAN operations; tighten wireless security by creating a defense shield that helps prevent unauthorized access from outside the RF domain; and enable small and medium-sized businesses to deploy wireless applications such as voice.

A Unified Approach

The new controller module is a component of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network, which combines high-performance wired networking software with secure wireless LAN technologies, and gives small and medium-sized businesses the ability to centrally manage the entire wide area network.

The Cisco Unified Wireless Network is the only solution in the industry to integrate access-point technology with a centralized management system, intelligent control, real-time location services, and a wide array of interoperable Cisco Compatible client devices. It allows small and medium-sized businesses to:

• Prioritize wireless traffic, to help ensure information is safely delivered to the right people
• Segment wireless networks to accommodate different users and applications
• Provide connectivity across different networks to allow seamless roaming

The network simplifies deployment, operations, and management, which means you can easily manage several, hundreds, or thousands of centrally or remotely located access points from a single console. In addition, network managers can design infrastructures that meet their companies' specific needs, whether deploying a simple or highly integrated network.