Expands Unified Wireless Network Family and Features to Enable Comprehensive Set of Mobility Services

June 22, 2006 - Cisco Systems has announced an expansion to its Unified Wireless Network Solution that allows customers to simply and effectively roll out an array of new mobility services including security, guest access, voice over Wi-Fi, and location-based services.

As wireless local area networks (WLANs) gain pervasive adoption throughout enterprise markets and vertical industries, Cisco has developed solutions and applications as well as application programming interfaces (APIs) for partners to capitalise on WLAN ubiquity. To meet the requirements of these ecosystems, Cisco is delivering an assembly of its Mobility Services as an integral part of Cisco’s Services Oriented Network Architecture (SONA). SONA is an architectural framework that guides customers’ evolution to an intelligent network to accelerate applications, business processes, and profitability. With this unified architectural approach, customers can easily deploy scalable applications that can be implemented across wireline and wireless networks.

Cisco’s Wireless LAN unification strategy and execution has been a model of success,” said Joel Conover, research director at Current Analysis. “Cisco has consistently delivered feature integration and enhancements faster than expected, outperforming competitors in the market. Cisco has been able to deliver synergistic security and mobility features, while competitors are turning to external partnerships or simply failing to deliver comparable functionality.”

“Mobility services, such as voice, guest access, security and location, are just the tip of the iceberg for what is to come,” said Brett Galloway, vice president and general manager of Cisco’s Wireless Networking Business Unit. “These services are the foundation to enable a host of new applications, such as IT asset tracking, presence-based applications, dual-mode voice, integrated intrusion detection and prevention, and guest access. Each of these new emerging applications also delivers compelling, tangible business cases that can improve operational efficiencies and reduce costs.”

WLAN Mobility Services: New Features for Security, Guest Access, Voice and Location
Cisco has released its Unified Wireless Network Software Release 4.0, which delivers a wide range of new features for mobility services. These include:

Advanced Security

Hybrid remote-edge access points (REAP) – These allow for powerful yet easy-to-manage, remote WLAN authentication and access with the ability to aggregate controller services at a central site. This feature is ideal for branch office environments or sites or any smaller site, such as a smaller retail outlet, where advanced mobility services such as guest access and security can be managed both cost-effectively and centrally.
Management Frame Protection – This important security feature utilises 802.11i-based encryption to protect management frames, which helps protect against denial-of-service attacks. Management frames have often been utilised in malicious attacks, and with thisfeature, Cisco is continuing its leadership in delivering comprehensive wireless and wired security.
Multilayered, integrated intrusion detection and prevention – In concert with the Cisco IPS 4200 Series Sensors, the Cisco Unified Wireless Network provides complete Layers 2 though 7 intrusion prevention capabilities, including deep-packet inspection to help protect against malicious access across the wireless and wireline network. Essentially Cisco is combining the value of its industry-leading Unified Wireless Network solution and Cisco Self-Defendin Network (SDN) architecture.
Government-level security certification – The Cisco Unified Wireless Network now features FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certification for deployment and use with sensitive government applications.
Secure guest access – Guest access services continue to drive wireless deployments from small businesses up to enterprise accounts due to the need to provide limited network accessibility without exposing and compromising sensitive company data. With the Cisco Unified Wireless Network Software Release 4.0, companies can offer secure guest access by taking advantage of customisable login screens and lobby ambassador portals.

Wi-Fi Voice Services
Voice services extend mobile e-mail and voice over IP (Internet Protocol) to give workers untethered flexibility in managing their workload. With the Cisco Unified Wireless Network Software Release 4.0, administrators can utilise a variety of features, such as Call Admission Control, Cisco Compatible Extensions v.4, performance metrics and enhanced secure roaming to give unprecedented voice over WLAN quality of service.

Location-Based Services
Location services mark a new era of how WLAN technology enables new market paradigms. The Cisco Unified Wireless Network Software Release 4.0 adds significant new features to help customers plan and deploy accurate location services, including advanced location planning and deployment, which is integrated into Cisco’s Wireless Control System management application. These features make it easy for customers to deploy “location-ready” networks.

“Offering pervasive wireless guest access to our patients, visitors and doctors provides OSF Healthcare with a competitive advantage,” said Matthew Martynowski, supervisor, network and security communications at OSF Healthcare System. “It increases patient and visitor satisfaction by allowing them to stay connected to family and friends. Also, visiting doctors are now able to communicate within the hospital and their network more effectively. The main consideration for buying the Cisco Unified Wireless Network solution with secure guest access is that it protects our core network while allowing for a positive user experience.”

Cisco Unified Wireless Network Solution Expands With the New Catalyst 3750G Integrated Wireless LAN Controller
SONA mobility services require a flexible, integrated approach to wireless and wireline networking. To achieve this in a WLAN, Cisco’s strategy has been to deliver a Unified Wireless Network architecture that features hardware, software and services integrated to deliver network scale, simplify deployment and drive down total costs of ownership. Building upon this architecture, Cisco today unveiled the latest addition to its portfolio, the Cisco Catalyst 3750G Integrated Wireless LAN Controller. The new controller delivers highly secure, enterprise wireless access to midsize organisations, enterprise branch offices and large enterprise environments where customers prefer to distribute wireless control capabilities.

The Catalyst 3750G Integrated Wireless LAN Controller is a complete, fully featured enterprise LAN switch, featuring 24 Power-over-Ethernet ports and two Gigabit Ethernet uplinks. Cisco’s StackWise technology allows multiple switches to be stacked together for high-performance, high-density wiring closets. Now customers can easily add this fully integrated wired/wireless solution to their existing stacks.

“For Carnival, managing complex wired and wireless networks for both land and sea operations is a part of business, and anything that makes network management easier and less time consuming is more than welcomed,” said Yi Wang, senior network engineer. “In testing the Catalyst 3750G Integrated Wireless LAN Controller, we found it easy to set up and manage, and within 10 minutes, we had one installed, configured and ready to go. Now that’s an IT lifesaver.”

The Cisco Unified Wireless Network Software Release 4.0 and Catalyst 3750G Integrated Wireless LAN Controllers are available now. The Catalyst 3750G Integrated Wireless LAN Controller is $20,500 for support for up to 25 access points (APs), and $25,500 for support for up to 50 APs. More information about these solutions is available at: www.cisco.com/go/mobilityservices.

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