Aruba Networks Outlines Wireless Networking Infrastructure in an 802.11n World
SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 21: Aruba Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARUN), a global leader in secure mobility solutions, today announced the availability of a technical white paper on 802.11n design and infrastructure considerations about which integrators and end users should be aware before considering the need for, and deployment, of an 802.11n based network. Titled Designed for Speed: Network Infrastructure in an 802.11n World, the document discusses co-existence in hybrid 802.11a/b/g/n networks, wiring infrastructure considerations, and equipment throughput requirements. The findings note that many users don't need 802.11n today because existing wireless LANs are underutilized, purchasing pre-standard 802.11n devices is risky because they may not be field upgradeable for standards compliance, and any new data center and wiring closet equipment purchases should be future- proofed by incorporating gigabit Ethernet ports and processing packets at gigabit 802.11n rates.
"802.11n migration requires new clients and gigabit Ethernet rewiring, both of which are expensive propositions," said Peter Thornycroft, author of the white paper and Aruba's wireless OS and application manager. "Unless there is a compelling and urgent need to deploy pre-standard devices, users are advised to wait until the 802.11n standard has been ratified and standards-based clients are available."
The paper discusses the impact of the 802.11n multiple-input, multiple- output (MIMO) antenna design on deployment scenarios. Since 802.11n devices exhibit different performance in the face of multipath than legacy 802.11a/b/g devices, the paper includes recommendations on access point spacing to optimize coverage.
"Many users are concerned and confused about the impact that 802.11n will have on their existing infrastructure, but with proper 802.11n channel assignments and spacing, legacy 802.11a/b/g devices will coexist with 802.11n devices," said Sam Lucero, senior analyst for wireless connectivity research at ABI Research. "Forklift upgrades can be minimized if users select equipment vendors that have done their homework."
Users contemplating the purchase of new infrastructure devices can future- proof their decision by procuring equipment that includes multiple gigabit Ethernet ports and has the multi-gigabit bandwidth to process high volumes of 802.11n packets. Tests show that purpose-built equipment designed for high bandwidth network processing exhibit significantly better performance than repurposed or repackaged generic PCs. "Buyers need to be very mindful of processed packet throughput when contemplating equipment that could in the future handle gigabit 802.11n data -- otherwise they could find themselves under-provisioned," continued Thornycroft.
Designed for Speed: Network Infrastructure in an 802.11n World will be available at Interop Las Vegas, May 20-25, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Subsequent to the show the document will be available through Aruba's Web site at http://www.arubanetworks.com/.
About Aruba Networks, Inc.
Aruba Networks provides an enterprise mobility solution that enables secure access to data, voice and video applications across wireless and wireline enterprise networks. The Aruba Mobile Edge Architecture allows end- users to roam to different locations within an enterprise campus or office building, as well as to remote locations such as branch and home offices, while maintaining secure and consistent access to all of their network resources. Using the Aruba Mobile Edge Architecture, IT departments can manage user-based network access and enforce application delivery policies from a single integrated point of control in a consistent manner. Aruba's user- centric enterprise mobility solution integrates the ArubaOS operating system, optional value-added software modules, a centralized mobility management system, high-performance programmable mobility controllers, and wired and wireless access points. Based in Sunnyvale, California, Aruba has operations in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and employs staff around the world. To learn more, visit Aruba at http://www.arubanetworks.com/.
Source: Aruba Networks, Inc.
CONTACT: media, Michael Tennefoss Aruba Networks, Inc.,
+1-408-754-8034, mtennefoss@arubanetworks.com; Jay Nichols
+Sterling
Communications, Inc., +1-415-392-2300, jnichols@sterlingpr.com, Aruba Networks, Inc.
Web site: http://www.arubanetworks.com/
