Aruba Networks' 802.11n Solution Moves to the Head of the Class at Carnegie Mellon University
Aruba's 802.11n Adaptive Wireless LAN Selected For Academic Campus Based On Market-Leading Performance, Security, And Scalability
SUNNYVALE, California, November 12, 2007 - Aruba Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARUN), a global leader in user-centric networks and secure mobility solutions, today announced that Carnegie Mellon University has selected and started deploying Aruba's 802.11n adaptive wireless LANs across its Pittsburgh academic campus. A global research university with more than 10,000 students and 4,000 faculty and staff, Carnegie Mellon is both a world-class research university and a pioneer in wireless networking through its Wireless Andrew program. Wireless Andrew began as a research network in 1994 to support Carnegie Mellon's wireless research initiative, and was later expanded throughout the academic and administrative buildings as well as student residence halls. Aruba equipment will be used to update the entire academic campus network, excluding campus residence halls, with 802.11n wireless managed by Aruba's new 80Gbps Multi-Service Mobility Controllers.
Aruba was selected for the project following a comprehensive technical assessment and performance test that included both adaptive and single channel wireless LAN technology. The performance of Aruba's wireless LAN, the scalability and ease-of-use of its centralized network management architecture, and the robustness of its security features put Aruba at the head of the class.
"We're excited to once again be on the forefront of wireless networking in our deployment of a campus-wide WLAN based on the emerging 802.11n standard," said Dan McCarriar, Assistant Director of Network Services at Carnegie Mellon University. "Our involvement in wireless networking since 1994 has given us a good appreciation of the challenges of WLAN deployment, especially in the mix of modern and historical buildings we have throughout our multi-acre campus. We also recognize what an indispensable tool the Wireless Andrew network has become for students, faculty, and staff at Carnegie Mellon. Not only do the products we deploy need to embrace leading-edge standards like 802.11n, they must also provide the best security, scalability, and reliability in the industry. Our in-depth technical evaluation led us to select the Aruba AP-124/AP-125 802.11n Access Points and 80Gbps MMC-6000 Multi-Service Mobility Controller for deployment in our academic and administrative buildings."
Aruba's user-centric networks securely deliver the enterprise network to users by integrating adaptive WLANs, identity-based security, and application continuity services into a cohesive, high-performance system. By associating security policies with users, instead of ports or hardware, policies can be enforced independently of how or where a user accesses the network. This unique follow-me security capability provides unprecedented mobility for users while ensuring that security is always enforced. Aruba's new 802.11n access points offer wire-like performance, and for the first time make it feasible to deploy a completely all-wireless workplace.
"Today we view Wireless Andrew as a complementary network to our campus wired network," explains Chuck Bartel, Director of Network Services, "but with the speeds 802.11n will offer, we can start to consider Wireless Andrew 2.0 as a replacement network for some of the applications now used on campus. The goal of the Wireless Andrew 2.0 project will be to provide connectivity that will rival the wired connections on campus today so that researchers and the rest of the campus community can benefit from the latest technological advances in wireless communication."
"Carnegie Mellon has been an instrumental player in the development of wireless LANs, and being selected for their campus deployment is an honor of the first order," said Keerti Melkote, Aruba's co-founder and head of products and partnerships. "802.11n is the first wireless technology that can truly displace wired networks, and its MIMO technology also improves the performance of legacy 802.11a/b/g clients while overcoming many installation issues. When coupled with Aruba's ultra high performance Mobility Controller and our hardware-accelerated encryption and identity-based security, you have the makings of a completely wireless network that offers better security, lower installation and operating costs, and greater scalability than a wired network. We look forward to working with Carnegie Mellon as they extend the reach and capabilities of Wireless Andrew in the days ahead."
About Aruba Networks, Inc.
Aruba securely delivers the enterprise network to users, wherever they work or roam, with user-centric networks that significantly expand the reach of traditional port-centric networks. User-centric networks integrate adaptive WLANs, identity-based security, and application continuity services into a cohesive, high-performance system that can be easily deployed as an overlay on top of existing network infrastructure. Adaptive WLANs deliver high-performance, follow-me connectivity so users are always within reach of mission-critical information. Identity-based security associates access policies with users, not ports, to enable follow-me security that is enforced regardless of access method or location. Application continuity services enable follow-me applications that can be seamlessly accessed across WLAN and cellular networks. The cost, convenience, and security benefits of user-centric networks are fundamentally changing how and where we work. Listed on the NASDAQ and Russell 2000® Index, Aruba is based in Sunnyvale, California, and has operations throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific regions. To learn more, visit www.arubanetworks.com.
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Michael Tennefoss
Aruba Networks, Inc.
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Jay Nichols
Sterling Communications, Inc.
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