Wavering Wi-Fi architectures

Wireless in the Enterprise This newsletter is sponsored by IBM Make the most of your IBM solutions Take advantage of exclusive online training from IBM and ensure your enterprise is making the most of its WebSphere Application and Integration middleware products. Enroll in courses developed in conjunction with IBM product developers and IBM services organizations featuring the latest technical and product information. Click here for more information. Network World's Wireless in the Enterprise Newsletter, 05/09/07 Wavering Wi-Fi architectures By Joanie Wexler Within the past five years, the trend in wireless LANs has been toward centralized architectures that allow for scalable configuration, administration, and management. The idea has been basically that the controller contains the systems smarts and the radio access points have grown fairly dumb. More recently, however, some architectures are finding a more middle ground. Newer companies and some existing thin-AP/controller companies are moving certain process-intensive functions, such as encryption, switching and QoS, back to a more distributed model. The reason is the growing potential for latency and increased traffic loads on the back end. The traffic volumes associated with forthcoming 802.11n networks and growing data and voice traffic over time will place more processing demands on the back-end wireless and wired infrastructures. Controllers could become a bottleneck if all traffic streams must make a pit stop there. Wireless LAN Executive Guide Easily stay on top of the latest developments and issues in WLAN technology, standards, security, telephony, management and more. Click here for more information. Here are some of the current WLAN systems vendor architecture strategies: * Aruba Wireless Networks Retaining primarily centralized architecture, but will move QoS - such as Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) prioritization and call admission control - into distributed APs. * Bluesocket Retaining fully centralized architecture in order to support multivendor APs. * Cisco Retaining fully centralized architecture with AP1000s and Wireless Control System. Distributed functions are available in older Cisco Aironet 1100 and 1200 APs, with which customers can use the Wireless LAN Services Engine for centralized management. * Colubris Distributed APs switch client traffic and enforce security and QoS; centralized controller handles configuration, administration, and management only. * Extricom Offers a fully centralized architecture; uses “channel blanket” technology that avoids inter-AP handoffs, interference and cell planning. * Meru Networks Moving to distribute certain high-intensity processing functions with 802.11n APs and 802.11n controller. * Motorola (formerly Symbol) Retains fully centralized architecture with its AP300 thin AP and Wi-Fi controllers for large deployments. Distributed functions are available in older Motorola AP-5131 and AP-5181 radios without centralized management capabilities. * Xirrus APs and controller function are bundled together in a common housing and then distributed throughout the enterprise environment. So while forwarding, encryption and QoS still run between AP and controller, the controller is local to the AP. * Trapeze Networks Moving from fully centralized to partially distributed “Smart Mobile” architecture, which enables all or select application traffic to be switched within the distributed APs.   What do you think? Post a comment on this newsletter

TODAY'S MOST-READ STORIES: 1. Analysts squash IBM layoff rumors 2. Five cool future IT positions 3. Top things we love and hate about Apple 4. Top 15 controversial Microsoft quotes 5. Top 15 all-time 'network-iest' TV characters 6. Thin clients in, PCs out at Verizon Wireless 7. The 50 best consumer tech products ever 8. Cringely should stop shooting his mouth off 9. 10 ways to boost your IT org now 10. Sprint Nextel vs. 41 non-profits MOST E-MAILED STORY: Homeless man disrupts Internet2 service

Contact the author: Joanie Wexler is an independent networking technology writer/editor in California's Silicon Valley who has spent most of her career analyzing trends and news in the computer networking industry. She welcomes your comments on the articles published in this newsletter, as well as your ideas for future article topics. Reach her at joanie@jwexler.com. This newsletter is sponsored by IBM Make the most of your IBM solutions Take advantage of exclusive online training from IBM and ensure your enterprise is making the most of its WebSphere Application and Integration middleware products. Enroll in courses developed in conjunction with IBM product developers and IBM services organizations featuring the latest technical and product information. Click here for more information. ARCHIVE Archive of the Wireless in the Enterprise Newsletter. BONUS FEATURE IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007