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| Cisco Primes Wireless Networks for New Age of Mobility Services 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 capitalize 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 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 suited 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 utilizes 802.11i-based encryption to protect management frames, which helps protect against denial-of-service attacks. Management frames have often been utilized in malicious attacks. - 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 Unified Wireless Network solution and Cisco Self-Defending 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 customizable 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 utilize 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. 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 organizations, 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. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Networking News :: home page |