Science & Technology
Science and Technology
Science and Technology
Wed, August 12, 2009
Tue, August 11, 2009 Aruba Networks, Inc.: Calgary Board of Education Updates Wi-Fi District-Wide Using Aruba Networks' 802.11n Solution Supplied by
SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwire - August 12, 2009) - Aruba Networks, Inc. (
"The new networks are being overlaid on top of existing Aruba 802.11a/b/g networks that have been our wireless workhorses for the past three years," said Cindy Seibel, Calgary Board of Education's Director of Information Technology Services. "802.11n technology delivers significantly higher throughput with wire-like stability across larger numbers of laptops and other client devices. These benefits pave the way for CBE to aggressively launch high bandwidth electronic learning and video applications starting this year."
After many long delays, the 802.11n standard is expected to be ratified in mid-September 2009. 802.11n Draft 2.0 devices shipping now are expected to be compatible with the ratified standard. Ratification has long been considered the final impediment to wholesale adoption of 802.11n as a wire-replacement solution. "For many users, CBE included, concerns about using 802.11n vanished last year when it was made clear that compatibility was assured with Draft 2.0 devices," continued Seibel. "Of much greater significance are the performance differences between products made by different 802.11n vendors. Performance is where the wheat is separated from the chaff, and was the driving factor in our selection of Aruba."
Aruba's Adaptive Radio management (ARM) technology lowers 802.11n deployment and maintenance costs by automating site surveys and using infrastructure-based controls to optimize the performance of Wi-Fi clients in real-time. Acting on their own, Wi-Fi clients do not always work cooperatively with other clients, or select the optimal band, channel, and access point. These issues are exacerbated in settings with densely packed users such as computer labs and libraries. ARM uses a variety of techniques to control how Wi-Fi clients interact, helping to ensure that data, voice, and video applications have sufficient network resources to operate properly. The result is a better wireless experience.
"Multi-media electronic learning applications have demanding bandwidth and jitter requirements, and ARM technology has been proven to enhance 802.11n network performance so these applications work at their best," said Fran Sanda, Aruba's operations director for Canada. "Tests conducted at the University of Washington showed that ARM increased 802.11n throughput by more than 200%, and enabled more than 100 laptops to reliably display multi-media lectures delivered from a single access point. This was accomplished without adding any new software to the laptops or making any infrastructure changes." A free Farpoint Group white paper, "Advances In Wireless Infrastructure Control," details the test results and can be downloaded from Aruba's Web site at [ http://bit.ly/VjX12 ].
The District's AirWave Wireless Management Suite includes key features that are essential for every Wi-Fi network, yet are generally lacking in the proprietary management products sold by competing wireless vendors:
-- Network monitoring via Apple iPhone, Windows Mobile, RIM Blackberry, or other Web-enabled mobile platforms to speed problem detection, diagnostics, and resolution; -- Real-time trending, traffic, usage, capacity, location, and status updates with just one or two mouse clicks, including the ability to rewind and replay data such as device location history; -- Support for multiple generations of technology, wireless standards, and vendors through a single console interface; -- Comprehensive reporting including assistance with PCI audits; and -- Extensive Help Desk features and interfaces to trouble ticket solutions such as BMC Remedy.
The redundant AWMS server configuration complements CBE's redundant Wi-Fi controllers, and ensures on-going system operation in the event of a single point of failure. The access points are covered by Aruba's lifetime warranty, complete details of which can be found on Aruba's Web site at [ http://bit.ly/N9huC ].
About Aruba Networks
People move. Networks must follow. Aruba securely delivers networks to users, wherever they work or roam, using a combination of award-winning solutions:
-- Adaptive 802.11n Wi-Fi networks optimize themselves to ensure that users are always within reach of mission-critical information. Rightsizing expensive wired LANs by replacing them with high-speed 802.11n Wi-Fi reduces both capital and operating expenses; -- Identity-based security assigns access policies to users, enforcing those policies whenever and wherever a network is accessed; -- Remote networking solutions for branch offices, fixed telecommuters, and satellite facilities ensures uninterrupted remote access to applications; -- Multi-vendor network management provides a single point of control while managing both legacy and new wireless networks from Aruba and its competitors.
The cost, convenience, and security benefits of our secure mobility solutions 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 Aruba at [ http://www.arubanetworks.com ]. For real-time news updates follow Aruba on Twitter at [ http://twitter.com/ArubaNetworks ].
© 2009 Aruba Networks, Inc. AirWave®, Aruba Networks®, Aruba Mobility Management System®, Bluescanner, For Wireless That Works®, Mobile Edge Architecture, People Move. Networks Must Follow., The All-Wireless Workplace Is Now Open For Business, RFprotect, Green Island, and The Mobile Edge Company® are trademarks of Aruba Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
