Colubris Networks, a global provider of intelligent wireless LAN (WLAN) access equipment, today announced a new generation of products – paired with an integrated management platform – that enable enterprises, universities, government agencies and hotspot service providers to deliver secure wireless access without requiring WLAN switches or a separate, overlay network.
In a separate announcement, Colubris Networks unveiled details about the Wireless Extension Architecture for secure WLAN networks (www.colubris.com/en/news/press_releases).
The new intelligent access devices include the CN3200 and CN320 for public hotspot networks, the CN1250 and CN1220 for enterprise networks, and the Colubris Networks Management System (CNMS), a central management console for configuring, monitoring and troubleshooting a network of intelligent WLAN access equipment for both markets. Representing the industry’s most comprehensive feature set, the new devices include software selectable a/b/g radio, U/L plenum rated enclosure, subnet roaming, power over Ethernet support, and the industry’s first implementation of Virtual Access Point (AP) technology.
The new access devices build on over two years of field experience delivering highly secure WLAN solutions, adding powerful VLAN-based security features and support for Wi-Fi protected access (WPA) and 802.11i security standards. The new equipment and complementary management system give businesses, universities and government agencies – including remote and departmental offices, telecommunications carriers and wireless ISPs – even more compelling turnkey Wi-Fi systems that are secure, flexible, scalable and cost-effective to deploy.
STSN, the worldwide leader in secure broadband services for business travelers, has certified and will be using Colubris Networks intelligent access points as a component of the STSN wireless network for deployment in hotels and conference centers worldwide. “The hospitality industry is one of the fastest growing markets for Wi-Fi deployments, with some of the most unique security and network configuration needs,” said Brett Molen, CTO and co-founder of STSN. “Colubris Networks provides us with a robust access point that meets our demanding specifications for security and reliability that allows STSN to meet the needs of both our hotel partners and mobile corporate users.”
Wireless Extension Architecture Superior to WLAN Switch-Based Overlay Architecture
Colubris Networks products support the “Wireless Extension Architecture,” which uses intelligent access devices and a central management system to give mobile users the same secure, scalable, cost-effective network services that are accessible to users of the wired network. The extension architecture can be installed for approximately one-third less cost than the more complex and intrusive WLAN switch-based overlay architecture. When intelligent access devices are combined with a wireless network management system, users receive the centralized control and manageability associated with the overlay architecture – but without any of the proprietary hardware, administrative complexity, or higher capital and operational costs.
The Colubris Networks approach provides greater scalability, lower cost, ease of management, higher interoperability, and security management that is integrated with the existing network infrastructure. It also offers advantages in geographically distributed organizations, because it can be implemented in a network of sites of varying scale, from small branch offices to large headquarters buildings, while consolidating the entire infrastructure under a central management system – all without requiring costly switches that replicate many of the functions already performed by installed Ethernet LAN switches. Refer to Colubris Networks’ white paper (www.colubris.com/en/support/whitepapers) for a full comparison of the two architectures.
According to Peter Jarich, senior analyst for wireless infrastructure at U.S. market research firm Current Analysis, “Costs are a key concern for operators looking to deploy PWLAN services. By leveraging an infrastructure sharing model using Virtual APs, operators can create an elegant and cost-effective solution for applications requiring access to multiple services. Carrying this forward to the use of integrated hotspot controllers like the CN3200 with satellite WLAN access devices such as the CN320 keeps costs down. However, surprisingly, the ultimate value may be for the enterprise which needs to juggle multiple internal clients with differing access and security needs.”
Powerful Management System Enhances WLAN Scalability and Ease of Administration
To simplify WLAN management, the CNMS is a central management console for configuring, monitoring and troubleshooting a network of intelligent WLAN access equipment. It features a scalable architecture that enables network administrators to cost-effectively manage a large WLAN infrastructure and integrate the WLAN into an enterprise or service provider management system. CNMS is an open standards-based system capable of efficiently monitoring and managing thousands of Wi-Fi access devices from multiple vendors, and providing detailed WLAN user-level manageability. CNMS also offers an optional module that provides robust rogue detection using WLAN scanning and wireline discovery techniques.
The CNMS uses technology licensed from Airwave Wireless, a new Colubris Networks partner and developer of one of the industry’s most widely deployed, multi-vendor Wi-Fi network management software solutions.
Delivering Key Advantages for Enterprise and Public Hotspot Networks
The CN1250, CN1220, CN3200 and CN320 feature a software selectable 802.11 a/b/g radio and U/L plenum-certified enclosure for maximum installation/placement flexibility. Additionally, the new access devices deliver the industry’s first Virtual AP capability, which enables network managers to deliver up to 16 different Wi-Fi services through a single device. Virtual AP technology makes roaming services easier for public hotspot operators to configure and greatly enhances the user experience. It also enables enterprise network managers to deliver services tailored to the unique requirements of specific user groups, such as different classes of employees, contractors, supply chain partners and corporate guests.
CN1250 Secure Enterprise WLAN Access Device
The CN1250 integrates an enterprise-class WLAN access point with an embedded VPN server to deliver highly secure Wi-Fi access to mobile users. Its rich set of networking features enables network managers to deploy large, scalable Wi-Fi networks that integrate with existing enterprise network infrastructure, security and management systems. By integrating a VPN server into the device’s WPA and 802.11i-ready hardware, the CN1250 gives network managers flexibility to secure their WLANs using the same robust security mechanisms that secure their dial-up and home users. An integrated stateful firewall protects the CN1250’s Ethernet connection from hackers, and VLAN tagging leverages existing VLAN-based security infrastructure. The CN1250 also lets enterprise users roam seamlessly between CN1250 access devices connected to different IP subnets, without requiring additional LAN switching hardware.
CN1220 Enterprise WLAN Access Device
Designed for enterprises that have selected WPA and future migration to the 802.11i standard for security, the CN1220 provides Wi-Fi Alliance certified security support with AES capable hardware for investment protection. It shares all the Virtual AP, VLAN tagging, stateful firewall and other advanced security features of the CN1250, except the VPN server.
CN3200 Integrated Access Point and Controller
Ideal for a distributed network of hotspots, the CN3200 is an integrated Wi-Fi access point and access controller that delivers the industry’s first Virtual AP capability. As many as 16 SSIDs can be broadcast and mapped to a series of attributes, including unique AAA servers, captive portals and DHCP servers. Authentication, encryption and VLAN tagging policies can be customized for each SSID. The CN3200 provides an integrated stateful firewall and advanced security features to ensure privacy among clients within a hotspot, and detects and protects the Internet connection from hackers. It also enforces service policies on hotspot subscribers, reports per-user accounting information to a central billing system, and performs a range of critical networking functions that lets users seamlessly access the Internet.
CN320 Satellite Access Device
The CN320 satellite access device works seamlessly with Colubris Networks access controllers (CN3xxx Series products) to deliver scalable public access service in large hotspot venues. This cost-effective solution forwards all traffic within the hotspot network to the CN3xxx, while providing full roaming capabilities across all CN320s within the venue.
Availability
The CN1250, CN3200 and CNMS are immediately available through the Colubris Networks worldwide network of VARs and distributors, including Alcatel. The CN320 and CN1220 will be available in February 2004. For more information, visit www.colubris.com/en/products or contact sales@colubris.com.
About Colubris Networks
Colubris Networks is a global leader in providing highly secure, manageable and cost-effective Wireless LAN solutions for enterprise networks and carrier deployments. Its award-winning Wi-Fi certified product family of purpose-built enterprise and public access offerings seamlessly integrates into existing customer networks, providing maximum cost-effectiveness and management simplicity. Colubris Networks embeds strong tools such as Virtual Private Networking, enhanced security and firewall technologies into its open, industry-standard solutions. Colubris Networks’ products are deployed by more than 400 organizations worldwide, including Telecom Italia, NTT-ME, McGill University, Bangkok International Airport, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, and three of the world’s largest hotel chains. The company’s strategic business and technology partners include ADC, Alcatel, Juniper Networks, RSA Security, Funk Software, Micromuse, and a worldwide network of value-added-resellers and systems integrators. For more information visit the company at www.colubris.com or contact us at info@colubris.com.
