| 8/27/08 - Firetide Inc. announced the new Firetide WLAN Controller that enables network-wide management and control of Firetide access points from a single interface. With the launch of the WLAN controller product, Firetide addresses a growing convergence trend in the channel, where a single integrator, be it security or IT, now provides the entire spectrum of networking services to an enterprise – from IP video surveillance to Wi-Fi access for employees and guests. Firetide’s extended wireless portfolio – from high-performance mesh backhaul to feature-rich WLAN management – is an excellent solution for integrators looking to break into new markets.
"Wireless LAN in a business environment has to provide a reliable and secure connection while being easy to manage," said Abner Germanow, director of enterprise networks at IDC. “Mesh networks are growing in popularity for businesses that need to create temporary networks, deploy quickly, or extend connectivity to places where cable cannot reach, and I am not surprised to see Firetide use its mesh expertise to move into the enterprise wireless LAN space.”
Firetide WLAN Controller enables Firetide channel partners to meet requirements for full WLAN management capabilities and ubiquitous coverage, even in areas where access points cannot be hardwired. The combination of wireless mesh backhaul and client access managed from a single interface delivers unprecedented ease and flexibility of deployments, allowing areas without existing infrastructure – such as parking garages, elevators, and outdoor spaces – to be covered so that workers, visitors or residents alike never disconnect from the network.
“For iForte’s fX Lifestyle X'nter Wi-Fi access deployment in Jakarta, Firetide competed head to head with established players in the WLAN space,” said Andrie Tjioe, director of iFORTE. “Firetide’s performance, with bandwidth three times higher than competitors at the same cost, combined with centralized WLAN control and wireless mesh capabilities, made their access solution an obvious choice.”
Firetide WLAN Controller is the latest addition to the Firetide Wi-Fi access solution, which includes HotPoint® access points, HotClient™ customer premises equipment, HotView™ network management system, and Firetide Mobility Controller for client and infrastructure mobility. Building on its extensive experience with wireless mesh backhaul, where bandwidth is precious, Firetide designed its access solution to distribute intelligence at the edge, resulting in superior coverage and user experience with only a minimal amount of bandwidth taken up by critical management traffic to the centralized controller.
To facilitate enterprise deployments, Firetide WLAN Controller provides radio power management, Wi-Fi coverage mapping and gap analysis, policy and user management, AAA functionality, mobility, and security features. Integrated DHCP authentication services, plug and play access point configuration, and zero-touch management make the Firetide WLAN solution ideal for small footprints with limited onsite IT staff as well as distributed environments where access points can span buildings, campuses or entire cities.
“Firetide continues to innovate and extend the capabilities of its networks, advancing Firetide’s mission of reliable connectivity anywhere,” said Manish Chandra, product manager, Firetide. “The ability to efficiently and cost-effectively manage WLANs is critical to the commercial success of wireless access deployments, while mesh backhaul enables the network to reach into areas that are cost-prohibitive or impractical to wire.”
Firetide WLAN Controller is available immediately through Firetide distribution channels.
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Keywords: firetide inc, parking garages, wireless portfolio, ubiquitous coverage, management capabilities, video surveillance, outdoor spaces, wireless lan, access networks, networking services, abner, client access, launch, secure connection, access points, mesh
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