May 2, 2006
Las Vegas, Nev.-May 2, 2006-Bluesocket, Inc., the leader in open wireless network, security and management solutions, and Airgo Networks, Inc., the world leader in high performance wireless technology, today announced the first enterprise-class Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) wireless Access Point (AP). The two companies unveiled and demonstrated the new product at the Interop Las Vegas 2006 conference.
Developed by Bluesocket using Airgo's TrueMIMOTM chipset, the BlueSecureTM Access Point 1700 (BSAP-1700) provides a greater than 30 percent increase in range and overall performance with standard 802.11a/b/g clients than APs using legacy 802.11 technologies. The BSAP-1700 integrates a sophisticated internal six antenna array-instead of the usual one or two antennas found in most APs-that combines multiple signal paths to create one "super signal," providing significantly better in-building wireless coverage.
Industry analysts like Gartner, Inc. estimate that Wi-Fi Alliance certification of the next-generation wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, 802.11n (sometimes termed "n"), is at least a year away. The benefits of this new technology include higher speed and further range, but Gartner does not expect maturation, and "recommends inclusion of the technology be postponed until 2007" (Gartner, Inc., 802.11n: An Update on Next-generation Wi-Fi, Ken Dulaney, March 29, 2006).
Conversely, the BSAP-1700 is 100% compatible with all existing Wi-Fi Alliance certified 802.11a/b/g clients and APs. This means enterprises do not need to upgrade or replace their existing wireless client devices or infrastructure to take advantage of its superior performance.
"Because 802.11n standards-based products aren't due out yet for another year, it is advisable that enterprises simply ignore 802.11n for now and proceed with meeting their needs using products available on the market," said Aaron Vance, senior analyst at Synergy Research Group. "The approach taken by Bluesocket and Airgo to incorporate MIMO technology into an enterprise-class AP that is compatible with a/b/g clients gives companies an option today to boost the performance of their WLANs while waiting for 'n' to be certified."
The BSAP-1700 is currently undergoing beta trials and is expected to be generally available this July. Its innovative modular design allows end users to easily upgrade radio cards in the field to support 802.11n when the standard is formally ratified. This gives enterprises the ability to deploy higher performance MIMO wireless technology today without compromising interoperability, requiring extensive network changes or requiring "forklift" replacement of deployed APs.
"We are very excited that Bluesocket shares Airgo's vision of delivering wireless quality and speeds that are so fast, users don't give up anything to disconnect their Ethernet," said Greg Raleigh, CEO at Airgo Networks. "Wireless is a big productivity enhancer for the enterprise. Moreover, one of the most expensive components of the enterprise network is wire installation and related moves, adds, deletes and or other changes. The Bluesocket and Airgo solution based on Airgo's third generation of MIMO technology is a no-risk, high benefit solution for the future of enterprise LAN deployment."
Like all Bluesocket APs, the BSAP-1700 features zero-configuration technology that allows administrators to simply plug in the AP anywhere on a routed or switched network and not worry about configuration, individual firmware updates and having to re-configure their existing wired infrastructure with wireless VLANs or special routing protocols. BlueSecureTM Access Points will automatically locate a BlueSecureTM Controller, update their configuration/firmware and tunnel all their traffic over existing infrastructure without changes. The BSAP-1700 is also designed to support DynamicRFTM, multiple SSIDs, 802.11e Quality of Service (QoS) and the rest of Bluesocket's award winning enterprise feature portfolio.
"The MIMO AP marks an important milestone for Bluesocket's complete wireless LAN solution and an advance forward in functionality for customers," added Mads Lillelund, CEO at Bluesocket. "But it doesn't stop there. We have several more technology advancements in the works and our customers can expect even more innovation from Bluesocket in the near future."
Bluesocket and Airgo will be demonstrating the BSAP-1700 at Interop on May 2-4, at booth #1461. Airgo will also be exhibiting at the conference at booth #ER 3.
About Bluesocket
Founded in 1999, Bluesocket is the leader in open wireless network, security and management solutions. Its complete WLAN solution portfolio delivers trust and simplicity to increasingly complex wireless networks. Thousands of BlueSecure Controllers, Access Points, Intrusion Detection Systems and BlueView Management Systems are deployed by leading enterprises including Harvard University, Honeywell, Universal Health Services, Toyota, Parker Hannifin and others who require a higher quality of WLAN service. Bluesocket's long-standing expertise in wireless and security has attracted a large customer base that spans enterprise, education, healthcare, government, library and public access markets. Bluesocket customers can profit from their wireless networks by protecting existing investments, maximizing ROI, and increasing their competitive edge. For more information, please visit http://www.bluesocket.com.
About Airgo Networks, Inc.
The founders of Airgo Networks have pioneered a wireless communication technique known as Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). A breakthrough in wireless, MIMO OFDM has been adopted as the foundation for defining the new IEEE 802.11n standard for next generation Wi-Fi®. Airgo is first-to-market with 802.11a/b/g-compliant MIMO enhanced chipset, software and reference design solutions. Now in its third generation, Airgo's True MIMOTM technology has surpassed the speed of wireline connections, enabling the most bandwidth-intensive applications and eliminating the need for wires at home, at work, and in public places. Founded in January 2001, the company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, USA.
Related Member:
Zenas Hutcheson
Related Company:
Bluesocket, Inc.