BelAir Extends Reach and Security Of WLANs And Wireless Mesh Networks

BelAir Networks has released three new products designed to extend the reach, capacity, and security of Wide Area Wi-Fi networks and wireless mesh networks.

The new BelAir100 Multi-Service Wireless Switch Router offers more economical network design options for large hot zone and high-density metro wireless deployments and enables extended Wi-Fi applications for smaller standalone enterprise networks. It can terminate a BelAir mesh, can be used as a mesh edge node, or can provide wireless broadband access to single buildings. A medium-sized hotel, for example, might use two BelAir100 nodes, one on either side, to project Wi-Fi into the building.

The new 802.11g Access Radio Module 2 (ARM2) delivers more capacity, security and application flexibility for large Wi-Fi networks, and can form the infrastructure for voice over Wi-Fi. It lets service providers run multiple, secure, high-capacity applications on BelAir's multi-service, cellular LAN architecture. It also adheres to the secure IEEE 802.11i standard, and can support enhanced voice and multi-media applications made possible by the upcoming 802.11e standard.

The new Backhaul Radio Module 2 (BRM2) is a worldwide backhaul radio for its modular wireless networking systems, designed for large-scale wireless mesh networks. Designed as an option for both the BelAir100 and BelAir200 wireless networking systems, it supports data rates up to 54 Mbps in the 5 GHz band. It includes Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) and Transmit Power Control (TPC) for the 5 GHz band. DFS detects and avoids interference with other protected communications operating in the 5 GHz band such as radar. TPC automatically adjusts the transmit power in a system to reduce average power levels and interference.