Aruba Touts Security, 802.11n Plans

Aruba Networks this week announced new software to enable enterprise wireless users to access the same capabilities when traveling that they access in the office. The vendor also released a technical white paper at the Interop show in Las Vegas detailing its 802.11n architecture and product plans.

Aruba's new Mobile Access Point software delivers enterprise connectivity and "follow-me" security by enabling role-based user access controls, stateful firewall and split tunneling in any Aruba access point into which it is loaded. One feature, HotelConnect, lets users access hotel Internet connections using dual-mode phones that are traditionally blocked by hotel billing and portal systems. To optimize local traffic flow, the software's split-tunneling feature directs only corporate traffic back to the Mobility Controller, while Internet access and printer traffic remain local.

Also debuting is new enterprise FMC Mobile Voice Continuity software, which provides hand-offs between an Aruba wireless LAN and a cellular network. The software runs on an Aruba Mobility Controller and works with a standard SIP-based IP PBX to bridge calls between networks without intervention by the user.

Aruba Mobile Access Point software will ship in July; FMC Mobile Voice Continuity software is slated for the fourth quarter.The 802.11n white paper, available this week at Interop, discusses design and architecture considerations of deploying 802.11n-based networks.

"802.11n migration requires new clients and gigabit Ethernet rewiring, both of which are expensive propositions," according to Peter Thornycroft, author of the white paper and Aruba's wireless OS and application manager. "Unless there is a compelling and urgent need to deploy pre-standard devices, users are advised to wait until the 802.11n standard has been ratified and standards-based clients are available."