Sputnik, a leading provider of managed Wi-Fi software and hardware, today announced immediate availability of the Sputnik AP 220, a carrier-grade access point based on Gemtek Systems model P-520. It’s a carrier-grade, high-powered Wi-Fi-compliant 802.11b/g access point with 200 mWatt transmit output, industry-standard power over Ethernet (PoE) capability, and a secure wall-mount enclosure with integrated theft protection.
The new access point runs Sputnik’s Agent software so that it can be centrally managed. The Sputnik AP 220 is designed for maximum coverage for large wireless venues such as hotels, multi-tenant dwellings, dormitories, and businesses.
The Sputnik AP 220, like all Sputnik-Powered access points, can provision itself, authenticate end users, and participate in a centrally managed wireless network. End users who join a Sputnik-Powered network are tracked by Sputnik Control Center server software, which supports a variety of billing and roaming options.
“We view the partnership with Sputnik to be important, because together we are leading the way in bringing to the market public-facing wireless networks with the features needed by businesses and institutions,” said Lee Wang, Gemtek Systems vice president. “Gemtek Systems access points have the power and range that keep costs down and performance high for network operators.”
The high-performance Sputnik AP 220 access point features an integrated high-gain diversity antenna to cover very large hotspots. It is IEEE 802.3.af compliant, enabling it to be powered over standard Ethernet cabling, reducing installation and maintenance costs.
Wireless providers can purchase the Sputnik AP 220 directly from Sputnik’s site. Alternatively, they can order P-520 units from Gemtek Systems distributors, and re-flash them with the Sputnik Agent, available for free from Sputnik and Gemtek Systems Web sites.
“Our customers can choose whether they want to purchase a fully integrated system from Sputnik, or buy Gemtek P-520s and re-flash them so they plug-and-play into a Sputnik-powered network,” said David LaDuke, Sputnik CEO.
Sputnik’s Wi-Fi software centralizes the wireless network and subscriber management tasks. Their networks are in place at over 750 hotels, colleges, transportation sites, and commercial locations all over the world.
Sputnik provides these features through its innovative software:
- Sputnik Control Center software running on an Intel-based server in the operator’s data center, or
- SputnikNet hosted servicer, which provides all of the features of Sputnik Control Center on an ASP basis, and
- Sputnik Agent software embedded in wireless access points such as the Gemtek Systems P-520
Together, these software components enable plug-n-play provisioning of new Sputnik APs onto the network, remote configuration and software updates, user authentication, bandwidth tracking, and user policy management.
Even a widely dispersed Sputnik network can be managed over the Internet through a secure Web browser, and standard interfaces means operators can easily integrate Sputnik into a variety of third-party authentication, billing, roaming, and network management systems.
The Sputnik AP 220 is available immediately for $199 at Sputnik’s online store. Free Sputnik Agent software for the Gemtek Systems P-520 can be downloaded from both Sputnik and Gemtek Systems Web sites. Sputnik Control Center software licenses and SputnikNet subscriptions, either of which is necessary to operate a Sputnik-Powered Network, can be purchased from Sputnik.
