Ruckus Wireless, which makes innovative, consumer-priced beamed WiFi devices, today announced a new one, the $200 MediaFlex Hotspot (HS). Ruckus says it delivers a collection of features and functionality not available in any low-end consumer product or high end enterprise system. Users can create multiple SSIDs on the repeater, each with unique characteristics — customized for voice, data and video channels, for example.
The MediaFlex HS (specs) uses a patented BeamFlex high-gain smart antenna and optimizes traffic for delay-sensitive voice and video. The new HS also claims to deliver unsurpassed density - supporting up to 20 concurrent voice calls, a dozen or more IP video streams (depending on end device and compression) and 50 data clients.
Unique broadcast, QoS, security and management policies can be assigned to multiple SSIDs supported by the MediaFlex HS.
Integrated spectrum monitoring can be performed remotely by the operator (perhaps a municipal wireless system) for easier troubleshooting. Adaptive controls, such as continuous channel selection and beam steering, provide resilience to the changing RF environment.
The Ruckus MediaFlex Hotspot (HS) was developed to meet the increasing demands of hotspot operators that must now deal with a new mix of end users, a plethora of Wi-Fi-enabled devices and multimedia applications all within a high density, dymanic environment, says Ruckus.
The Ruckus MediaFlex HS enables operators to reliably deliver voice, video and data traffic and to isolate this traffic within separate virtual networks. This lets operators more easily charge for premium services, voice or FMC services, IPTV or video services.
Support for up to four unique BSSIDs lets operators uniquely segment traffic and services. Each BSSID can be assigned unique security, broadcast, QoS and management parameters. Within a single system, operators now have the flexibility to, for instance, offer open access, secure premium access, voice support, and video services. The MediaFlex HS supports an array of encryption techniques including WEP, WPA, WPA-PSK, and 802.1X authentication, costs $199 and is available now.
“Ruckus is going up against companies like Cisco and Colubris, both of which have enterprise-class wireless LAN offerings, of which the hotspot market is only a part,” said Chris Silva, an analyst with Forrester Research. “And the next logical step for Ruckus, the mesh and muni Wi-Fi space, will also involve entrenched players such as Motorola-Symbol, and Proxim,” he said.
Feed this $200 box with a $40/month Mobile WiMAX connection from Clearwire and you’re talking about a serious contender for Municipal WiFi — without the $100K/sq. mile part.
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