Cisco today introduced an integrated 802.11n solution that includes the modular Cisco Aironet 1250 Series access point, an enterprise-class 11n access point, as well as the 48 Gbps scalable Cisco Catalyst 6500-based wireless local-area network controller system, for wired and wireless services.
Cisco’s new Aironet 1250 is said to be the industry’s first Wi-Fi-certified 802.11n draft 2.0 access point and the only commercially available product to have participated in the Wi-Fi Alliance 802.11n draft 2.0 testbed.
The dual-radio Aironet 1250, which will be available next month starting at $1,299, can also be powered through a single Ethernet port.
Extensive 802.11n draft 2.0 joint interoperability testing was conducted with Cisco’s partner Intel at the Intel Oregon testing facility, which is set up to simulate a typical enterprise environment.
More than 90 percent of enterprise laptops have Wi-Fi silicon that is Cisco Compatible Extensions certified, providing the industry’s best capabilities for simple, highly secure connectivity, says the company.
Cisco’s next-generation wireless products supporting 802.11n capabilities include the following:
- Wireless LAN Controller Capacity and Integrated Network Services. Designed to support either a gradual increase or immediate large-scale 802.11n deployment. The Catalyst 6500 allows customers to add controller capacity as required. With the Catalyst 6500 family, Cisco wireless customers can also take advantage of integrated wired and wireless security for both wired and wireless users.
- The new Cisco Unified Wireless Network Software version 4.2 includes enterprise wireless mesh, access point monitoring and migration tools, with unified wired and wireless guest access. In addition, these services incorporate voice-ready wireless enhancements and integrated spectrum analysis.
- Cisco’s Secure Services Client 5.0. enhancements focus on simplified enterprise provisioning of a single client security and management. Version 5.0 provides a greatly improved user interface offering “2 Click Connect” capabilities.
Cisco says their Unified Wireless Network is 802.11n-ready today and has the capacity to efficiently scale to handle the draft standard’s requirements, while maintaining compatibility with current wireless standards like 802.11a/b/g, without requiring a redesign of network infrastructure.
By late 2007 Cisco expects to enable auto-negotiating, single-port power for the Aironet 1250 Access Point on leading switches across the Catalyst portfolio. This unique, integrated solution eliminates the need to run an additional cabling drop or insert a separate power injector.
Duke University is taking advantage of the enhanced mobile performance of 802.11n and the new Cisco Aironet 1250 Series access point. According to Duke’s chief information officer, Tracy Futhey, Cisco and Duke engineers have been working together to configure the wireless network in a residence hall to ensure proper interoperability, performance and design.
The new Cisco Aironet 1250 Series access point is scheduled to be available for ordering next month; corresponding Power-over-Ethernet support via Cisco’s Catalyst switch family is scheduled for later this year.
Cisco’s entry into the emerging enterprise 802.11n market follows in the footsteps of MIMO and draft-based AP work from WiFi startups. Aruba, Bluesocket, and Trapeze which are already working on 802.11n, notes Unstrung.
Broadcom has revised its outlook for 802.11n chips, reports Digitimes, envisioning that 802.11n is unlikely to replace 802.11g as the mainstream technology standard for the WLAN market.
The price difference between 802.11n and 802.11g solutions was a fundamental factor in Broadcom’s shift in outlook for 802.11n chips, according to Michael Hurlston, vice president and general manager of Broadcom’s WLAN business unit.
Broadcom originally expected 802.11n to account for about 25% of global WLAN chip sales by the end of 2007, but has revised the ratio downward to 20% due to slower-than-expected sales of 802.11n chips, Hurlston revealed. The market share gap between 802.11n and 802.11g could still narrow but 802.11g chips will continue to hold a 50% share of the global WLAN chip market, said Hurlston.
Although leading PC vendors, including Hewlett-Packard, Acer and Apple, have launched high-end notebook PCs with built-in 802.11n modules, the bulk of entry- to mid-range notebooks, the growth driver of the PC industry, are normally equipped with an 802.11g module, Hurlston added.
