Cisco provides a rich line of wireless networking products and technologies designed to increase employee output, simplify collaboration, and sharpen interactions between workers, partners, and clients. This solution supports fast business-critical applications and creates a safe, mobile, interactive workplace so that companies can exceed client expectations, stay ahead of their competition, and profit from a measurable payback on investment. Cisco wireless technologies familiar to Progent include wireless access points, bridges, wireless LAN controllers, and client devices.
Cisco's Unified Wireless infrastructure offers economical wireless networks for business-critical mobility. Cisco's products support the same level of protection, scalability, and ease of management for wireless LANs that companies expect in their wired environments. This includes integrated enterprise-class security that identifies, prevents, and adapts to familiar and new security attacks. It supports integrated mobility services such as voice services, positioning services, guest connectivity, and enhanced security. Cisco technology has the versatility and scalability to satisfy the requirements of networks of all sizes, from small businesses to global corporations, for wireless LAN campus deployments or branch offices. Cisco's Unified Wireless Network technology allows companies to exploit their wireless infrastructure to streamline the way they do business and improve productivity through a mobile and connected workforce. Cisco's wireless products lower overall operational expenses and facilitate network implementation, management, and support.
Aironet Wireless Access Points (WAPs)
Cisco access points (WAPs) provide protected, easy-to-manage, and dependable connectivity with outstanding coverage and performance. Lightweight wireless access points operate in conjunction with Cisco's wireless local area network controllers and Wireless Control System. Cisco provides wireless access points with either single WiFi wireless transceiver for as high as 54 Mbps of throughput or dual 802.11g transceiver LAN access points handling both 802.11g and 802.11a to deliver up to 108 Mbps of network capacity. The Aironet line features WAPs intended for workplaces and ordinary indoor facilities, for noisy RF environments such as factories and warehouses, and for the outdoors. These wireless access points can be installed on desks, on walls, on ceilings, above ceilings, and on poles. Cisco Wireless Mesh access points enable cost-effective, scalable installation of secure outdoor wireless networks utilizing Mesh networking.
All Cisco Aironet Wireless access points support the Cisco Structured Wireless-Aware Network (SWAN), an architecture for wired and wireless interfacing that delivers high degrees of protection, manageability, and important services.
Aironet 1000 or 1130AG family wireless access points are intended for offices and similar locations which have minimal environmental variability. These products have built-in antennas that provide dependable omnidirectional range profiles. The Aironet 1130G Series device is designed for restricted locations that do not allow 802.11a operation.
Cisco Aironet 1230AG/1240AG family access points are designed for more challenging radio frequency environments such as manufacturing plants and warehouses or above suspended ceilings which often call for flexible protruding antennas and durable cases. The Aironet 1240G family access point is intended for controlled domains that do not permit 802.11a transmission.
Aironet 1500 lightweight outdoor wireless mesh access points provide an affordable, expandable, protected outdoor wireless solution for enterprise campus and public access for portable phones or computers in outdoor areas.
Cisco Aironet Wireless Bridges
Cisco wireless LAN bridges provide a high-speed and multi-featured technology for integrating numerous LANs in a metropolitan situation or public access environment. Cisco Aironet wireless LAN bridges provide a versatile, manageable technology that satisfies the security requirements of wide-area networking specialists. These devices support both PTP and P2MP configurations with excellent range and support for traffic throughput up to 54 Mbps.
Cisco Aironet wireless bridges deliver data rates substantially faster than E1/T1 connections for far less expense, doing away with the requirement for costly leased lines when linking different buildings. Since bridges carry no recurring costs, the expenses saved on connection services rapidly pay for the startup equipment costs. Self-installed private lines and even leased lines made of metal or fiber-optic cable often require considerable up-front costs if they are impeded by barriers like highways, train tracks, or lakes and rivers. Cisco wireless bridges can be deployed rapidly with a fast return on investment.
Aironet 1300 family outdoor access points/bridges can be deployed as independent wireless access points, wireless bridges, or wireless group bridges. These appliances have a ruggedized cover and provide high-speed, economical wireless interfaces between numerous fixed or mobile environments and users.
Cisco Aironet 1400 wireless bridges provide high-performance, reliable outdoor connections for LOS applications. These devices are housed in a durable cover that is optimized for harsh outside environments and function within extended temperature ranges.
Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Cards
Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters connect a variety of products to a wireless environment either in impromptu client-to-client mode or in infrastructure mode with wireless LAN access points. Aironet Wireless LAN Adapters work with Aironet infrastructure devices to provide transparent wireless network solutions.
Available in CardBus, PCMCIA and PCI packages, Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters easily attach PC and portable computing devices to the wireless LAN in 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g-compatible networks. Using Cisco Wireless Client Adapters, companies can quickly add additional employees to a network, support ad hoc teams, or offer web access in meeting rooms.
With a hefty 100 milliwatts (mW) of transmit power and the top receive sensitivity in the industry, the Cisco Aironet 350 Wireless LAN Client Adapters boast the longest range and top dependability available for wireless clients. Sophisticated engineering in the Cisco 350 Client cards helps manage the destructive interference often found in busy offices. Smart filtering addresses RF noise that can degrade system performance.
The Cisco Aironet 350 Client cards provide outstanding throughput so users can enjoy practically the same connectivity they gain from wired interfaces. Designed with DSSS engineering and operating in the 2.4-GHz spectrum, the Aironet 350 Series LAN Client Adapters adhere to the 802.11b standard, allowing compatibility with all other compliant WLAN products.
Cisco WLAN Controllers
Cisco Wireless Controllers are responsible for centralized wireless network functions, including integrated IPS, real-time RF management, zero touch configuration, and full N+1 redundancy. Cisco WLAN controllers operate with lightweight wireless LAN access points and a management mechanism to deliver superior throughput and advanced control capabilities.
Wireless LAN Controllers offer the manageability, scalability, protection, and dependability that IT managers require to create safe, enterprise-scale wireless networks, from satellite locations, to small businesses, to headquarter campuses. Cisco WLCs can be configured together to provide accommodation for up to 2400 wireless access points for each roaming domain.
Cisco's WLCM or WLCM-E Wireless LAN Controller Module for Integrated Services (IS) Routers offers small-to medium businesses and large corporations an affordable solution to implement and control secure WLANs at satellite offices. These devices manage as many as 12 Aironet lightweight access points and are installable in 2800/3800 Integrated Services Routers and 3700 Integrated Services Routers.
The Cisco 2106 Wireless LAN Controller works. operates together with Cisco Aironet lightweight access points and Cisco's Wireless Control System (WCS) to provide centralized wireless network functions. Cisco's 2106 Series WLC handles as many as six Cisco Aironet lightweight wireless access points, making it an affordable alternative for multi-controller architectures common for enterprise satellite office installations. The Cisco 2106 Series Wireless LAN Controller may also be used for single device solutions for small and midsize company environments. The Cisco 2106 WLC includes eight Ethernet ports, two of which can provide power directly to Aironet lightweight WAPs.
Cisco's 4400 Series WLC offers centralized wireless LAN features for mid-size to enterprise environments. The Cisco 4400 Series Wireless LAN Controller operates in conjunction with Aironet lightweight wireless access points, the the Cisco Wireless Control System, and the Cisco Wireless Location Appliance to support business-critical wireless data, voice, and video applications. Cisco's 4400 WLC offers real-time communication between Cisco lightweight WAPs and other wireless controllers to deliver centralized security policies, intrusion prevention system functions, outstanding RF control, quality of service (QoS), and mobility.
How Progent's Consultants Can Help Your Company with Cisco Wireless Technology
Progent can provide a certified CCIE or Cisco Certified Network Professional to help you to develop a comprehensive wireless network design and implementation strategy that integrates a wide range of wireless devices and technologies and provides the same security, expandability, and manageability you demand from your wired environment. Progent can assist you to achieve transparent interoperability between Cisco wireless technology and wireless products from third-party suppliers to offer your company the functionality you need plus the most secure, dependable, and economical wireless networking system available. Progent's CISA and ISSAP security professionals can show you how to build protection into your wireless network and into your business processes.
For a further discussion of Progent's wireless consulting capabilities, see Progent's Wireless Network Consulting.
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In order to contact Progent about consulting help for Cisco networking, call 1-800-993-9400 or e-mail cisco-help@progent.com.
