I got to see Symbol Technologies Mobius Wireless System in action at the recent NetWorld+Interop show in Atlanta and was impressed by its neat use of technology and thoughtful design.
Symbol uses the all-but-final 802.3af Power over Ethernet specification to make the Mobius Axon access port—a radio frequency transmitter combined with an RF-to-Ethernet converter—simple to install by doing away with the need to run an external power supply to the device. The access port connects to a Mobius Axon wireless switch that provides configuration, management and security for the ports.
Slated to ship next month, the Mobius system will likely lower expenditures on wireless while easing maintenance costs.
The Axon wireless switch supports six to 30 ports and ranges in price from $2,895 to $6,191. The Axon access port for 802.11b is $249. (An 802.11a version of the access port is expected early next year.)
IT managers who already have non-802.3af, in-line power network devices should still be able to use the Mobius system. The access ports will also work with all previously released Power over Ethernet implementations.