Xirrus Upgrades Central Management Tool

Enterprise wireless network maker Xirrus released version 6.2 of its management system on August 14 with enhancements that focus on locating and providing additional security.

Xirrus Management System (XMS) 6.2 is a no cost upgrade for users with a current support contract.

In the enterprise Wi-Fi space, Xirrus claim to fame is reduced cabling and closet costs because the controller is built into the radio array. The arrays use a circular, flying saucer-like physical configuration that is stuffed with radios designed to shape the coverage area. The point of the Xirrus architecture is to be as decentralized as possible.

The one exception to decentralization is the XMS 6.2 upgrade will provide a number of enhancements that, for the most part, more effectively use data that the Xirrus arrays already provide to the management console. According to Xirrus, among other things, the new version of XMS can discover and install Xirrus Arrays, use wireless coverage statistics to provide heat maps, and providing more performance, traffic and client access reporting.

This version of XMS can also take one radio in a multi-radio Xirrus array and convert it into a full-time “police scanner” that constantly cycles through the radio channels looking for rogue access points and intrusion attempts.