Dell, Aruba Networks Partner on PowerConnect W-Series

Dell and Aruba Networks announced a multiyear agreement to deliver Aruba’s wireless networking solutions under the Dell PowerConnect W-Series, designed to help customers more efficiently deploy and manage wireless networking solutions and expand Dell’s existing PowerConnect portfolio to deliver networking capabilities from the core to the edge.
The PowerConnect W-Series is designed to prioritize bandwidth based on application demands in a dynamic network. Through a centralized management console, the solutions are designed to allow IT professionals to manage thousands of wireless access points, while end users will benefit from anywhere, anytime access to information and applications.
“As enterprise users of Dell technologies become more mobile, the PowerConnect W-Series delivers best-of-breed, centrally managed wireless networking solutions. Wireless LAN is a perfect complement to our existing PowerConnect networking solutions and helps Dell deliver a comprehensive, end-to-end solution,” said Brad Anderson, Dell’s senior vice president of enterprise product group. “Our collaboration with Aruba delivers solutions that meet end users’ demanding needs for bandwidth and IT administrators’ needs for security and manageability.”
Based on open standards and interoperable with a range of existing networking solutions, the PowerConnect W-Series family will include W-3000 Series Controllers, which deliver secure, mobile connectivity for data, voice and video applications; W-600 Series Small Business and Branch Office Controllers, offering mobile connectivity and features including Power-over-Ethernet; and file/print server options and Access Point solutions, including the PowerConnect W-AP92/W-AP93 Single Radio, PowerConnect W-AP105 Dual-Radio and PowerConnect W-AP124/W-AP125 Dual-Radio 3×3 MIMO solutions, all supporting 802.11a/b/g/n industry standards.
W-Series Controllers are designed to enable integration into an organization’s existing network to extend network resources to the company’s mobile work force. The series of wireless networking products are expected to be available to customers in North America and much of Europe this quarter, with other countries in the near future. Solutions will be available through Dell and its PartnerDirect channel partners, according to a company release.
Hitesh Sheth, Aruba’s COO, said the increasingly mobile work force is driving major changes in how enterprise networks are designed. “Continuous secure network access within and outside the enterprise is essential to productivity. Validated by more than 11,000 customers worldwide, Aruba’s 802.11n wireless LANs and remote access technology deliver the secure and reliable network access required by mobile users. With this agreement, our best secure mobility solutions are now available under the Dell brand, which is world renowned for value and service.”