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    • Mobile

    New Wireless Switches Think Small

    Written by

    Andrew Garcia
    Published February 28, 2005
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      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      With the rapid proliferation of centralized wireless LAN solutions geared toward smaller networks (and priced accordingly), eWEEK Labs expects that more small businesses and remote offices will turn to the wireless switch platform and its “thin” access points.

      Despite recent contractions in the marketplace, wireless switches are an extremely attractive alternative to “thick,” or intelligent, access points for enterprises of all sizes. Many of the early wireless switch systems were targeted at midsize and larger networks, but the combination of services that newer devices deliver is just as compelling for smaller networks, given the right price point and port density.

      Last years ratification of the IEEE 802.11i security standard and the resulting WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) certification program have solved the encryption problems that plagued early WLANs and allowed businesses of all sizes to begin seriously considering adoption of wireless technology. But taking advantage of 802.11i means replacing devices that cant support the standards AES (Advanced Encryption Standard).

      /zimages/2/28571.gifClick here to read more about how 802.11i strenghtens Wi-Fi security.

      Implementing the strongest WLAN security—AES with 802.1x port-based authentication can be a complicated undertaking for companies that lack appropriate AAA (Authentication, Authorization and Accounting) services on their networks. Some wireless switch vendors are bridging this gap by integrating AAA services, eliminating the need for customers to install and maintain a separate RADIUS server just for the wireless network.

      Wireless switches require only a single point of configuration to control the entire network, including security, RF (radio frequency) management, monitoring and software version control.

      In addition to the gains wireless switches represent for security and management of WLANs, these devices also provide 802.3af-compliant POE (power over Ethernet) to power access points. This means that companies only need to pull Ethernet cable to deploy access points.

      The best branch-office wireless switches will also provide some measure of wireless intrusion detection capabilities, helping detect and locate wireless attacks, such as man-in-middle or DoS (denial of service), without requiring separate overlay defensive networks.

      /zimages/2/28571.gifRead reviews of two small-office WLAN switches here.

      Detection of rogue access points is fairly common in this class of products. Administrators should also expect intelligence that can detect whether a rogue is connected to the protected network and to be able to send deauthorization signals that deny access to an intruder and help locate the device quickly.

      Technical Analyst Andrew Garcia can be reached at [email protected].

      /zimages/2/28571.gifCheck out eWEEK.coms for the latest news, reviews and analysis on mobile and wireless computing.

      Andrew Garcia
      Andrew Garcia
      Andrew cut his teeth as a systems administrator at the University of California, learning the ins and outs of server migration, Windows desktop management, Unix and Novell administration. After a tour of duty as a team leader for PC Magazine's Labs, Andrew turned to system integration - providing network, server, and desktop consulting services for small businesses throughout the Bay Area. With eWEEK Labs since 2003, Andrew concentrates on wireless networking technologies while moonlighting with Microsoft Windows, mobile devices and management, and unified communications. He produces product reviews, technology analysis and opinion pieces for eWEEK.com, eWEEK magazine, and the Labs' Release Notes blog. Follow Andrew on Twitter at andrewrgarcia, or reach him by email at [email protected].

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