Wireless systems specialist Ruckus announced the launch of a free Smart WiFi mobile application, the Smart Wireless Installation and Provisioning Engine (Swipe), to help field technicians and IT personnel install and configure the company’s ZoneFlex access points (APs) in distributed deployments using mobile devices such as iPhones, iPads, smartphones, and tablets.
Deploying a new AP simply requires scanning the barcode of the AP, entering in the AP name, taking a picture of the installed AP, and choosing a configuration profile (AP Group) for that AP.
With the app, system integrators and carriers or service providers can more easily register the Ruckus APs deployed on their WiFi networks onto centralized management systems such as the SmartCell Gateway (SCG) 200 or virtual SmartCell Gateway (vSCG).
The app also updates the SCG or vSCG with data about the AP, including location specific details (such as pictures or location) and validates AP connectivity.
It can also search for APs by name as well as by proximity and error condition, and upon first boot up, the AP will connect with the Ruckus SCG or vSCG and automatically download the appropriate configurations.
Users can email information about the AP, such as serial numbers, MAC addresses, AP model numbers, firmware version, location (Latitude/Longitude), and as-built pictures.
Swipe is now available for Apple iPads and iPhones (Ruckus notes the devices must be running iOS 7 or later) through the Apple iTunes App Store, and for Android smartphones and tablets through the Google Play store.
In order for the user to perform any tasks, they first need to log into the controller (Ruckus SCG or vSCG), which performs the user level security settings. Through the SCG or vSCG, standard Role Based Authentication can then be performed.
In addition, Swipe makes it possible to remotely manage or troubleshoot existing APs by reducing errors in configuration and log updates, locating and navigating to APs in the field through GPS on a host of mapping applications, and triaging problem APs by sorting on alarm severity and proximity.
"At Ruckus, our goal is to not only improve WiFi technology, but to constantly help make it simpler and easier to use so users can spend their time on more value-added tasks," Amit Rele, senior principal product line manager at Ruckus, told eWeek. "Mobile apps and smartphones are at the forefront of our ambitions, because we can take advantage of the connected infrastructure, capabilities and their rapid proliferation so people can perform their jobs more accurately and efficiently, and from anywhere."
The app can also test the performance of existing APs and store the data, and reports can then be emailed from the application and printed or reviewed elsewhere.
The app is the newest mobile management application within a suite of Ruckus designed and developed mobile tools developed by the company to help save time and increase productivity and efficiency.
These include Ruckus ZD (ZoneDirector) Remote Control, the SpeedFlex Wireless Assessment Tool (SWAT), SpeedFlex, and Zapper, real-time wireless assessment and performance testing tools that assist system integrators, value-added resellers (VARs) and network administrators, and in validating the performance of their existing WLAN installations, and assist in the planning and maintenance of new site deployments.
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