The new controller will come with a software upgrade to the new Cisco Unified Wireless Network Software Release 4.0, which helps integrate wired and wireless networks, Cisco officials said. It will sell for $20,500 for support for up to 25 access points, Cisco said.

Siles said the integration of wired and wireless hardware lowers the need for separate parallel functions for such things as security on two networks. He plans to add the new controller next year as the county's network grows. "It really means fewer moving parts, which will result in savings for us," he said.

Cisco also announced new software features across eight service modules for the Catalyst 6500 switch line, including the availability of a Wireless Services Module for greater scale with WiFi access points. Brad Sandt, lead network engineer at the Park Hill School District in Parkville, Mo., said four Wireless Services Modules have been recently installed to distribute security and other functions to about 900 access points in the school district.

Park Hill resorted to using WiFi to support laptops instead of building computer classrooms, which would have been much more expensive, he said. The system also has about 1,100 IP telephones, he said.