Cisco unveils a grab bag of wireless LAN products

19.05.2009

* Aironet 1424SB outdoor mesh access point: two radios in the 802.11a 5 GHz band are for dedicated, backhaul sending and receiving to maximize throughput; the third radio supports client access. Price: $4,999.

* 5500 series wireless controller: With an 8Gbps backplane, and optimized for 802.11n networks, the high-end appliance supports from 12 to 250 access points, and thousands of clients. The new flexible licensing scheme lets enterprise customers start small, and add additional licenses to match client growth. List price ranges from $10,995 for a WLAN of as many as 12 access points to $93,995 as many as 250.

* OfficeExtend: Optional software, loaded on Cisco Aironet 1130 and 1140 access points that are linked to a WAN connection. connects securely with a central 5500 controller and downloads and enforces a range of enterprise security and management policies for mobile workers and teleworkers. License is $75 per access point.

* Mobility Services Engine 3310: A lower-end model to the companion 3350 model, the new MSE is aimed at midsize businesses. It's an appliance that runs software programs to collect, store and manage data from wireless clients and Cisco access points and controllers. The MSE can use this data itself for jobs like rogue radio detection, and share it with either higher-end Cisco network applications or with third-party applications, such as wireless asset tracking, and RFID data management. Price: $6,995.

* WebEx Meeting Center version 1.2 for the iPhone: A free download from Apple's App Store; the new version lets the user schedule meetings and invite attendees to join even while the meeting is in progress.