New ZoneFlex APs and Beamflex from Ruckus

Ruckus recently announced the launch of two new access points, the 7982 and the 7321. Discover the features of these new wireless APs below:

ZoneFlex 7982 Dual Band 3×3:3 802.11n Smart Wifi Access Point

• Dual-band, three-stream 802.11n access point; 3X3:3 MIMO
• Includes Ruckus BeamFlex adaptive antenna arrays
• Supports up to 500 concurrent clients
• Functions as a standalone AP or as part of a centrally-managed Wireless LAN
• Reduce Wifi interference with 15dB of interference mitigation
• Dual polarized antennas
• Support for IP voice and video over Wifi
• 802.11a/b/g/n
• Designed for airports, public venues, hotels, universities, and conference centers

ZoneFlex 7321 Smart Dual-Band Selectable 802.11n Access Point

• Dual-stream entry-level 802.11n access point; dual-band 2×2:2 (2.4GHz or 5 GHz selectable)
• Integrated band steering, airtime fairness and capacity-driven channel selection
• Ceiling, wall or desktop mountable
• 802.11a/b/g/n
• Suitable for small businesses, remote offices, or hotspot locations
• Operates as a standalone wireless router or part of a centrally managed Smart WLAN

BeamFlex Smart Antenna System

• Antenna array with multiple high-gain directional antenna elements
• Dynamically configures and re-configures “beam” to achieve omnidirectional coverage
• Up to 9 dBi signal gain and 15 dB interference mitigation

Related Articles

• Motorola’s AP7161 Outdoor 802.11n Mesh Access Point
• Cisco 3600 Series Access Points

The Advantages of 802.11n

What is n?

802.11n uses 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies and MIMO antenna technology to bring improved wifi performance. It increases wireless speed from 54mbps to 600mbps and allows for fewer interruptions. Deploying n on a legacy network, unfortunately, can be problematic because high bandwidth applications could “choke” wifi controllers and the wired network.

What is MIMO?

MIMO stands for multiple-input, multiple-output. It allows multiple streams of data to provide additional paths on which data can travel. It works best in reflective environments.

Do I really need 802.11n?

If the wireless network you currently have installed is not affecting your wireless performance or connectivity, then there isn’t any reason to consider an upgrade for the time being. However, if your business’ efficiency is being interrupted, then it might be time to consider upgrading your wireless system.

Recent Posts

• Preventing “Memory Effect” in your Batteries
• Things You Need to Know About Thermal Printers
• How to Calculate ROI (Return on Investment) for RFID
• There’s No Reason to Dread Upgrading Your Data System and Equipment

Are You Using the Right Optical Fiber? Single Mode Fiber VS Multi Mode Fiber

Optical fiber is typically defined by its size, attenuation and bandwidth and it works by sending signal down hair-thin strands of glass or plastic fiber.  When choosing fiber it is important to consider how it will be used. Is it device to device? Does it need to be run horizontal/intra-office (single floor but multiple rooms), rise/intrabuilding (run between floors), aerial (strung from utility poles and self-supporting), direct burial, duct, submarine or inside-outside? Determining the environment in which the fiber will be installed will help simplify the decision-making process.

The two types of fiber most commonly used are singlemode and multimode fibers. Both multimode and singlemode fibers are slightly larger than a human hair but the way light travels through the two types of fiber varies significantly.  Light travels through multimode fiber in many rays or modes.  Multimode fiber has a larger core and it is typically used for slower area networks. Singlemode fiber, on the other hand, has a smaller core which allows light to travel in only one ray or mode. It is used for telephones and CATV.

Singlemode fiber is usually considered to be one size and type (with the exception of specialty singlemode fibers). Multimode, in comparison, originally came in several sizes for use in various networks or sources but has since been standardized to a single size (62.5 core fiber).

An important thing to keep in mind is that fibers cannot be mixed and/or matched. Mixing singlemode and multimode fiber can cause significant loss in power (up to 99%).

Some of the features of single-mode fiber versus multi-mode fiber:

	Single-Mode Fiber	Multi-Mode Fiber
Bandwidth	Virtually Unlimited	Less
Signal Quality	Excellent Long Distance	Excellent Short Distance
Primary Attenuation	Chromatic Dispersion	Modal Dispersion
Fiber Types	Step Index and Dispersion Shifted	Step and Graded Index
Typical Applications	Almost Anything	Analog Video, Short Range Communications

If you have any further questions regarding the use of singlemode and multimode fiber, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Related Posts

• How to Calculate ROI (Return on Investment) for RFID
• The Advantages of 802.11n

Motorola’s NX 4500/6500 Integrated Services Platform

The new NX 4500/6500 integrated services platform by Motorola gives users the ability to perform a variety of functions with a single device.  Instead of needing multiple devices to manage data and mobile voice services, businesses can now perform all the same functions with this single interface.

The features of the NX4500/6500 include the Wing 5 wireless controller, 24-port PoE Ethernet switch, T1 and Ethernet WAN interfaces, Firewall and VPN, AAA services, DHCP/DNS and wireless IDS/IPS.

Related Posts

• Motorola Unveils the DS3500-ER Series Scanners
• Motorola MC2100: An Affordable and Smaller Alternative to the MC9000 Series
• Motorola’s AP7161 Outdoor 802.11n Mesh Access Point

Cisco 3600 Series Access Points

Cisco recently launched the new 3600 Series Access Points to improve wireless performance and connectivity with a variety of new features and options. The 3600 AP units have been shipping since November 2011, and have become the company’s “flagship” indoor AP.

In comparison to Cisco’s other indoor units, the 3600 does everything better, faster and with fewer interruptions. With 30% faster performance, 4X4 MIMO, ClientLink 2.0, and Clean Air Technology, the 3600 Series AP units give users an improved wifi experience.

Some of the features of the 3600 series units include:

• black, gray or white antennas
• wall mounts (they also fit into the 3500 wall mounts for easy integration)
• 4X4.3 radio and 450 Mbps data rate
• 3 spacial streams
• the option of add-on modules
• 802.11n
• the ability to support up to 128 devices

The Cisco Aironet 3600i is an indoor, dual-band AP unit with integrated (internal) antennas and 802.11 a/g/n. It can be purchased as a single unit or as a ten pack.

The Cisco Aironet 3600e is an indoor, dual-band AP unit with external antennas and is equipped to handle more challenging environments. It is also 802.11 a/g/n and it can be purchased as a single unit or as a ten pack.

The first add-on module which will be released in 2012 will allow the unit to conduct full monitoring, rogue detection, security and more simultaneously without affecting wifi performance.

If you are interested in upgrading your wireless system, we offer a buyback program that allows you to trade-in your existing AP units for credit towards new wifi hardware. Visit our website to find out more about our wireless network solutions.

Related Articles

• Motorola’s Ap7161 Outdoor 802.11 Mesh Access Point

Motorola’s AP7161 Outdoor 802.11n Mesh Access Point

The launch of Motorola’s Wing 5 has coincided with the release of several new hardware options to support this new wireless solution, one of which, is the AP7161 outdoor 802.11n mesh access point.

With its reliable security, practical design and self-healing MESH capabilities, the AP7161 is ideal for industrial, enterprise campus, video surveillance, public safety and smartgrid utility applications.

Features of the AP7161 include 3×3 MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology, patented mesh networking algorithms, Wing 5 Intelligence, perimeter security with 2.4GHz and 5GHZ bands or a dedicated dual-band sensor and an outdoor IP67 rating.

The AP7161 was released alongside three additional access point products: the single radio AP621, the singe radio/virtual controller AP 6521, and the dual radio AP6532. The AP7161, in comparison, has three radios, is built to withstand rough outdoor environments and it is waterproof.

To find learn more about Motorola and wifi solutions, visit our web site.

Related Posts

• Cisco Aironet 3600 Series Indoor Access Point