The Aruba Difference

The Aruba Difference Aruba's mobile edge architecture provides superior features and benefits to competing wired and Wireless LAN solutions. With Aruba's mobile edge solution, enterprises can transform the network into a competitive advantage through a highly mobilized workforce with instant access to information. At the same time, the reduced infrastructure costs, increased security, and increased flexibility provide a powerful economic advantage.

Only Aruba delivers:

1. Identity-based security to protect the network and mobile users The mobile edge is, by definition, mobile. On the mobile edge any user can appear in any place at any time, so the network must recognize the user or device by identity. Identity-based security solves security problems by applying rules to people rather than to ports on the network, only permitting access appropriate to the business role of the user.

2. Non-disruptive integration into existing networks The mobile edge must be cost-effective in order to enjoy widespread adoption. Deployment of the mobile edge cannot force large scale upgrades or changes to the existing infrastructure, nor can it force network downtime. The mobile edge must integrate into existing management tools, security monitoring systems, and auditing procedures.

3. Secure convergence for mobile VoIP and data services The mobile edge must be multi-service. On the mobile edge, voice is a critical service. Voice over wireless LAN (VoWLAN) provides all the mobility benefits of cellular with the cost savings of VoIP and does not require expensive power upgrades to wiring closets. Newer dual-mode voice handsets operate over the enterprise Wireless LAN wherever it is available, and over the public cellular network everywhere else, providing true cost-effective voice mobility to users.

4. Adaptive radio management for self-configuring WLANs The mobile edge requires adaptive control of the air. Radio frequency (RF) transmission is an inherent part of wireless, and one with which many network administrators are not familiar. The goal of any wireless deployment is to provide the required coverage while guaranteeing maximum performance. With the pervasive nature of wireless on the mobile edge, RF tuning cannot be a manual task that the network administrator must perform. RF management must be entirely automatic, reliable, and adaptable.

5. Remote extensions for instant enterprise hotspots The mobile edge moves with the user. Users move outside the walls of the enterprise facility, yet still need access to enterprise voice and data networks. Left to their own devices, users will create their own version of the mobile edge wherever they need to - using DSL or cable connections at home, using open wireless networks at public hotspots, plugging into Ethernet jacks in hotel rooms, or connecting over public wireless networks such as GSM or EVDO. To avoid the support and security problems caused by this approach, the mobile edge must extend on-demand enterprise voice and data connectivity over the Internet to create secure personal hotspots wherever users need to work. These hotspots move with the user, but control and configuration remains with the network administrator.

6. Enterprise-grade scalability, reliability & performance The mobile edge must be dependable. To realize the full benefits of the mobile edge, it must provide predictable, consistent performance and high reliability. The system should gracefully recover from all component failures with no network outage noticeable to the user. Performance should meet all requirements of mobile applications, and should remain high even in challenging RF environments. Finally, the mobile edge should grow with the enterprise without requiring additional people to manage it.

7. Open mobility platform for application development and integration The mobile edge is a business-enabler. New mobile applications will create business opportunities and enhance existing ones, creating competitive advantages for users of the technology. Applications such as voice, location tracking, and sensor networks are the first purely mobile applications and more are being developed as mobile networks become more prevalent. In addition to mobile applications, new services are continually being developed for security, such as network-based spyware blocking, and convergence, such as fixed-mobile handoff and emergency call location tracking. The mobile edge must be flexible, extensible, and open to application development by best-of-breed vendors.

Aruba Networks Products

Halestar's Wireless Survey Services

Mobility Controllers

Controlled Access Points

The Applications