Aruba Introduces Ethernet Jack APs.
Aruba Networks introduced a new line of products including an access
point that can be mounted on the wall and plugged into any Ethernet
port: The idea is to cut deployment costs but also encourage a denser
deployment of APs. “We went into large accounts and they said they
wanted to put up large deployments but they couldn't even if we gave
them the APs for free,” said David Callisch, an Aruba Networks
spokesman. Those enterprises complained that the cost and process of
hiring workers that have to climb ladders to install access points in
the ceiling was too cumbersome. They also said that they wanted good
coverage but were so reluctant to hang enough APs because of how
difficult the process is that it defeated the point of building a WLAN.
Based on such customer feedback, Aruba built APs that can be plugged
directly into an Ethernet port. “It takes two minutes to install,”
Callisch said. The APs draw power over Ethernet and communicate with a
centralized Aruba switch. Networks built with the new APs will require
two to three times as many APs as conventional WLANs. The additional
APs will focus on a smaller coverage area, thus serving a smaller
number of clients. The APs constantly communicate with the switch which
in turn tunes the network for the best performance. “It's a model that
looks like the Ethernet network,” Callisch said. He said the
architecture can also be ideal for location tracking applications.
Because the networks will require more APs, Aruba has also introduced a
new pricing scheme. Customers pay $200 per AP per year. The cost
includes service and support and Aruba will replace APs that fail as
part of the yearly fee. “When you're putting them in the ceiling,
you're trying to deploy sparsely because of the cost. Now you can put
them wherever there's an open Ethernet port,” he said. Aruba also
announced today a deal with Ortronics. Ortronics will build Aruba APs
into Ethernet jacks. Companies that may be re-wiring buildings or
builders of new construction can use the Ethernet jacks to hardwire the
APs into the facility…. [Wi-Fi Networking News]