Cisco Cisco Aironet 3500i Access Point 백서
Copyright 2010 CWNP Inc.
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more than 802.11 Wi-Fi utilization analysis, or very, very minimal spectrum data. A good feature, but it’s
not true, useful spectrum analysis. As a side note, this does not include Aruba, who I believe will have
legitimate, though limited, spectrum analysis later this year.
not true, useful spectrum analysis. As a side note, this does not include Aruba, who I believe will have
legitimate, though limited, spectrum analysis later this year.
As a slight diversion, I have a few comments about Aruba’s announcement. One of Aruba’s key
messages is that they will offer spectrum analysis with existing hardware…no need to buy new
hardware. Seriously, that’s great! However, existing hardware always has a ceiling on its limitations.
With improvements in technology, new hardware for new features is always inevitable. Aruba is eeking
out every bit of Layer 1 information from their existing Wi-Fi chipset in order to pitch integrated
spectrum analysis with existing hardware. However, they’ll quickly reach the ceiling on the hardware’s
capabilities. Cisco’s spectrum analysis hardware is considerably superior to Atheros’ current hardware
because Atheros designed a Wi-Fi chipset, whereas Cisco/Cognio designed a spectrum analysis chipset.
Different purpose, different capabilities. Further, at some point, you have to replace hardware in
pursuit of a higher ceiling. The fact that Cisco has integrated Cognio into an AP is a major step in the
right direction. This is important stuff, and they’re leading the pack in this category by a mile.
messages is that they will offer spectrum analysis with existing hardware…no need to buy new
hardware. Seriously, that’s great! However, existing hardware always has a ceiling on its limitations.
With improvements in technology, new hardware for new features is always inevitable. Aruba is eeking
out every bit of Layer 1 information from their existing Wi-Fi chipset in order to pitch integrated
spectrum analysis with existing hardware. However, they’ll quickly reach the ceiling on the hardware’s
capabilities. Cisco’s spectrum analysis hardware is considerably superior to Atheros’ current hardware
because Atheros designed a Wi-Fi chipset, whereas Cisco/Cognio designed a spectrum analysis chipset.
Different purpose, different capabilities. Further, at some point, you have to replace hardware in
pursuit of a higher ceiling. The fact that Cisco has integrated Cognio into an AP is a major step in the
right direction. This is important stuff, and they’re leading the pack in this category by a mile.
Obviously, Aruba knew about Cisco’s developments and pending press at Interop, so their preemptive
release was intended to take the wind out of Cisco’s sails. It’s a classic
release was intended to take the wind out of Cisco’s sails. It’s a classic
. Poor form, Aruba. I
realize this is fundamental aggressive and strategic business marketing (everyone does it), but I’m not a
big fan of marketing vaporware. Market what you have when you have it—or at least when you can
provide beta releases for third-party validation. No less, I’m talking about Aruba in my review of Cisco,
so I guess their marketing worked. DOH!
big fan of marketing vaporware. Market what you have when you have it—or at least when you can
provide beta releases for third-party validation. No less, I’m talking about Aruba in my review of Cisco,
so I guess their marketing worked. DOH!
And now, we’re onto the good stuff. By now, we all know that the Cognio chipset has been the de facto
standard in mobile (WLAN, anyway) spectrum analysis now for the past many years. This leaves us with
little need to verify the quality of Cisco’s RF visibility. It’s good. I’ve seen it with my own eyes, touched
the APs with my own hands, and put the “dirty air” through its paces. Speaking of dirty air, that is the
whole point. In unlicensed frequencies, the RF spectrum is dirty (filled with myriad RF sources), which
leads us to Cisco’s branding. CleanAir™ is the trademarked term for their integrated spectrum analysis
technology. With all the new L1 and L2 horsepower provided by 802.11n, we’re in need of some better
RF headlights to optimize the network. Clean air is exactly what we need.
standard in mobile (WLAN, anyway) spectrum analysis now for the past many years. This leaves us with
little need to verify the quality of Cisco’s RF visibility. It’s good. I’ve seen it with my own eyes, touched
the APs with my own hands, and put the “dirty air” through its paces. Speaking of dirty air, that is the
whole point. In unlicensed frequencies, the RF spectrum is dirty (filled with myriad RF sources), which
leads us to Cisco’s branding. CleanAir™ is the trademarked term for their integrated spectrum analysis
technology. With all the new L1 and L2 horsepower provided by 802.11n, we’re in need of some better
RF headlights to optimize the network. Clean air is exactly what we need.
When I first heard about CleanAir, I had to stop and first ask about price. In the absence of a low-cost
AP solution to compete with the $500 APs—as well as new architectures—from other vendors, Cisco is
releasing a more expensive AP? Further, it is
AP solution to compete with the $500 APs—as well as new architectures—from other vendors, Cisco is
releasing a more expensive AP? Further, it is
with a price premium. Or does it? I have to admit that Cisco really surprised me with their prices. Given
the value of integrated spectrum analysis, I don’t see a price premium with their new APs. Considering
that Meru’s 320i APs were released a few months ago at ~$1499 because of internal antennas, CleanAir
AP pricing between $1095 and $1495 is looking pretty darn good. And as John Chamber’s said, though
there may be a price premium, true value can only be measured as a comparison of “your total cost of
ownership v. your productivity.” If innovative features like CleanAir™ and ClientLink™ allow employees
to be more productive and profitable, and your WLAN to be more resilient and agile in the face of
the value of integrated spectrum analysis, I don’t see a price premium with their new APs. Considering
that Meru’s 320i APs were released a few months ago at ~$1499 because of internal antennas, CleanAir
AP pricing between $1095 and $1495 is looking pretty darn good. And as John Chamber’s said, though
there may be a price premium, true value can only be measured as a comparison of “your total cost of
ownership v. your productivity.” If innovative features like CleanAir™ and ClientLink™ allow employees
to be more productive and profitable, and your WLAN to be more resilient and agile in the face of