Cisco Cisco Aironet 3600e Access Point 백서
Farpoint Group White Paper – September 2012
Midmarket Wireless LANs
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a given network infrastructure. While an AP can be conceptually reduced to antennas on
one side, an Ethernet jack on the other, and an array of processing implementing
standards-based requirements in the middle, vendor-specific enhanced functionality
available in some business-oriented APs available today, primarily related to
management and control and often aimed at the needs of specific market segments, is
providing meaningful differentiation that is in fact redefining traditional WLAN market
segmentation.
Apart from those products aimed at carriers and operators, there are three broad classes of
wireless LAN system (WLS) products on the market today (see Figure 1):
one side, an Ethernet jack on the other, and an array of processing implementing
standards-based requirements in the middle, vendor-specific enhanced functionality
available in some business-oriented APs available today, primarily related to
management and control and often aimed at the needs of specific market segments, is
providing meaningful differentiation that is in fact redefining traditional WLAN market
segmentation.
Apart from those products aimed at carriers and operators, there are three broad classes of
wireless LAN system (WLS) products on the market today (see Figure 1):
• Residential (RWLS) – These APs are typically packaged as routers and in general
implement all functionality necessary to connect home users to a broadband link.
Configuration and management are usually implemented via a simple HTTPS
(Web) interface, although this capability is sometimes provisioned via a cloud-
based service. While it’s often possible to configure multiple residential-class APs
to support user roaming, and thus open the door to installations that might be
appropriate for very small businesses, these products are inherently limited by a
reduced feature set - and often reduced performance - and are therefore
inappropriate for all but the smallest firms.
Configuration and management are usually implemented via a simple HTTPS
(Web) interface, although this capability is sometimes provisioned via a cloud-
based service. While it’s often possible to configure multiple residential-class APs
to support user roaming, and thus open the door to installations that might be
appropriate for very small businesses, these products are inherently limited by a
reduced feature set - and often reduced performance - and are therefore
inappropriate for all but the smallest firms.
• Enterprise (EWLS) – Enterprise-class wireless LANs, at the other end of the scale,
embody features and performance appropriate to IT shops in large to very-large
firms. Management consoles here are designed for use by IT professionals and
feature elaborate and comprehensive functionality. Enterprise-class APs are
designed for very high throughput and to handle the high-capacity demands of
diverse users across large venues and geographies. High-performance WLAN
controllers are also frequently part of an enterprise-class solution. Enterprise-class
firms. Management consoles here are designed for use by IT professionals and
feature elaborate and comprehensive functionality. Enterprise-class APs are
designed for very high throughput and to handle the high-capacity demands of
diverse users across large venues and geographies. High-performance WLAN
controllers are also frequently part of an enterprise-class solution. Enterprise-class
Figure 1 – Midmarket firms are especially challenged by fewer IT resources and greater cost
sensitivity than larger organizations. Source: Farpoint Group.
sensitivity than larger organizations. Source: Farpoint Group.