Press Releases
Ruckus Wireless Delivers First-of-Its-Kind Wireless LAN Solution for Small/Medium Businesses and Hot Zone Operators
ZoneFlex™ Delivers Advanced Wi-Fi Capabilities
in an Easily Deployed and Affordable System
SUNNYVALE, CA, May 21, 2007 – Ruckus Wireless today introduced ZoneFlex™, a new breed of multimedia wireless LAN (WLAN) systems that will forever change the way Wi-Fi is deployed within small-to-medium businesses and hot zones.
ZoneFlex combines new capabilities not found in any other WLAN platform today; including the Ruckus patented wireless beam-steering technology, 802.11n high capacity wireless meshing, network-wide RF management and per-user quality of service control.
Designed for organizations with limited IT resources, ZoneFlex is purpose-built for plug-and-play and ease-of-use. Requiring virtually no RF planning or WLAN topology design, an entire ZoneFlex WLAN can be installed and configured in minutes. Even security and wireless administration of client devices can be automated.
The Ruckus ZoneFlex family of products includes: 1) ZoneFlex multimedia 802.11g and 802.11n access points (APs) capable of automatic wireless meshing 2) the ZoneDirector line of Smart Wi-Fi control system and 3) the FlexMaster remote management system.
Two unique technology breakthroughs, Network BeamFlex™ and Minute Configuration™, underpin the power and simplicity of the ZoneFlex solution.
Fewer APs Delivering Better Range, Density and Capacity with Network BeamFlex
Already installed in over a million standalone home Wi-Fi APs, the Ruckus patented BeamFlex beam-steering technology has been proven to extend Wi-Fi range, eliminate dead spots and deliver multimedia worthy performance. The technology features a software controlled antenna array that can reconfigure itself in real-time for the optimum signal path to each individual user. Automatically directing Wi-Fi signals towards the user and away from interference, BeamFlex obviates the need for extensive AP planning and placement.
Network BeamFlex extends the BeamFlex advantage over an entire WLAN. Using the same intelligent path selection algorithm, multiple ZoneFlex APs can be automatically meshed to extend WLAN coverage and capacity without adding expensive Ethernet backhaul connections. By coordinating real time path information among the meshed APs, Network BeamFlex enables each AP in the mesh topology to select the highest performing uplink path and avoid noisy backhaul links automatically. WLAN coverage and performance is maximized without manual RF and topology tuning. Furthermore, BeamFlex smart multipath selection on the Ruckus 802.11n ZoneFlex AP makes it uniquely suitable for high capacity backhaul while supporting 802.11 b/g access to installed Wi-Fi client devices.
Lastly, to provide conventional RF management, the Ruckus ZoneDirector controls the channel and power settings on each AP to enable redundant coverage and network resiliency in the event of an AP failure.
IT-Lite WLAN Configuration and Management with Minute Configuration
Minute Configuration simplifies ZoneFlex network and security administration. A highly intuitive Web-based wizard allows any computer-literate PC user to point-and-click their way through configuring an entire WLAN in five minutes or less. Once configured, an easy-to-view and completely customizable dashboard delivers at-a-glance details about client devices, network events, statistics and other important WLAN information.
To help small businesses enforce robust wireless security with minimum cost and administrative overhead, ZoneFlex offers an automation tool that pushes dynamically generated, unique encryption keys to the client devices.
The patent pending technology, Ruckus Dynamic PSK, eliminates the cumbersome chore of configuring individual client devices with an encryption key that becomes obsolete when a trusted user is no longer trusted, such as when an employee leaves the company. Dynamic PSK allows a new user to be automatically configured for secure WLAN access by connecting his Wi-Fi device to any Ethernet port for a one-time authentication. Once authenticated, the ZoneFlex system configures the client device with a unique encryption key along with the requisite wireless settings. The key can be invalidated automatically with an expiration date, or manually when the user becomes untrusted.
ZoneFlex Product Details
The ZoneDirector 1000
The Ruckus ZoneDirector 1000 is the first family of “IT-lite” central control systems for ZoneFlex APs. The ZoneDirector provides simplified configuration and updates, WLAN security control, load balancing, RF management and automatic coordination of Ethernet or mesh connected APs.
The ZoneDirector also integrates network, RF and location management within a single system. User authentication is accomplished with an integrated captive portal and internal database, or forwarded to existing AAA servers such as RADIUS or ActiveDirectory. Once users are authenticated, client traffic is not required to pass through the ZoneDirector thereby eliminating potential bottlenecks as higher speed Wi-Fi technologies, such as 802.11n, emerge.
In addition, the ZoneDirector supports rogue AP detection and the ability to blacklist client devices from the network – all of which are easily configured and enabled system-wide. When multiple APs are in close proximity, the Ruckus ZoneDirector automatically controls the power and the channel settings on each AP to provide the best possible total coverage and resiliency.
Equipped with two gigabit Ethernet ports for redundancy, the ZoneDirector integrates seamlessly with all existing networks. Multiple, active ZoneDirectors can be deployed for redundancy; in the event of a failure, the redundant ZoneDirector(s) automatically assume control of the APs associated with the failed system. The ZoneDirector supports UPnP and is automatically discoverable by PCs. The ZoneDirector is being made available in four different models supporting 6, 12 and 25 Ruckus ZoneFlex APs.
The ZoneFlex 2942
The ZoneFlex 2942 is a two-port 802.11g multimedia Smart Wi-Fi AP designed for ceiling, wall or plenum deployment. Standalone or centrally controlled by the Ruckus ZoneDirector, the ZoneFlex 2942 supports Power over Ethernet (802.3af) and standard encryption methods including WEP, WPA and WPA2.
Each ZoneFlex AP integrates a 12-element, dual-polarized BeamFlex antenna array capable of forming more than 4,000 unique antenna beams. Delivering unsurpassed range and capacity, the ZoneFlex 802.11g AP offers two to four times the signal coverage of similar APs in the market and is designed to support over 50 simultaneous data clients or 20 concurrent voice calls. Superior range and throughput means that fewer APs are needed to cover a site, thereby reducing total equipment cost and operational complexity.
The Ruckus ZoneFlex 2942 supports multiple discrete SSIDs allowing separate management and security policies for different user groups. Each SSID can be configured with unique broadcast, QoS, security and management parameters as well as a virtual LAN (VLAN) mapping. Ideal for hot zone operators, per-user rate limiting can be configured on a per-SSID basis to maximize user density while prioritizing access for premium users.
The ZoneFlex 2925
Based on the popular Ruckus industrial AP design, the ZoneFlex 2925 is a five-port 802.11g multimedia Smart Wi-Fi AP designed for desktop or office cube deployment. A lower cost option, the ZoneFlex 2925 is ideal for small offices and hot spots.
Pricing and Availability
The Ruckus ZoneFlex products become available starting in June. These include the ZoneFlex 2942 802.11g Smart Wi-Fi multimedia AP, the ZoneFlex 2925 and the ZoneDirector 1000 line of central control systems.
Available now, the ZoneFlex 2925 is priced at US $259.00. Available in June, the ZoneDirector 1000 products include model 1006, 1012 and 1025 supporting 6, 12 and 25 APs respectively with list prices starting at US $1200.00. And available in July, ZoneFlex 2942 is list priced at US $349.00.
In the second half of 2007, Ruckus Wireless will deliver an 802.11n ZoneFlex AP, wireless clustering capabilities and the FlexMaster remote management system. The ZoneFlex products are being sold through accredited Ruckus value-added resellers around the world.