ZoneDirector 3000
The Wi-Fi Controller For Mid-Size Enterprise
Now, any organization with a limited IT staff and budget can quickly and inexpensively create a highly-secure wireless LAN (WLAN) — with ZoneDirector 3000. Capable of centrally managing up to 500 Ruckus Wi-Fi access points (APs), ZoneDirector 3000 is designed for ease of use, high performance, and low cost of ownership. When configured for high-redundancy, high network availability is easily achieved with automatic synchronization of configuration and authorized user information between multiple ZoneDirectors.
Product
ZoneDirector 3000 integrates seamlessly with existing switches, firewalls, authentication servers, and other network equipment. All Ruckus APs (wired or meshed) will automatically discover ZoneDirector, self-configure, and become instantly manageable. Nothing could be easier.
Once ZoneDirector 3000 is up and running, it automatically manages Ruckus APs, adjusting transmit power levels and RF channel assignments to prevent adjacent APs from interfering, and providing redundant coverage if an AP fails. Configuration changes can easily be applied to multiple APs or to the entire system, simultaneously. A customizable dashboard provides instant access to client and network events, a real-time heat map with AP locations and signal levels, as well as Smart Mesh Networking topology.
Mobility
Ruckus mobility support delivers faster and more secure Wi-Fi roaming for Voice over IP (VoIP) as well as data applications. When enabled, the Ruckus mobility service adds key capabilities to the Ruckus line of Smart Wireless controllers such as wireless LAN tunneling for voice over Wi-Fi applications and 802.1X fast roaming.
The Ruckus mobility solution minimizes erratic Wi-Fi behavior by enabling uninterrupted voice calls through the use of Layer 3 tunneling and using key caching techniques when roaming across Ruckus 802.11 access points (AP) to minimize roaming delays.
Performance
Unique Performance Utility.
ZoneDirector 3000 integrates SpeedFlex™, which allows administrators to locally or remotely determine client Wi-Fi performance. With SpeedFlex, administrators can better plan, troubleshoot, monitor, and measure WLAN performance.
Security
Streamlined, Bulletproof Security.
ZoneDirector 3000 supports enterprise-class 802.1x with any backend authentication database, such as RADIUS or Active Directory, and also comes with an internal authentication database. First-time ZoneDirector users simply plug their computers into the WLAN, and specify a URL that directs them to a captive web portal for first-time authentication. Then, ZoneDirector automatically configures the client system with the designated SSID and a dynamically-generated encryption key that centralizes authentication and authorization decisions for all APs, providing secure admission control across the WLAN.
Quality
Better Quality of Service with Fewer APs.
Leveraging Smart Wi-Fi technology that provides extended range and dynamic signal controls, ZoneDirector 3000’s Smart Mesh Networking:
- Minimizes inter-nodal hops that degrade performance
- Automatically adapts Wi-Fi connections between nodes to environmental changes
- Automatically controls the channel assignments and transmit power of all Ruckus Wi-Fi APs
- WIDS
- Fast roaming
- Distributed forwarding
The result? Fewer APs need to be deployed. And with BeamFlex+, the Ruckus system continuously picks the best path for every packet, to clients outside the network and mesh APs inside the network.
- Smart/OS Software Suite and Application Engine
- Provides WLAN-wide network, security, RF, and location management.
- SmartMesh wireless meshing automates deployment, eliminates the need to run Ethernet cable to every Smart Wi-Fi access point
- Adaptable Hybrid SmartMesh extends the wireless network through Ethernet-connected APs
- Elegant guest networking without the hassle
- Dynamically-generated Pre-Shared Keys (PSK) that are automatically installed on clients
- Support for 802.1x, LDAP (captive portal), native Active Directory, and RADIUS authentication with dynamic VLAN assignment
- Multi-site authentication to scale large deployments
- Automatic traffic redirection using WISPr for multi-site authentication for large-scale deployments
- Minimizes erratic Wi-Fi behavior, enabling uninterrupted voice calls, through the use of Layer 3 tunneling and using key caching techniques when roaming
- Bandsteering, load balancing, and airtime fairness to optimize Wi-Fi spectrum
- Users access policies provide rich WLAN control
- Traffic thresholds for users on a specific SSID to ensure fairness
- Maximizes data throughput by sending all data traffic directly from the access points to the wired network
- Aeroscout location services support
- Easy to Deploy and Manage
- Seamless integration with existing switches, firewalls, authentication servers and other network infrastructure
- Can be placed within any Layer 2/3 network
- Automatically discovers and configures Ruckus APs
- Automatically adjusts AP transmit power levels and RF channel assignments to avoid interference and enable redundant coverage
- Dynamic RF controls over transmit power and channel assignments
- Supports 32 unique WLANs mapped to specific APs or VLANs
- Installs in minutes with intuitive web-based wizard
- Customizable dashboard provides instant access to a variety of client and network information and events
- Real-time heat map displays AP locations and signal coverage, and Smart Mesh Networking topology
- SpeedFlex allows administrators to locally or remotely determine client Wi-Fi performance
- Outstanding Price/Performance
- Unmatched total cost of ownership
- Provides features not found in costlier WLAN systems
- Requires little IT time
