WFS709TP Wireless Control

The NETGEAR ProSafe Smart Wireless Controller is a full-featured wireless controller that centrally manages 16 access points, delivering integrated wireless mobility, security and converged services for both wired and wireless users.

Supporting up to 256 users per ProSafe Smart Wireless Controller, the WFS709TP has built- in PoE support on all eight 10/100 interfaces. With a Gigabit Ethernet port typically used to connect the wireless controller to the network backbone, WFS709TP supports advanced security features such as 802.1x, EAP-PEAP, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, 802.11i, MAC address, SSID and location-based authentication.

With identity-based security features such as support for RADIUS and AAA server support, NETGEAR ProSafe Smart Wireless Controller, truly unifies wired and wireless access without compromising on security.

Deployment

Deployed as an overlay on the existing network infrastructure, WFS709TP centrally manages, deploys, monitors and controls your wireless infrastructure. Supporting multiple deployment architectures including standalone wireless controller deployments to hierarchical setups in master/local configurations, the NETGEAR ProSafe Smart Wireless Controller, can be configured in “master” mode where all the configuration and security parameters are managed for the entire wireless network. In addition, WFS709TP can be configured in “local” mode, acting as policy enforcement points for the “master” controller as part of a hierarchical setup.

The overall Smart Wireless Controller solution supports up to 32 access points with the Smart Wireless Controllers configured in redundant master/local mode and up to 48 access points with the Smart Wireless Controllers configured in non-redundant master/local configuration. A standalone Smart Wireless Controller supports up to 16 access points.

IntelliFi RF Management

Targeted towards the growing business NETGEAR ProSafe Smart Wireless Controller provides continuous wireless coverage with features such as IntelliFi radio management. IntelliFi radio management provides automatic self-configuration of all radio parameters including transmit power level, channel, load balancing and interference avoidance.

For low-latency applications such as VoIP, NETGEAR ProSafe Wireless Controller delivers VoIP over wireless by providing support for call admission control, voice-aware fast-roaming and strict over-the-air QoS to deliver mobile voice capabilities.

Access Points

Wireless users on the network can now experience seamless roaming as moving between multiple access points is made simple with the ProSafe Smart Wireless Controller centralized architecture. All user states, including security and mobility information, are maintained in the centralized Smart Wireless Controller. Access points (AP’s) act as logical extensions to the WFS709TP, accepting wireless traffic and sending it to the Wireless Controller over IP tunnels.

Access points supported include NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11a/g Dual Band Light Wireless Access Point (WAGL102) and NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Light Wireless Access Point (WGL102).

The WFS709TP can also manage existing NETGEAR WG102 and WAG102 Wireless Access Point deployment by a one-time image download available on http://support.netgear.com that allows the existing wireless access point to be managed by the Wireless Controller.

RF Planning Tool

With integrated RF planning tools, administrators can input floor plan images, number of floors, building dimensions, desired coverage and an overlap factor for fault tolerance. The planning tools compute the predicted RF characteristics of the building, plot the optimal location of the access points and display predicted coverage.

Guest Access and Redundancy

Guest access, provided by a built-in captive portal, allows guest users connecting over the wireless network restricted guest level access to the network, prohibiting them any access to the sensitive data on the corporate network.

For mission-critical applications requiring network resiliency, the WFS709TP supports fault tolerant hardware with industry standard N+1 wireless controller redundancy and access point interleaving for access point redundancy. These features make it possible to provide a wireless network with no single point of failure, guaranteeing the highest possible availability.

The Advantages Of Wireless Networks

In this world of modern technology, most people prefer not to connect computers with Ethernet cables because excessive cables scattered throughout their office or home is unsightly. You can choose to install a wireless network to avoid excessive cabling. For a wireless network, there is no need to use Ethernet cables to connect your computers to the DSL or router.

Usually, a wireless network broadcast signal uses one or more wireless routers or wireless access points. The access points or router are provided with an aerial and an Ethernet port. The Ethernet port in the access point must be connected to the modem which is provided by your internet service provider, if you need internet access. If you have to move the wireless network to another place, you can simply transfer and install it in your new location easily.

You can also make a combination of wired and wireless connections with an access point or wireless router. The access point functions as the receiver and radio frequency transmitter and can interact with computers, IP Phones, PDAs and other access points having 802.11 wireless adapters. IEEE 802.11 standard of wireless transmission is utilized in a wireless local area network (WLAN). Certain other wireless networking standards such as Bluetooth are available now. However, 802.11 standard is considered as the most effectual networking solution. Actually, the aim of the developers of this network interface was to connect computers through a local area network. However, it has now been changed and a wireless network interface is also used for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and internet access.

Based on the surveys conducted so far, it is clear that you can stay connected in your network for a long period each day. If you have a laptop with a wireless connection, you can walk around your office with your laptop without losing the connection. Nowadays, certain emergency services are transferring their confidential data through a wireless network. We can consider this as an evidence for the data security which is provided by wireless network. You can send and share data quickly through a wireless network. This is the main reason why businesses and people prefer this network interface for their data sharing. Another important fact regarding wireless networks is that you can connect to the network easily even from the regions which have poor telecom infrastructure.

Some of the main reasons which make the wireless network interface popular include:

i) Convenience as you can use this network interface at home, the office or anywhere else without hassle.
ii) WLANs are available anywhere in the world at an affordable cost.
iii) If you are moving to a new location, you can transfer the interface and install it at your new location easily.
iv) There is no need for an Ethernet cable to connect computers to each other.

For a business, one of the main advantages in setting up a wireless network is savings. You can access the changes in your business in a short period of time after installing the wireless network. There is no need to spend money on cables and other equipments. The cost of maintaining a wireless network is also less when compared to other network interfaces.

Nowadays, you can buy wireless routers at an affordable cost. Also having a wireless network can increase productivity and improve the working environment in your office.

One of the main drawbacks of this network interface is that it may cause health and environmental hazards. Recent researches reported that the constant use of wireless network interfaces may lead to memory loss, poor concentration, premature senility, nausea and even the hazardous disease named cancer. Some environmental hazards that may occur due the constant usage of this interface are also reported. These hazards occur due to electromagnetic radiation coming out of wireless networks.