Aruba products provide a WLAN platform based on the deployment of "thin" access points connected (directly or indirectly) to main WLAN switches. The access points automatically tunnel communications to the WLAN switches, which in turn provide centralized WLAN services such as encryption/decryption, authentication, packet inspection, etc. When connected to the LAN, the Access Points automatically discover a mobility controller and configure themselves based on the software images managed by the controller.

Key access points currently available in the Aruba product line include the AP 41, AP 60/61, AP 65, AP 70, AP 80 (in several flavors), AP 85, and the AP 124/125 offerings. All work only with the Aruba WLAN switches, and can act both as an actual access point and/or an air monitor (with the exception of the 80SB/80SM versions; "extreme weather" APs that can function as stand-alone APs with support for wireless backhaul or PtP WDS bridges). Most can also be used as mesh extenders with automated self-healing and path optimization features.

- The Aruba 41 is the entry level offering of the group; offering a single radio (configurable to 802.11a or 802.11b/g) and an internal omnidirectional antenna.

- The Aruba AP 60 and AP 61 access points are also single radio 802.11a or b/g access points. The Aruba AP 60 supports dualband detachable antennae while the AP 61 provides built-in 90-degree rotational dual omni-directional high-gain antennae.

- The AP 65 is a small format dual-radio (concurrent 802.11 a, b/g) AP with a rear-mounted Ethernet interface and integrated ceiling tile rail mounting point. The Aruba 65 supports an integral high-gain antenna.

- The AP 70 can be wall or desk mounted and provides simultaneous 802.11a + b/g wireless access. Features include fully redundant network up-link Ethernet interfaces (with auto-failover), redundant PoE power sourcing, and a USB 2.0 interface.

- The AP 80M access point is designed specifically for outdoor implementations; a hardened, dual-radio (802.11a + b/g) AP. Versions of the AP 80 are also available that can operate as point-to-point (80SB/80MB) or point-to-multi-point (80MB) WDS bridges for 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz.

- The new AP 85 series are also ruggedized APs designed for harsh environments, including petrochemical, material handling, shop-floor, logistics, and SCADA applications. The AP85FX/LX offerings sport fiber optic interfaces, while the AP-85TX features a PoE enabled 10/100 port (power can also be supplied via 12 V DC). All are dual radio designs (concurrent 802.11a and 802.11b/g).

- The Aruba 124/125 are 802.11n compatible APs with dual radios supporting concurrent 802.11a/n and 802.11b/g/n operation.

The Aruba switches--called Mobility Controllers (200/800/2400) and Multi-Service Mobility Controllers (3000 series/6000) by the vendor--provide the centralized control point for the distributed access points. Key services that can be provided by the switch to the WLAN include encryption, authentication, traffic control/prioritization, intrusion detection, and more. Individual controllers currently available in the Aruba Mobility Controller line include:

- 200: A single 10/100 port and a single 10/100/1000 port, with support for up to 6 aggregated APs and 200 Mb/sec encrypted traffic.

- 800: 8 10/100 user ports, a single 1 Gb copper uplink, and a slot to support a fiber gigabit connection. Supports up to 16 APs and 200 Mb/sec encrypted traffic.

- 2400: Stackable 24-port (10/100) switch supports up to 48 APs and up to 768 simultaneous users with 400 Mb/sec of encrypted throughput. 2 GBIC slots are also included.

- 3000: Targeted primarily to SMB deployments, the MMC-3000 series controllers support from 32-128 local APs (128-512 remote APs) per controller and from 512 to 2,048 users per controller, depending on model. Encrypted throughput ranges from 1.6 - 8 Gb/sec, depending on algorithm).

- 6000: A modular offering supporting the loading of up to 4 modules with a combined total of up to 72 10/100 ports, 40 GigE ports (GBIC or SFP), and 8 10 Gig (XFP) ports. Fully loaded, the 6000 supports up to 2,048 local APs, 8,192 remote APs, and 32,768 users per controller. The latest modules boast 32-core multi-threaded processors with dedicated cryptography cores and enable the MMC 6000 to deliver up to 16 (AES-CCM) or 32 (3DES, AES CBC 256) Gb/sec encrypted throughput.

With the exception of the new AP 85s (due 1Q/2008), the Aruba product line is available now. Visit the Aruba Web site for further information.

product submission by EITPlanet Staff

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