Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 21 | Page 52

INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Cloud Riverbed launches new Xirrus wi-fi access point Riverbed is delivering solutions to help companies adapt from traditional hardware to a modern software-defined and cloud-centric approach to networking. Appropriately, its new Xirrus Wi-Fi Access Point can be can be managed from the cloud or on premises. SteelConnect, the first and only solution with unified connectivity and policy- based orchestration spanning the entire network – wireless LAN, WAN, data centre and into the cloud. This new AP marks the first expansion of the Riverbed Xirrus product line since Riverbed’s acquisition of Xirrus, the leading provider of next-generation Wi-Fi networks. As mobile applications continue to proliferate the industry, organisations must ensure their wireless infrastructure keeps up with demand. Gartner forecasts 20.4 billion connected things will be in use worldwide by 2020. Bruce Miller, Vice President, Xirrus Product Marketing, Riverbed Technology R iverbed Technology has announced a new Xirrus Wi-Fi Access Point (AP), setting a new standard for wireless price-performance that enables powerful intelligent services at the network edge, further extending the most complete Wi-Fi solution in the market. The new Riverbed Xirrus Wave 2 AP (Model XD2-230) enables organisations to support business-critical applications in mobile environments at an extremely cost-effective price point, with zero- touch configuration that can be set up within minutes. In addition, the new Riverbed Xirrus Wave 2 AP strengthens the wireless and wired LAN capabilities of Riverbed’s market-leading SD-WAN solution, 52 INTELLIGENTCIO Riverbed Xirrus addresses wireless infrastructure needs from the most basic small offices to the most demanding large venue stadiums, providing a strategic advantage to organisations that depend on wireless connectivity to conduct their business. The new Riverbed Xirrus Wave 2 AP delivers the performance and advanced service needed to build an infrastructure for today that scales and flexes to meet the future demands of tomorrow. The new Riverbed Xirrus Wi-Fi solution is an 802.11ac AP that can be managed from the cloud or on premise. The AP is designed with a powerful integrated controller, providing layer 7 application visibility to help businesses keep up with the demands that applications are putting on Wi-Fi. With three radios, including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), the XD2-230 model provides secure access for Wi-Fi users and Internet of Things (IOT) devices with an easy-to-use SaaS solution, while helping enterprises scale and adapt to evolving demands. The new Wave AP delivers an unprecedented level of price-performance at 3.9Gbps total Wi-Fi bandwidth. A powerful onboard controller enables application-based policy control, integrated location services, and software-defined radios directly at the network edge, eliminating the cost and complexity of additional controllers and service appliances, and reducing total cost of ownership (TCO) by 30% or more. Management and control is provided by the cloud or an on-premise based Xirrus Management System (XMS), enabling complete visibility and control for all devices and applications from a single console. Secure access for an unlimited number of users/devices is delivered by the EasyPass SaaS solution. EasyPass simplifies secure Wi-Fi connectivity with integration to the Microsoft Azure and Google application ecosystems, enabling single sign-on to both user applications and Wi-Fi. Simple and secure onboarding for BYOD and IoT devices is supported by unique per- user security credentials that lock down access at a device level. “Operational efficiency and agility are key to the ability of organisations to adapt to changing business conditions to remain competitive,” said Bruce Miller, Vice President, Xirrus Product Marketing, Riverbed Technology. “We believe the new XD2-230 solution provides the ultimate combination of performance, flexibility, and value for delivering wireless service in today’s business climate. It is designed to handle the growing and changing wireless connectivity demands of today and tomorrow, and yet do so at a significantly lower TCO vs. competitive alternatives.” n www.intelligentcio.com