Critical.
Authoritative.
Strategic.
Subscribe to CIO Magazine »

Bluesocket unveils virtual Wi-Fi controller on VMware

Bluesocket is offering its rebuilt enterprise Wi-Fi controller software on virtual machine platforms, the first one being VMware. The company will port the code for other hypervisor platforms in the future.

Bluesocket is offering its rebuilt enterprise Wi-Fi controller software on virtual machine platforms, the first one being VMware. The company will port the code for other hypervisor platforms in the future.

The Bluesocket Wi-Fi control and management functions now can be shifted to existing VMware deployments, without the need for separate wireless LAN controllers. The only hardware now is the Bluesocket access points. By "virtualizing" key controller functions, Bluesocket executives say, the WLAN can scale to handle the soaring growth both in Wi-Fi traffic volume and in clients, with users increasingly having more than one mobile device.

The hottest virtualization products at VMworld

Bluesocket is part of a small group of vendors shifting functions from dedicated Wi-Fi controllers to access points, server appliances and even the cloud. These "controllerless" models eliminate some capital and operational costs and can simplify WLAN administration. Other vendors include Aerohive Networks and Meraki, and possibly Xirrus, which bundles controller features into a package that combines several access points in a single device.  

Bluesocket launched its re-building project in Fall 2007. In December 2009, it released the first version of what it now calls "vWLAN" -- software that could be downloaded by customers into any server-appliance, in any location, to handle WLAN control and management tasks. Those tasks include Layer 2 and 3 mobility functions, user bandwidth tracking and radio frequency management.

One additional benefit of this architecture, says Bluesocket CEO MadsLillelund, is "failover is instant: there is zero packet loss, and the primary and backup virtual servers can be located anywhere.

The intelligent access points incorporate a firewall and handle at the edge a range of functions typically done by a controller. The access points manage identity-based access control, for example. Bluesocket offers as separately priced options, applications for client-side security compliance scanning and for security and WLAN redundancy.

With this week's announcement, this code is available for deployment on VMware 4.0 and 4.1, the most recent versions. The software has been certified as "VMware ready." Bluesocket is showcasing the virtual WLAN at VMworld this week in San Francisco, in the conference's "New Innovations Pavillion."

The new Bluesocket software can be downloaded at no charge for a VMware deployment. Customers buy the Bluesocket access points, and separate licenses for each of these.

The new hypervisor version of Bluesocket, for VMware, will be available in the latter half of September 2010. Bluesocket access points, two-radio 802.11n devices, are listed at $795. The VMware/hypervisor code is free; or you can have the server code pre-loaded on a Bluesocket-branded appliance ($1,195) or an IBM System X 3250 server ($3,995). CEO Mads Lillelunds says pricing is both less complicated and absolutely less in dollar terms compared to the leading controller-based WLAN solutions from rivals.

John Cox covers wireless networking and mobile computing for Network World.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/johnwcoxnwwBlog RSS feed: http://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/2989/feed

Read more about anti-malware in Network World's Anti-malware section.

Join the CIO Australia group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.

More about: Bluesocket, IBM, IBM Australia, LAN, VMware, Xirrus
References show all

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Users posting comments agree to the CIO comments policy.
Login or register to link comments to your user profile, or you may also post a comment without being logged in.
Related Coverage
Related Whitepapers
Latest Stories
Community Comments
Tags: Aerohive Networks, Bluesocket, Configuration / maintenance, Data Center, hardware systems, networking, Virtualization, VMware, wi-fi, wireless, WLANs / Wi-Fi, Xirrus
Latest Blog Posts
Whitepapers
  • A whitepaper on Cloud Security
    Articles include: The cloud security checklist; Creating a governance framework for Cloud Security; Hackers, like vendors are embracing the cloud. Are you?; Want government cloud? Rethink security! and more. Read this whitepaper.
    Learn more »
  • Printer Usage and Cost Management Strategies for the Australian Mid-market, an Unrealised Opportunity
    This whitepaper was commissioned to aid senior business and ICT decision makers of medium-sized government and corporate organisations, including marketing, finance, and technology executives to better understand the current use of print devices including copiers, printers and multi-function Page 19 Reproductions in whole or in part are prohibited. This whitepaper also provides insights into how current management practices can be improved to optimise investments and improve sustainability. Read on.
    Learn more »
  • 10 Essential Steps to Email Security
    Modern business is reliant on email. All organisations using email need to answer the following questions: How do we control spam volumes without the risk of trapping a business email? How do we prevent infections from email-borne viruses? How do we stop leakage of confidential information? Can we detect and stop exploitation from phishing attacks? How do we control brand damage from occurring due to employee misuse? How do we prevent inappropriate content from being circulated?
    Learn more »
All whitepapers
rhs_login_lockGet exclusive access to Invitation only events CIO, reports & analysis.
Recent comments