Data Voice Solutions

By Shamila Janakiraman
TMCnet Contributor

Enterasys, the network infrastructure and security division of Siemens (News - Alert) Enterprise Communications Group, has reportedly announced the availability of its free Extreme Wireless Upgrade program for Extreme Networks customers. The new program is expected to protect existing investments and also simplify the upgrade path to 802.11n besides increasing performance and security.

The Extreme Wireless Upgrade offer, which will be available through February 26, 2010, will upgrade several Extreme products including the Summit WM20 controller, Summit WM200 controller, Summit WM2000 controller and Altitude 350-2 Integrated Antenna AP, among others.

Also, Summit users will be able to upgrade current WM Series wireless controllers and A350/A450 access points with enhanced software that is not available from Extreme.

“Our Extreme Wireless Upgrade program is a risk-free way for Extreme wireless customers to realize the benefits of new features including integrated guest access, Link Layer Discovery Protocol or LLDP support, and additional security and performance enhancements,” said Chris Crowell, Enterasys (News - Alert) executive vice president and general manager.

“Because Enterasys operates its own wireless business and doesn’t rely on a changing carousel of OEM partners, Summit users can avoid the headaches that often accompany an OEM vendor transition,” Crowell said.

The new program also simplifies upgrading to 802.11n wireless technology which enables customers to continue using the existing Summit controllers and access point mounting brackets.

Crowell pointed out that the advanced functionality and flexibility of the HiPath offering from the company and Enterasys’ commitment towards honoring maintenance agreements makes it an optimized solution.

The HiPath Wireless portfolio features a single 802.11af PoE-powered, dual-radio, 3x3 MIMO 802.11n solution and offers advanced security with integrated 802.11n wireless intrusion prevention. It also offers granular QoS capabilities and flexible deployment options to suit customer topologies and business needs.