Netgear has launched a new family of ProSafe Wireless Management offerings, designed to meet the demands of small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), schools and enterprises with up to 1,500 users.
The company said that the family of products will enable growing businesses to manage their wireless network from one place. The new suite of ProSafe Wireless Management products include 5-AP Wireless Management Software WMS105; 16-AP Wireless Management System WMS5316; and 20-AP Wireless Controller WC7520.
The ProSafe Wireless Management Suite of products enables businesses and mid-size enterprises to deliver connectivity, secure wireless LAN functionality and the ability to configure, control and manage seven different access points (APs) ranging from SOHO-class IEEE 802.11g APs to professional-caliber dual-band IEEE 802.11n Aps, the company said.
According to Netgear, the new WMS105 software designed for small businesses with five to 50 users includes automatic wireless access point discovery, comes with centralised configuration for up to five APs and supports existing Netgear access points including WNDAP350, WNDAP330, WNAP210, WG302v2, WG103, WN802Tv2 and WG602v4. It is expected to be available in May 2010, for $50.
The WMS5316 offers simple central wireless management for businesses and schools with 50 to 200 users and comes with the ability to manage five to 16 APs. Guest access enables restricted access to the network, ensuring protection of sensitive data. It comes with support for existing Netgear access points, including WNDAP350, WNDAP330, WNAP210, WG302v2, WG103, WN802Tv2, and WG602v4. It is expected to be available in March 2010, for $910, the company said.
In addition, the WC7520 scales up to 1,500 users. It supports up to 50 APs on a single unit; stackable up to three controllers and 150 APs. Guest access enables restricted access to the network, with a captive portal and comes with support for existing Netgear access points, including WNDAP350 and WNAP210. It is expected to be available in July 2010, for $6,280.
Laurent Masia, product line manager for managed infrastructure products at Netgear, said: “Most wireless networking vendors offer either expensive solutions designed for the FORTUNE 500 or single AP solutions – neither of which is suitable for a growing business.
“The management of wireless networks has been identified as a top priority for growing businesses, and Netgear has responded to this request with leading price/performance solutions. We are now the only company delivering a family of wireless management products that exceed the requirements of the majority of businesses worldwide.
