The Xirrus approach to designing wireless LAN equipment that enables simple Wi-Fi setup involves a variety of components - all of which play a crucial role in the deployment of each system, all of which are housed in one revolutionary device: the Wi-Fi Array. One constituent of the Wi-Fi Array is an internal system comprised of high gain wireless LAN antennas. These wireless LAN antennas constitute the Wi-Fi Array's Multi-sector antenna system - a specialized system consisting of multiple wireless LAN antennas assigned to individual sectors of airspace. By dividing up the airspace and allowing only one antenna to cover that area, the system capitalizes on the ability of each antenna. This multi-sector approach reaps the following benefits in terms of area coverage and information transmittal:

• Each Wi-Fi Array offers up to 16 RF sectors

• The wireless LAN antennas provide high gain capabilities for extended coverage

• The Wi-Fi Array provides a switchable internal omni-directional wireless LAN antenna for dedicated RF monitoring

• The sectorized antenna system provides RF overlap by adjacent sectors

• The Xirrus solution supplies increased bandwidth and area coverage

Where originally IT administrators relied upon the implementation of additional access points to increase coverage, that solution was limiting for a number of reasons including negligible gains, difficult management, prohibitory expense while creating additional issues of channel interence. In the Wi-Fi Array, embedded access points work in tandem with the wireless LAN antennas and the WLAN switch, or Array Controller, to create a wireless LAN supported by one device, one that surpasses former expectations and facilitates Wi-Fi setup.

All the Functions of a WLAN Switch and More

The Array Controller, which fills the role of the WLAN switch, is the center of the Wi-Fi Array. This specialized WLAN switch is employed for a variety of purposes; however, its primary function is to coordinate the Integrated Access Points (IAPs) of the Wi-Fi Array. The other responsibilities of the WLAN switch includes the management of wired and wireless packet flows, spectrum management and the coordination of the wireless LAN antennas. This WLAN switch houses Xirrus' patent-pending Multi-channel MAC to control and optimize the IAPs.

To create the revolutionary Wi-Fi Array Platform, Xirrus has employed next-generation technology. The inclusion of revolutionary technical tools assists in the consistent workings of the WLAN switch. By using these tools, Xirrus is not only creating a network that is efficient, but also one that alleviates the frustration and problems that can accompany a less capable system. This extensive technology allows the Array Controller to perform functions beyond the capacity of the standard WLAN switch.

Simplified Wi-Fi Setup

Combining these features has enabled Xirrus to reimagine and reinvent the standard Wi-Fi setup. Under these new wireless LAN systems, administrators are no longer spending hours in deployment and maintenance. One of the primary benefits of moving to a Xirrus system is the simplified Wi-Fi setup and maintenance; with greater capacity and range located in one easy-to-install device, adding more access points to increase power or to facilitate bandwidth-intensive applications such as VoWLAN is a thing of the past.

Mitigating the management troubles generally associated with Wi-Fi setup, Xirrus XM and XC Management Platforms can simplify the entire process and make maintenance of small or large wireless LANs as easy as possible. By taking over the responsibility of managing the configuration settings, providing firmware updates, and reporting system capabilities, the XM and XC platforms are a valuable tool during both the initial Wi-Fi setup and over the life of the network.

Easy Wi-Fi Setup for Any Size Enterprise

The internal workings of the Wi-Fi Array make Xirrus a functional and efficient choice for any enterprise including large, multi-floor deployments can benefit from the ease provided by Xirrus Wi-Fi equipment during setup and maintenance. The internal wireless LAN antennas and WLAN switch are two components that make these systems valuable tools for either smaller organizations networking office branches, or large companies inhabiting high rise buildings. Allowing for simple multi-floor Wi-Fi setup is just one of the deployment benefits that any company, large or small, can profit from.

If your enterprise is considering WLAN deployment, and is looking for a system with simple Wi-Fi setup, sophisticated WLAN switch functionality, and extensive coverage from Xirrus's sophisticated IAPs and multi-sector wireless LAN antennas, speaking with one of our Authorized Xirrus Solution Providers can help you decide which system is the right choice.