Network Administrators are challenged with simplifying Wi-Fi deployments while still providing a solution that meets today’s performance requirements that will evolve with future 802.11 standards. They are faced with questions such as:

• Can wireless become the new network edge?
• Which architecture is best to support 11n: centralized or distributed?

Consider the following when deciding between traditional Controller/AP designs and the Xirrus Wi-Fi Array:

	Simple	Complex	Advantage Defined
Site Survey	Wi-Fi Array	Controller/AP	The complexity of controller/AP architectures requires predictive analysis software and only minimum RF verification leading to additional equipment and cost, while the Array architecture allows for 100% of the area to be surveyed guaranteeing analysis in 75% less time.
Equipment	Wi-Fi Array	Controller/AP	Integrating the controller, multiple radios, high-gain directional antennas, threat sensor, and spectrum analyzer into a single device, the Array provides 2X the range and 4X the coverage, yielding 75% fewer devices to install and manage.
Infrastructure	Wi-Fi Array	Controller/AP	The Array requires 75% fewer switch ports and cable drops to plan, pull, punch down, test, troubleshoot, maintain, and pay for.
Integration	Wi-Fi Array	Controller/AP	Unlike controller/AP architectures that require changes to the core network, the Array simply acts as an extension to the wired network.
Installation	Wi-Fi Array	Controller/AP	Installation time with controller/AP architectures takes days due to the complexity and amount of equipment needed, while the Array is installed in minutes.
Configuration	Wi-Fi Array	Controller/AP	The Array’s auto-configuration feature eliminates the need for “professional services” by providing automatic channel selection, dynamic cell sizing, and automatic RF monitoring at the click of a button.
Management	Wi-Fi Array	Controller/AP	The Array’s automatic channel assignment, automatic cell sizing, and self monitoring allow lights-out management of the wireless network.
Upgradeability (802.11n)	Wi-Fi Array	Controller/AP	Controller/AP architectures are not upgradable to 802.11n, while the Array architecture is completely modular and upgradable – a simple swap of the radio modules and flash of the ArrayOS will upgrade the Array to 802.11n.
Warranty and Licenses	Wi-Fi Array	Controller/AP	Controller/AP architectures utilize complicated licensing models charging for specific features, controllers, and by the number of APs, while the Array has a one-year warranty inclusive of the hardware and ArrayOS at no additional cost.

The Xirrus Wi-Fi Array is the only Wi-Fi device capable of replacing a traditional workgroup switch.

The Xirrus Wi-Fi Array integrates 4, 8, or 16 802.11a/b/g radios and a high-gain directional antenna system with an onboard Gigabit Switch, Wi-Fi Controller, Wi-Fi Firewall, and dedicated Wi-Fi Threat Sensor into a single device.

The Xirrus solution obsoletes traditional Wi-Fi offerings by delivering 2X more range, 4X more coverage, 8X more bandwidth, 14X more throughput per cable drop – using 75% fewer devices, cables, and switch ports with a fraction of the installation time over any other offering.