Xirrus was founded in 2003 by the same team that created the network connectivity market for portable computers at Xircom, Inc. (acquired by Intel in 2001). Drawing on their collective experiences, the founding team of Dirk Gates, Steve DeGennaro and Patrick Parker set out to create the next generation in enterprise wireless LAN architecture - centered on the Wireless LAN Array. The concept of the Wireless LAN Array stems from the simple premise that enterprise Wi-Fi networks need to become a true wireless extension of the wired Ethernet network offering the same performance, scalability and security characteristics found in today's wired networks. Current Wi-Fi architectures can't meet these needs and Xirrus seized the opportunity to provide an elegant solution letting IT administrators make wireless a full fledged extension of the enterprise network.

The WLAN Array represents the next generation in enterprise Wi-Fi architecture. The WLAN Array integrates the functionality of a WLAN switch and up to 16 access points into a single platform delivering Gigabit-class (16 x 54 = 864Mbps) of RF bandwidth. By integrating the major components found in today's Wi-Fi networks, Xirrus has simplified the deployment and management of a WLAN.

The WLAN Array consists of three key elements integrated into a single device:

• Array Controller
• Integrated Access Points
• Multi-sector Antenna System.

These components work in tandem to provide unprecedented capacity, coverage, security, manageability with a superior TCO model.

The embedded Array Controller is the heart of the WLAN Array and uses a Multi-channel MAC to control and optimize the Integrated Access Points (IAPs) of the WLAN Array. The Array Controller features a 2Gbps switching fabric and controls the packet flows of the IAPs while providing complete spectrum management.

The IAPs are located on 4 IAP Modules that connect to the Array Controller. The IAPs are controlled by the Multi-channel MAC creating the "thinnest" access points of any wireless LAN architecture.

The RF interface of the WLAN Array is delivered through the Multi-sector Antenna System. This high-gain WLAN antenna system carves the airspace up into equal sections or sectors. The increased directional transmit and receive gain in each RF sector produces extended reach in all directions.

The Xirrus Wireless LAN Array provides breakthrough capacity, coverage and cost performance metrics in the areas IT administrators value most: 

• Performance: Gigabit-class Wi-Fi (over 800Mbps of aggregate RF bandwidth)
• Rate and Range: Superior RF performance over an extended coverage up to 4x greater than other devices
• Cost: Fewer devices to deploy and manage, cost effective and best long term ROI
• Security: Supports the latest encryption and authentication standards for the protection of data
• Programmability: Allows the selection of 802.11a, 802.11b/g or 802.11g-only modes. The transmit power settings of each RF sector can be adjusted to create a "perfect fit" coverage pattern
• Manageability: Optional centralized management of multiple WLAN Arrays through the XM-3300

Wi-Fi bandwidth is shared across all users associated with a wireless LAN access point. The "collision avoidance" scheme that governs data transmissions in these networks limits products from providing the needed capacity to support large, data intensive networks.

Under the collision avoidance scheme, active clients wait for a channel to be clear (avoiding collisions) before transmitting packets; this causes wait times to mount as traffic loads increase and more users join the network - ultimately degrading the overall network performance as each device "listens" before transmitting.

Deploying more access points in a given area will only produce incremental improvements in capacity due to the channel reuse and co-channel interference problems that arise from placing multiple access points in close proximity to each other. Current architectures are not capable of maximizing capacity because they lack the ability to allow densely deployed access points to operate together and isolate RF bleed-over of transmissions between cells on the same channel.

The only way to successfully increase capacity in a Wi-Fi network is to simultaneously use as many non-overlapping channels as possible while eliminating channel reuse and co-channel interference issues.

Current Wi-Fi architectures use de-featured "thin" access points that are connected (physically or logically) to a centralized WLAN switch. The main purpose of this wireless switch is to centralize the management and provisioning of the access points.

Vendors offering these proprietary solutions lock IT administrators into solutions that do not scale. In order to increase the size of the WLAN, additional switches, appliances and/or software license upgrades must be purchased to support more access points, users and applications. These solutions are complicated and expensive to deploy and manage on an ongoing basis.

Even more critical, these solutions don't address the fundamental issue of adding capacity to the network. While the customer requirement exists to provide centralized management, competitive offerings utilizing wireless switches are limited because they lack the ability to provide MAC layer coordination between access points. Even the name "wireless switch" is a misnomer and vendors are backing away from this position as most products don't perform any switching functionality on the wireless side of the network unlike the WLAN Array; each of which includes a high performance switching fabric.

Only the WLAN Array maximizes the amount of RF bandwidth available to clients and allows for the efficient reuse of all non-overlapping channels within a Wi-Fi network.

Xirrus offers a family of products designed to enable large scale, performance-oriented enterprise Wi-Fi deployments.

Xirrus offers a family of WLAN Arrays in 16 (XS-3900), 8 (XS-3700) and 4 (XS-3500) Integrated Access Point configurations to support a variety of deployment scenarios and location types.

In addition to the WLAN Array family, Xirrus offers a Management Platform (XM-3300 and XC-2000) designed to centrally manage up to 500 WLAN Arrays from anywhere in the network. Our Management System sits outside of the data path and can discover, authenticate and automatically configure WLAN Arrays making large scale deployments simple to deploy and manage. Xirrus also offers a optional Remote Power System (XP-3100) which supplies 48 volt DC for up to 12 WLAN Arrays from the IT closet in the event that AC power is unavailable or cost prohibitive to deploy. The XP-3100 uses standard, data grade CAT-5 cable to carry 48 volt DC power to the WLAN Array from a centralized location at distances up to 300 feet (100 meters). For increased flexibility 16 gauge cable can be used in place of CAT-5 to extend the reach of the Remote Power System to 1,000 feet.

The Array Controller surpasses the functionality found in today's WLAN switches. In addition to the typical features of a WLAN switch, the Array Controller provides MAC layer control over all Integrated Access Points (IAPs) allowing the WLAN Array to function as a cohesive device. Competitive solutions can't deliver this level of coordination because each access point is a disparate device.

The Array Controller is supported by a 2Gbps switching fabric that allows traffic from one IAP to flow unrestricted to another IAP or to any uplink interface. This feature allows for maximum bandwidth without one interface "blocking" another interface or forcing traffic to flow to a WLAN switch and then back to an access point before being received by a client.

The WLAN Array is a single platform that provides the following:

• Gigabit-class Wi-Fi capacity
• Exceptional coverage and extended wireless LAN range in all directions
• High capacity wired backhaul including 2 Gigabit Ethernet Ports
• Large number of associated users

• Solves the issue of co-channel interference for maximum capacity
• Directional antennas provide enhanced penetration of RF obstacles (i.e. walls and cubicles)
• View of the local RF domain on all channels
• Efficient use of RF spectrum with command and control of all available wireless channels
• Directional awareness of clients with the RF environment determining which direction packets were sent
• Programmable RF pattern to create flexible coverage models

• Integrated RF sniffer for security threat monitoring
• Wireless Quality of Service through 802.11e (WMM) support
• Low Latency and Jitter for voice over wireless applications
• 802.1p Packet Prioritization and VLAN tagging
• Enhanced load balancing for clients

• Standards based and Wi-Fi compliant
• Instant Integrated Access Point (IAP), Ethernet and complete WLAN Array failover capabilities
• Coordinates RF spectrum management with other WLAN Arrays

• Soft-core MAC and encryption engines provide easy upgrade path to support new 802.11 standards
• Expandable memory provides system-wide support for new product and feature enhancements ensuring investment protection
• IAP Modules allow future upgradability of the WLAN Array radio technology

Programmable Integrated Access Points (IAPs) allow the IT administrator to set mode of operation and adjust transmit power levels on a per IAP basis.

The benefits of programmable IAPs include the ability to easily transition from 802.11b/g to 802.11a/b/g.

Xirrus provides multiple levels of security features that make the WLAN Array rock-solid and a trusted component of your network. Security features include:  

• The latest in wireless encryption and authentication including hardware-based AES and TKIP encryption with IEEE 802.1x authentication
• Dedicated wireless RF threat monitoring including Rogue AP detection
• Mechanical security; the WLAN Array can be locked to the mounting bracket and can be also be secured via a Kensington lock
• Administrator Account privileges and system management including SSHv2 and SNMPv3

The WLAN Array can be configured by any of the below methods:  

• Via the secure Web Management Interface over any of the Ethernet interfaces (if enabled)

• Via the optional Xirrus XM-3300 Management System or any other SNMP-based management system that supports the Xirrus MIB.

• Via Command Line Interface (CLI) over the serial port or using SSHv2 over an Ethernet interface (if enabled)

The Xirrus Management Platform (XM-3300 or XC-2000) can manage up to 500 WLAN Arrays from anywhere in the network. The Xirrus Management System operates outside of the data path providing a single view of the entire WLAN network. It provides all of the features of an enterprise-class management console including:  

• Automatic discovery, authentication and configuration of WLAN Arrays

• Security Policy Management

• Software upgrades

• Rogue AP detection and prevention

• User management and monitoring

• Performance reporting