Xirrus Features

The Xirrus RPM optimizes the bandwidth usage and station performance of 802.11n Wi-Fi networks. Leveraging the multiple integrated access point (multi-radio) design of the Xirrus Wi-Fi Array with up to 24 radios per device, RPM manages the allocation of wireless bandwidth to wireless stations across multiple RF channels. The result maximizes overall network performance with the flexibility and capacity traditional Access Points with 1 or 2 radios cannot match.

Today's wireless infrastructure is faced with ever increasing numbers and variations of Wi-Fi enabled clients, whether in the form of notebooks, netbooks, smart phones, IP phones, printers, projectors, cameras, RFID tags, etc. The advent of higher speed 802.11n Wi-Fi and its increased use of the 5GHz spectrum adds to the number of variables today's wireless networks must accommodate. Backwards compatibility with older clients is crucial, however their operation in a Wi-Fi network can significantly hinder the performance of faster clients. As an example, 802.11b Wi-Fi stations communicate more than 10 times slower than 802.11n stations.

The Xirrus Wi-Fi Array is ideal for efficiently deploying high-speed 802.11n networks while maintaining coexistence with older 802.11a/b/g clients because of its multi-radio design that integrates 4, 8, 12, 16 and soon 24 radios per device. With each radio operating on a different channel, RPM selects the ideal radio for each station.

High-speed stations are grouped together on radios with other high speed stations, while lower speed stations are combined with other lower speed stations. This ensures optimal performance for high-speed 802.11n stations without compromise.

The complete feature set of the RPM package includes:

• Station Load, Mode, and Band Balancing
• Automatic Cell Sizing
• Automatic Channel Allocation
• Sharp Cell technology
• Wireless Data Rate Optimization
• Wireless Traffic Shaping
• Wireless QoS policies
• Wireless Voice Call Admission Control

RPM is part of a family of functionality packages for the Xirrus Wi-Fi Array, which also includes the RF Security Manager (RSM) and RF Analysis Manager (RAM). All three packages are available now in the ArrayOS 4.0.6 software release.