Motorola Ups Its WLAN Management Game

Motorola has launched new wireless management software, in the first update of the products it acquired with WLAN specialist AirDefense in July 2008.

The new products will simplify and reduce the costs of managing enterprise wireless networks, and let IT managers remotely analyse and test wireless networks from a central location, and use self-healing features, Motorola said.

By providing IT departments with the ability to identify and fix network configuration issues remotely, Motorola said its solution can help reduce wireless network help desk support costs and related on-site troubleshooting expenses.

“Minimising operating expense is always important to network operations teams and especially so as wireless becomes the primary access for so many in the enterprise,” said Craig Mathias, a principal with the wireless and mobile advisory firm Farpoint Group. “It’s therefore critical that automation be applied to management tasks wherever possible.”

Motorola AirDefense’s Advanced Troubleshooting tool identifies wireless LAN configuration issues, helping IT managers reduce or eliminate bottlenecks and minimise downtime across the entire network. The tool set includes an Access Point Connectivity Testing module to identify connectivity problems with periodic end-to-end wireless network testing initiated over the air by a wireless sensor emulating a client.

The Connectivity Troubleshooting tool allows help desk personnel to perform analysis on wireless client connectivity issues and resolve or escalate trouble tickets without requiring extensive wireless expertise.

According to Motorola, its Smart RF (radio frequency) technology puts the wireless LAN RF environment on autopilot to reduce network monitoring costs by letting the wireless LAN adapt to changing RF conditions. In addition, Smart RF allows for the dynamic adjustment of the access point power and channels, automatically eliminating the gaps in wireless coverage.

“As more and more enterprises turn to wireless LAN as their primary network, IT departments are looking for innovative solutions that will help them maximise performance while keeping down costs associated with on-site network maintenance and troubleshooting,” said Sujai Hajela, vice president and general manager of Motorola’s Enterprise Wireless LAN.+