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Industry innovators 2007: AirWave

Wireless is not the future. It is now. Organizations are demanding wireless connectivity and IT departments are struggling to deploy it, while security managers are pushing back hard until security concerns for this pervasive technology can be addressed. The issues are management and security. Management is, among other things, an issue of ensuring that rogue access points are identified and removed quickly. Security includes all of the security issues that are part of wired networks, plus the challenge of pervasive connectiveity.

Managing a wireless network is not a simple task, but AirWave Wireless streamlines management and security in one place. The AirWave Management Platform, or AMP, allows administrators to monitor all aspects of a wireless network closely. While AirWave does not provide access points, this product works with most of the leading access point vendors.

Once this product is set up, an administrator can logon to view real-time and historical information about who is where and on what network. The hallmark of this product is that it is visual.

AMP can manage all types of wireless networks, including Wi-Fi, Mesh, point-to-point, WiMAX, as well as others. This assures the administration of wireless networks no matter how they are set up. Finally, AMP allows for tweaking and adjustment to access points, including the optimization of radio frequency (RF) channels on the network, so administrators can be sure of full coverage in all wireless areas.

AirWave will continue to optimize this product as future technologies evolve. One of the main features coming up is the integration of wireless N (802.11n) support. 802.11n is a new standard that increases the speed and range of wireless access points.

AirWave is constantly working with customers to ensure that its vision and innovations address real market needs. In a marketplace that is growing as fast as wireless, that, by itself, is a real challenge.


AT A GLANCE
What it is: Wireless security management system
Vendor: AirWave Wireless, Inc.- www.airwave.com
Cost: $3,495 for 25 devices
Innovation:  Visual approach to wireless management
What we liked: Comprehensive suite of functions

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