Wireless local area network infrastructure company AirFlow Networks has developed a system intended to simplify the installation and administration of WLANs, a critical need for the technology to gain traction in the enterprise market.
AirFlow’s system, which includes its AirServer, AirSwitch and AirHub products, can be deployed and scaled to fill in gaps in coverage while eliminating RF access point interference-both common problems in existing WLAN networks, according to Brian Jenkins, Airflow’s vice president of product marketing.
AirFlow’s technology basically turns what would traditionally constitute access-point interference into redundancy, actually increasing network reliability and capacity, explained Jenkins. In addition, in eliminating coverage gaps, there is less likelihood a wireless connection will fail while a device searches for a new access point. Therefore, AirFlow’s network also provides a viable enterprise solution for voice over WLAN. The current industry standard for WLANs is a “nuisance for data applications and death for voice applications,” reiterated Jenkins.
The company has been testing its products, which are now in production, for nearly a year and has 10 patents filed.
Technology such as AirFlow’s is necessary for WLANs to gain ground in the enterprise space, according to recent research from IDC that shows mobile end users continue to use wireless technology more for personal use than professional. A survey of more than 2,500 members of IDC’s Mobile Advisory Council found 34 percent of respondents use a wireless 802.11 Wi-Fi network at home, while 27 percent use a comparable network at work.
“In lean economic times, providing a wireless LAN is a low priority for many IT organizations, while lower price points on wireless access points has spurred increased use of WLAN in the home,” said Randy Giusto, IDC’s vice president of personal technology and services. Giusto added that the use of wireless at home is also being driven by the low cost of wireless-enabled computing devices and wireless home network solutions.
