Wireless network kit - suggestions please

[wagnerk]

Hi guys/gals,

Got a question for all of you. I'm looking at replacing our current wireless system (3Com), to a newer system and want to know what you guys are using, what problems you've had and what successes.

The things that I'd be looking at is the following:

1. AD/LDAP authentication
2. Multiple SSID's
3. N standard, preferable dual (both the 2.4GHz & the 5GHz)
4. Easy to maintain (both administration and upgrading of firmware, etc)
5. Of course centrally managed.
6. Scalable
7. Support QoS

I'm looking into Ruckus, and will be looking into Aruba, any others out there worth a look?

-Ken

[MatthewL]

We have just trailed Aruba and a have just signed the order off, hoped to be installed soon, very impressed with the kit.

[Edu-IT]

Ruckus here, with N, and it's awesome!

[nephilim]

Again with Ruckus, <Edited. No advertising on another sponsors forum please - dos_box>

[Dos_Box]

Ruckus again, it does everything you need and does'nt come with bells and whistles you don't. And more importantly, it's affordable!

[garethedmondson]

We have just trailed Aruba and a have just signed the order off, hoped to be installed soon, very impressed with the kit.

This is the one our LEA support. When I asked them about Ruckus they told us they had trialled and tested Aruba and were happy with it. This is what is offered in Swansea schools.

GJE

[GrumbleDook]

@wagnerk : It is your job, should you accept it, to talk to the other schools in the LA and get a list of what they are running.

[Ric_]

My Bluesocket kit is ace and works rather well. I have also configured the EduGeek Ruckus kit though and found that it is far easier to configure and it's CHEAP.

I would advise that you check licensing costs for the number of APs and number of clients. Some systems sell licenses per X APs so you can get stung a huge amount of cash for adding another AP (*cough*cisco*cough*). Other systems require wiring back to the controller which is costly and impractical when you have multiple buildings.

[dirtydog]

Ruckus kit here now (thank goodness no more standalone DLINK APs!), all N access points. It does a lot more than I realise now with the firmware updates Ive had in the last year or so but its easy to work with. Have a chat with the guys at Net-Ctrl they know the kit inside out.

[EduTech]

Ruckus again here! N Standard - Dual Band AP's they are great peice's of kit speak to Net-Ctrl you'll probably get through to aggy who i am sure would be happy to sort something out for you.

James.

[Mattkirk]

We use Xirrus - never heard of them before but came in and did a free survey, left us a unit to try!

Excellent product, they beat the rest of the market and have even become Microsoft's preferred product.

We have a single array that covers the whole of our Infants (6 classrooms, hall, offices) perfect signal.

Give them a call

[mattstevenson2005]

We are just ordering the Meru system, it looks brilliant

[robk]

Just about to trial Ruckus, certainly impressed with Net-ctrl's response so far.

[MicrodigitUK]

We have been using Aruba for several years now and haven’t had any problems with it up until now.

The main problem is that now we have full class rooms of 32 laptops in rooms in close proximity we have started to hit limitations. In the past it was just sets of 16 laptops it coped well. Also there new n equipment hasn’t evolved much from there earlier a/g kit.

Don’t get me wrong it’s a good system it’s just we have started to hit its current limitations. Also the N access points and licences are quite pricey.

We have started to look at our options and I had a look at Xirrus at BETT. They seem to have the right solution for our current needs and demands of large classes of laptops.

I’ve got them coming in next week to set up a test section of our site with their kit and from watt iv seen so far it looks like it’s going to kick ass on any other systems out there.

It rely depends on your needs and how much you want to future proof things.

Aruba is fine for class sizes of say around 20 laptops in close proximity but once you start having larger and more classes of laptops in one area it starts to grind.

I am also looking at Ruckus and might get them in for a trial also, but the Xirrus kit looks to be the best on the market at the moment. You also seem to deal witE Xirrus direct with no middle man so they know what there kit can do and how best to do it. 5 year warranty isn’t bad either.

[SimpleSi]

IT MANAGER
ALBERT BRADBEER PRIMARY SCHOOL

An IT Manager - in a Primary

How big's your primary?

regards

Simon