Ruckus ZoneDirector to SmartZone Webinar

[Net-Ctrl]

On Friday (08th Feb) at 10.00 we’re running a webinar with Ruckus that I thought might be of interest to some of you.

 

It’s going to be looking at the transition from the ZoneDirector to the Smartzone, their current management platform, and looking at some of the latest features.

 

It’s being led by a Ruckus engineer and should be a good introduction into the technology. It’s only going to be 30-45 mins and will have a Q+A session. Even if you dont have a ZoneDirector and are interested in learning a little more about the SmartZone then you may find this worthwhile attending.

 

Please send me a PM if you're interested and I will forward the invite and login details over.

 

Agenda:

 

Why migrate from ZoneDirector to SmartZone controller:

 

- The rise of the SmartZone

- ZoneDirector to SmartZone comparison

- Delve into SmartZone features

- Demo of SmartZone dashboard

 

If you have any questions, please let me know.

[DJ-1701]

As you know, life in IT can be hectic at the best of times. Will there be a video of the webinar if we are unable to join in or get called away? Many thanks.

[FN-GM]

If you have a ZoneDirector that is still in support can you move to the SmartZone without any additional cost please?

[Net-Ctrl]

As you know, life in IT can be hectic at the best of times. Will there be a video of the webinar if we are unable to join in or get called away? Many thanks.

 

Very true

 

Yes, the session will be recorded and I can distribute out to those interested. If you have any specific questions, you can also send them through to me and I will raise them during the session.

[Boredguy]

Doesn't Smartzone also have a yearly per AP cost after the initial migration?

[Net-Ctrl]

If you have a ZoneDirector that is still in support can you move to the SmartZone without any additional cost please?

 

Yes, there are normally incentives available for clients transitioning. Unfortunately, support can't be transferred between platforms - but the incentives tend to be in the form of discounted licenses.

 

For anyone in this situation I would advise speaking with your reseller to do see what can be offered - for those without a dedicated reseller - please feel free to send me a PM and I can look into what can be offered.

[FN-GM]

Yes, there are normally incentives available for clients transitioning. Unfortunately, support can't be transferred between platforms - but the incentives tend to be in the form of discounted licenses.

 

For anyone in this situation I would advise speaking with your reseller to do see what can be offered - for those without a dedicated reseller - please feel free to send me a PM and I can look into what can be offered.

 

For us there is no real point then. Might as well keep with our HA ZoneDirector units.

[Net-Ctrl]

Doesn't Smartzone also have a yearly per AP cost after the initial migration?

 

Regarding APs the costs are:

Management license which is perpetual

Support license - this is based on 1, 3 and 5 years - this is renewable.

 

So, if you only ever renewed on a 1 year basis then that cost would be annual, however like most things the more years you buy the cheaper the per annum cost is.

[Boredguy]

Here is a good question.

 

If we already have a valid SSL certificate on our current ZoneDirector, can that get applied to the SmartZone, so that users still get pointed to the FQDN of our choice (such as wifi.school.sch.uk), instead of the IP/Name of the Smartzone?

[Net-Ctrl]

For us there is no real point then. Might as well keep with our HA ZoneDirector units.

 

Perhaps not. At the moment it would depend what APs you're running and also whether you're having problems with the ZD.

 

The ZD3000 announced End-of-Sale in June last year, this took effect last month. You will however still be eligible for support until 2023 as Ruckus provide 5 years support from EoS announcement. At the moment we have been advised that the last firmware code to be released for this controller will be 10.3, we’re currently on 10.2, and expect to see 10.3 around May/June time.

 

If however you're having problems with your ZoneDirector, or are working on upgrade plans for the next few years it may be of interest. The SmartZone also comes in a virtual appliance which people have liked.

 

If you're interested in finding out more of the differences between the two platforms then it would be worth listening to the content.

[Net-Ctrl]

Here is a good question.

 

If we already have a valid SSL certificate on our current ZoneDirector, can that get applied to the SmartZone, so that users still get pointed to the FQDN of our choice (such as wifi.school.sch.uk), instead of the IP/Name of the Smartzone?

 

Yes, you can, as long as their is only one controller system in place, so either the ZoneDirector or SmartZone. We would then update the DNS entry to point to the relevant location.

[SYNACK]

Oh, did that migration last year from an unsupported ZD to a shiney new vSZ. Was totally worth it even if the SZ is a whole lot more complex. Would be interested in the video and/or details.

 

As to questions: Are the new versions covered under the support liscence? They jumped from 3.5 to 5.0 just after I did the upgrade so am curious.

[Net-Ctrl]

Oh, did that migration last year from an unsupported ZD to a shiney new vSZ. Was totally worth it even if the SZ is a whole lot more complex. Would be interested in the video and/or details.

 

As to questions: Are the new versions covered under the support liscence? They jumped from 3.5 to 5.0 just after I did the upgrade so am curious.

 

Whilst under support you are entitled to all firmware upgrades available. The only limitation would be your APs as to whether they support the latest versions. The firmware versions did jump, they went 3.5 - 3.6 - 5.0 - 5.1. I can't quite remember why they missed the numbers inbetween.

[SYNACK]

Whilst under support you are entitled to all firmware upgrades available. The only limitation would be your APs as to whether they support the latest versions. The firmware versions did jump, they went 3.5 - 3.6 - 5.0 - 5.1. I can't quite remember why they missed the numbers inbetween.

Thanks, unfortunately we are saddled with mostly 11n ones whos last supported release is 3.6 but glad to hear we can move up once we have replaced them all.

[ADMaster]

Whilst under support you are entitled to all firmware upgrades available. The only limitation would be your APs as to whether they support the latest versions. The firmware versions did jump, they went 3.5 - 3.6 - 5.0 - 5.1. I can't quite remember why they missed the numbers inbetween.

 

I think they made the big jump in version numbers because 5/5.1 added icx switch management.

 

I have a ZD3000 and am working on network upgrade plans for this summer. If I end up with ruckus I'll be on the VSZ.

[Net-Ctrl]

If you would find it useful I can send you the recording of the session? It will give you a tour of the SmartZone dash and a comparison of the ZD. You're welcome to join the session as well, but timings may not be convenient.

[chrisakak9]

If you would find it useful I can send you the recording of the session? It will give you a tour of the SmartZone dash and a comparison of the ZD. You're welcome to join the session as well, but timings may not be convenient.

can I tag along to a copy too please?

[Net-Ctrl]

No problem at all. If you could PM an email address I'll send you the invite and login information. Alternatively, if the time isn't convenient I can send you the recording

[Net-Ctrl]

Thank you to all those that attended today's webinar, and to those that have requested the link to access the recording. For anyone else that would like access, please let me know and I will send all the information over.