Aruba Networks’ New RF Spectrum Analyzer Pumps Up Network Reliability

Aruba Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARUN), a global leader in distributed enterprise network solutions, today announced its new Spectrum Analysis Module, a software-based RF spectrum analyzer that works with all Aruba AP-105 and AP-120 series 802.11n access points with no new hardware required. The analyzer quickly identifies potential sources of interference and jamming that could affect network reliability, and can be enabled post-installation on any access point. An intuitive user interface makes quick work of configuring, reviewing, and recording spectrum data.

"Physical-layer visibility is essential in order to provide real-time wireless monitoring and control,” said Paul DeBeasi, Vice President & Research Director at Burton Group. "The information collected by embedded spectrum analyzers can provide real-time radio resource management. Most wireless vendors will eventually offer this capability for their 802.11n APs. With IT budgets under close scrutiny, and managers on the prowl for ways to derive greater value from existing network infrastructure, that day may arrive much sooner than most vendors realize.”

Today’s high-density, business-critical wireless LANs have to contend with ‘dirty air’ filled with interference from a variety of sources. "The proliferation of wireless devices can lead to interference susceptibility in campus and multi-site deployments,” said Dan Wilson, Vice President of Partner Alliances for Accuvant. "That‘s very difficult to address unless you are on site.”

Aruba’s new spectrum analyzer keeps networks and multimedia applications running in top form by isolating RF problems in real-time. With a simple checkbox entry on the Aruba controller, a feature-rich spectrum analyzer is enabled on any local or remote 802.11n access point in the network.

"Coupling spectrum analysis with Aruba’s best-in-class density, quality-of-service (QoS), and airtime fairness gives users complete control of the air,” said Keerti Melkote, Aruba’s Chief Technology Officer. "It also leapfrogs traditional and single-channel wireless LAN architectures, which are susceptible to interference yet blind to its sources. Without an integrated spectrum analyzer it is virtually impossible for administrators of these systems to isolate interference in sites with high client densities, latency-sensitive multimedia applications, or electromagnetically challenging RF environments like factories or hospitals.”

The new spectrum analyzer can scan the 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands and report on channel performance and interference sources. In addition to supporting traditional spectrum analyzer functions such as Fast Fourier transform displays, spectrograms, and interference source classification.

The analyzer also includes new capabilities such as interference charts, channel quality, and spectrum recording and playback. These data help isolate packet transmission issues, over-the-air QoS problems, and traffic congestion caused by contention with other devices operating in the same band or channel. Appropriate remediation measures can then be put in place to return the network to full performance. "Looking forward, our spectrum analyzer could be used with a heuristics knowledge base to completely automate RF interference detection and mitigation,” added Melkote.

The spectrum analyzer software will ship in the third quarter of 2010.

About Aruba Networks

Aruba is the global leader in distributed enterprise networks. Its award-winning portfolio of campus, branch/teleworker, and mobile solutions simplify operations and secure access to all corporate applications and services – regardless of the user’s device, location, or network. This dramatically improves productivity and lowers capital and operational costs.

Listed on the NASDAQ and Russell 2000® Index, Aruba is based in Sunnyvale, California, and has operations throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific regions. To learn more, visit Aruba at http://www.arubanetworks.com. For real-time news updates follow Aruba on Twitter, Facebook, or the Green Island News Blog.

© 2010 Aruba Networks, Inc. AirWave^®, Aruba Networks^®, Aruba Mobility Management System^®, Bluescanner, For Wireless That Works^®, Mobile Edge Architecture, People Move. Networks Must Follow., The All-Wireless Workplace Is Now Open For Business, RFprotect, Green Island, and The Mobile Edge Company^® are trademarks of Aruba Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.