In today`s business environment, the enterprise LAN has become increasingly vital in providing access to mission critical resources like email, enterprise resource planning applications and corporate Intranets. At the same time, the corporate workforce has become highly mobile with greater use of laptops, cellular phones and hand-held devices. The only remaining constraint is wiring.
It`s ironic that business users can connect instantly with their partners across the world but can`t maintain connection while moving to a conference room across the hall.
3Com`s AirConnect 11 Mbps Wireless LAN solution solves the problem of modern networking needs, offering simple reliable connections.
AirConnect enables you to provide network access in hard-to-wire locations, as well as conference rooms and public areas.
AirConnect ensures connectivity between remote branch offices and hassle-free connectivity in spaces that are frequently reconfigured.
Based on the IEEE 802.11b High Rate standard, 3Com`s AirConnect Wireless LAN solution enables users to send and receive information up to 11 Mbps. Each access point supports up to 63 simultaneous users and provides a 100m radius of wireless coverage.
3Com`s AirConnect also lowers the total cost of ownership of Wireless LANs by integrating seamlessly with your existing Ethernet network. AirConnect comes with a suite of installation, management and end-user tools that make it simple to extend your network beyond your desktop to the far reaches of your organisation.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How secure is the 3COM AirConnect?
A. The AirConnect solution supports multiple layers of security. In order to gain access to the network you must know your network ID of an access point. Once associated with an Access Point, the user has the same security provided on the network. AirConnect will support the Weird Equivalent Privacy (WEP, which is a standards-based protocol for wireless.) The AirConnect uses an RC4 algorithm with a 40-bit or 128-bit key to encrypt the wireless portion of data transmission. 3Com is working on an IPSec, a 56- bit DES encryption and 168 3DES solution that will enable our wireless technology in the future.
Q. Will the signal travel though walls?
A. Yes. 3Com AirConnect wireless LAN PC and PCI Cards send signals using radio frequency which will go though many barriers, including glass, cubicle walls and wooden walls. This allows a signal to be received around corners when a barrier cannot be penetrated.
Q. Is this a shared or switched technology?
A. The AirConnect solution includes an Access Point (a generic term for a wireless hub), which is a shared medium.
Q. Can I set up a completely wireless LAN, without attaching to a wired backbone?
A. No. In order to have access to the network services, such as email, Internet access, network - based applications, and printing, the wireless LAN must be connected to a wired backbone.
If you have any additional questions please don`t hesitate to contact Westcon.
www.westcon.co.za
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