We have a 50/50 mix of Cisco 1230s and Xirrus.
We currently have 43 Xirrus arrays in 12 buildings with different
models. Currently we are using the XS-3500s (4 radios, but
discontinued), XS-4s (successor of the XS-3500s), XS-8s (4 2.4 ghz
radios and 4 5 Ghz radios), and the new XN-8s (Draft N II I believe). We
have had some issues with features, but that can be expected from a
relatively new company. All were fixed relatively quickly; their support
staff is extremely quick. If I have a problem I usually can talk to
support immediately and a solution is found within a week.
Our main problem with the arrays is mostly in the planning stage. It is
not as easy to find a happy medium of coverage while minimizing
interference due to the multiple radios in a single unit. I have found
that they work well in more open buildings, such as our academic
building, but enclosed areas require careful planning to achieve
adequate coverage. Also, if you have a relatively small area that isn't
receiving good coverage your options are limited. You can put up another
array, but with the multiple radios you could cause interference issues.
You could disable some of the radios, but in my opinion that is a waste.
I don't know what plans are for utilizing the different flavors of
wifi, but I would recommend going with the 8 radio models, especially if
you are planning to go N. This will allow you to support both spectrums,
handle backwards compatibility, have more channels for bonding, and the
8 radio models have more powerful radios.
The arrays can be controlled individually, but Xirrus does make a server
that does allow for some centralized management. It is called XMS and it
works similarly to Cisco's WLSE. I haven't been keeping up on it for
awhile, but last I checked it came as an appliance or in Windows Server
2003.
--
Heath Barnhart
Asst. Systems and Networking Admin
Information Systems and Services
Washburn University
Topeka, KS 66621
Joe Lim wrote:
We are currently evaluating 4 wireless vendors for deployment in our
residences. They are Xirrus, Meru, Enterasys, and Aruba.
Any comments anyone wants to share about these vendors, their
technology and support.
Thanks in advance.
-----
Joe Lim
University of Toronto Mississauga
Chief Information Officer
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 905-569-4455
"Do... Do Not... There is no try" (Yoda)
THIS EMAIL COMMUNICATION IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE PERSON OR ENTITY TO
WHICH IT IS ADDRESSED AND MAY CONTAIN CONFIDENTIAL AND/OR PRIVILEGED
INFORMATION. ANY USE OF THIS INFORMATION BY PERSONS OR ENTITIES OTHER
THAN THE INTENDED RECIPIENT IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU RECEIVED THIS
IN ERROR, PLEASE CONTACT THE SENDER AND DELETE THE EMAIL AND ALL
COPIES (ELECTRONIC OR OTHERWISE) IMMEDIATELY.
CE COURRIEL EST DESTINE UNIQUEMENT A LA PERSONNE OU A L'ENTITE A
LAQUELLE IL EST ENVOYE ET PEUT CONTENIR DE L'INFORMATION CONFIDENTIELLE
OU PRIVILEGIEE. TOUTE UTILISATION DE L'INFORMATION PAR UNE PERSONNE
OU UNE ENTITE AUTRE QUE CELLE A LAQUELLE ELLE EST DESTINEE EST
INTERDITE. SI VOUS RECEVEZ CE COURRIEL PAR ERREUR, VEUILLEZ COMMUNIQUER
AVEC SON EXPEDITEUR ET SUPPRIMER CE COURRIEL ET TOUTE COPIE
(ELECTRONIQUE OU AUTRE) IMMEDIATEMENT.
********** Participation and subscription information for this
EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at
http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
--
Heath Barnhart
Asst. Systems and Networking Admin
Information Systems and Services
Washburn University
Topeka, KS 66621
**********
Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group
discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
