What Is A Wi-Fi Controller?

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Monday

Jul042011

A Wi-Fi Access Point (AP) can operate as a stand alone device, in which case it's known as an Autonomous AP or it can be managed by a device known as a Wi-Fi Controller.

Before exploring the benefits of Wi-Fi controllers it's best to look at the limitations of Autonomous Access Points.

Autonomous Access Points can perform encryption, if a user associates (connects) with an AP that requires traffic be encrypted, the user will be asked to supply the encryption key (passphrase) and if it matches the key configured on the AP, the user can now send encrypted traffic back and forth between himself and the AP. Encryption is an option, traffic could also be sent "in the clear" as is the custom at public hotspots, etc. These days encryption is done using the AES algorithm for very strong encryption.

This pretty much sums up what an autonomous AP can do. Here's what an Autonomous AP can't do:

It can't hand off a connection to a neighboring AP (roaming)
It can't employ encryption where each user has a unique encryption key
It can't ask users to authenticate, ie: ask for username and password
It can't act in concert with other APs to adjust power levels
It can't act in concert with other APs to adjust channel assignments
It can't authenticate users against an external database, ie: RADIUS
It can't report interference to a centralized management device
It can't report rogue access points to a centralized management device
It can't report rogue DHCP servers to a centralized management device
It can't launch countermeasures when threats are active
It can't send traffic to a neighboring AP if it's network connection is lost
It can't participate in a Mesh network
It can't find RFID tags through triangulation
It can't log events to a Syslog server
It can't send SNMP traps
It can't identify brute force password attacks
It can't receive firmware upgrades from a centralized server
It can't filter traffic based on TCP ports
It can't filter traffic based on IP addresses
It can't filter traffic based on MAC address
It can't restrict user traffic based on their roles in the company
It can't restrict traffic based on WLAN
It can't deliver statistics and information to a NMS (requires FlexMaster)
It can't track who the most active stations are
It can't track frames being retransmitted
It can't redirect users to a web page for authentication
It can't report the speeds each user is getting from the AP
It can't grant guest access to temporary users
It can't revoke a users login credentials
It can't support more than 8 WLANs
It can't email critical events to the administrator
It can't place WLANs into WLAN groups for ease of administration
It can't forward user connection details to other APs
It can't load balance users across adjacent APs
It can't receive ACL policy changes from a centralized server
It can't disconnect and ban users from the network

It can't throttle bandwidth usage on a per WLAN basis

This is just a partial list of things that require a WLAN controller in order to achieve. The controller is the centralized "brains" of the Wi-Fi network. Controllers can also be configured in failover pairs for fault tolerance. Even with a single AP, having a controller is almost mandatory.

Sabertech Wireless

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Copyright © 2011, Sabertech Wireless. We Design and Install Wireless Networks, Microwave Point To Point Links, Wi-Fi Access Points, Controllers and Hotspots throughout Los Angeles and all of Southern California. We are a state licensed installation contractor. Sabertech Wireless performs RF Site Surveys and Spectrum and Protocol analysis. We are an authorized Ruckus Wireless Reseller and our technicians install wireless data networks, back haul and wireless infrastructure. We install Wi-Fi equipment in commercial buildings, education, retail and manufacturing locations. Sabertech Wireless installs RFID systems, Real Time Locating Systems and Voice over WiFi phone systems. We are located in Los Angeles county and serve all of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Kern, San Bernadino and Ventura counties.