Motorola WiNG (Extreme Networks) - Short Review

Product Overview: Motorola WiNG (Extreme Networks)

Motorola WiNG, now part of Extreme Networks, is a comprehensive portfolio of products and solutions designed for building, operating, and managing enterprise Wi-Fi networks of all sizes. This system is tailored to meet the wireless networking needs of various environments, including enterprises, retail, education, hospitality, and more.

Core Components

The Motorola WiNG wireless network architecture is built around two primary components:

Access Points (APs)

• Thin APs: These APs have limited self-intelligence and must operate in conjunction with a Wi-Fi controller, tunneling all traffic through it. Examples include the Zebra AP100, AP200, AP300, and AP650 (with WiNG 4 only).
• Dependent APs: While these APs also require a Wi-Fi controller, they do not need to tunnel network traffic through the controller. Examples include the AP621, AP622, and AP650 (with WiNG 5 only).
• Independent APs: These APs can operate independently without a Wi-Fi controller but can still be centrally managed and secured using a controller. Examples include the AP-5131, AP-6521, AP-6522, AP-8132, AP-8163, AP-7522, AP-7532, and AP-7632.

Wi-Fi Controllers

• RFS4000 and RFS6000: These controllers, though no longer in production, were designed for smaller and medium-sized networks, respectively.
• NX7500: An integrated LAN and WLAN solution that supports up to 2048 APs and features WiNG 7 support.
• VX9000: A virtualized controller that offers high scalability, supporting up to 25,000 access points, and is compatible with various server and hypervisor environments. It provides advanced security services, plug-and-play installation, and simplified license management.

Key Features and Functionality

Network Management and Security

• The WiNG system includes comprehensive integrated network security services such as wired/wireless firewalls, Wireless Intrusion Protection Systems (WIPS), IPSec VPN gateways, AAA radius servers, and secure guest access with captive web portals and MAC-based authentication.
• Advanced security features include role-based firewalls, anomaly analysis, and 802.11w to secure management frames.

Application Visibility and Control

• The WiNG operating system incorporates a Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) engine that provides visibility and control over layer-7 applications. This allows for real-time detection and identification of thousands of applications, enabling network administrators to enforce firewall and QoS policies based on application context.

Performance and Scalability

• The system is designed to scale efficiently from small networks to large, geographically dispersed deployments. It features a cooperative, distributed control plane that distributes controller functionality to every access point, ensuring optimal performance and efficient routing of transmissions.
• The VX9000 virtualized controller supports up to 25,000 access points, making it highly scalable for cloud deployments.

Real-Time Optimization and Analytics

• Access points like the AP7632i offer real-time network optimization for high-density environments, application detection, analysis, and control at the edge, and service differentiation for various network needs.
• The system integrates with NSight Analytics, providing in-depth insights into network statistics, client devices, and application usage.

Flexibility and Ease of Deployment

• The WiNG system supports plug-and-play installation and automated equipment discovery and configuration, simplifying the deployment process. It also allows for zero-touch installation and rule-based access point adoption.
• The VX9000 controller can run on various servers and hypervisors, offering flexibility in deployment whether in a private or public cloud environment.

Ideal Applications

Motorola WiNG solutions are suitable for a variety of environments, including:

• Enterprise WLAN
• Retail WLAN for inventory, staff, and guest access
• K-12 classrooms and higher education
• Hospitality conference rooms
• Transportation and logistics warehouses
• Manufacturing plants.

In summary, the Motorola WiNG (Extreme Networks) solution offers a robust, scalable, and highly secure wireless networking platform with advanced features for application visibility, network optimization, and simplified management, making it an ideal choice for diverse enterprise environments.