Sophos Wireless: Product Overview
Introduction
Sophos Wireless is a comprehensive wireless network solution designed to provide secure, reliable, and easily manageable wireless connectivity. It integrates seamlessly with other Sophos products, offering a unified management experience through Sophos Central.
Key Features and Functionality
Synchronized Connectivity
Sophos Wireless enables synchronized connectivity by automatically controlling access for managed clients based on their health status. This ensures that only healthy and compliant devices can connect to the network, enhancing overall network security and performance.
Threat Discovery
The system includes advanced threat discovery capabilities, instantly identifying and classifying potential threats such as rogue access points, spoofing attempts, and unknown devices on the network. This proactive approach helps maintain the integrity and security of the wireless environment.
Modular Management
Sophos Wireless is managed through Sophos Central, a cloud-based platform that provides a single pane of glass for controlling all Sophos solutions. This modular management system simplifies the deployment and maintenance of wireless networks, making it easier to manage multiple access points and networks from a centralized location.
Advanced Wireless Network Management
- Multiple SSIDs: Support for multiple SSIDs per radio, allowing for the creation of separate networks for different user groups or purposes.
- Time-Based SSIDs: Ability to configure SSIDs based on time of day or day of the week, enhancing flexibility in network access.
- Client Load Balancing: Automatic distribution of clients across multiple access points to optimize network performance.
- Auto Channel Selection and Channel Width Selection: Automated selection of the best channels and channel widths to minimize interference and optimize throughput.
- Band Steering and Airtime Fairness: Features to steer clients to the most appropriate band and ensure fair airtime allocation among clients.
Security and Encryption
Sophos Wireless supports the latest security and encryption standards, including WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) with AES (Advanced Encryption Standard). It also includes features like rogue access point scanning and secure authentication mechanisms such as RADIUS server integration.
Network Segregation and Isolation
The ability to create separate zone wireless networks allows for the segregation of wireless networks from the LAN, ensuring that guest networks or other wireless networks do not interfere with the main network. This is achieved through zone-based firewall policies and VLAN support.
Captive Portal and Guest Network Management
Sophos Wireless includes a captive portal with customizable splash pages, social login options, and voucher-based access. It also supports guest networks in both bridge and NAT modes, providing flexible options for managing guest access.
Integration with Sophos Firewall
For users who prefer to manage their wireless networks through their firewall, Sophos Wireless can be integrated with Sophos Firewall. This allows for the configuration and management of wireless networks, access points, and clients directly from the firewall interface.
Conclusion
Sophos Wireless offers a robust and secure wireless network solution that combines advanced security features, easy management, and seamless integration with other Sophos products. Its ability to automate threat discovery, manage client health, and provide flexible network configuration options makes it an ideal choice for organizations seeking to enhance their wireless network security and performance.