Product Overview: Open-Mesh CloudTrax
Introduction
Open-Mesh CloudTrax is a free, cloud-based network management platform designed to simplify the deployment, management, and monitoring of wireless and wired networks. This platform is integral to Open-Mesh’s suite of products, including their MR Series access points and S Series switches, and is particularly suited for businesses, education institutions, hospitality, and retail environments.
Key Features and Functionality
Cloud-Based Management
CloudTrax eliminates the need for a dedicated on-site controller, allowing users to manage their networks from anywhere in the world via a web browser or through free iOS and Android apps. This cloud-based approach ensures high reliability, with the controller hosted in Amazon’s secure EC2 data centers, guaranteeing an uptime of more than 99.9% even in the event of a single data center failure.
Network Configuration and Monitoring
- CloudTrax provides a single point of configuration for managing one access point or thousands, making it scalable for large and complex networks.
- Users can create new networks, configure and monitor access points and switches, and gain detailed insights into network performance in near real-time.
Access Point and Switch Management
- The platform supports Open-Mesh MR Series access points, which are dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) devices that can act as access points, mesh gateways, and repeaters. These access points are designed for high performance, featuring Gigabit Ethernet, standard 802.3af PoE, and mesh networking capabilities.
- CloudTrax also integrates seamlessly with Open-Mesh S Series switches, allowing for the management of both access points and switches through a single interface.
User Management and Security
- CloudTrax offers robust user management features, including the ability to set upload and download limits per user, block individual network abusers, and implement blacklists and whitelists. It also supports Layer 7 packet inspection to automatically limit troublesome applications.
- The platform allows for the creation of public and private networks, each with customizable captive portal features and WPA/WPA2 encryption. Public networks can be configured to redirect users to a specific page, such as a Facebook check-in page.
Automated Reporting and Alerts
- CloudTrax provides automated reporting and alerts, including email notifications if an access point goes down and fails to come back online within a specified time. This ensures that network administrators are always informed about the health of their wireless network.
Mobile App Capabilities
- The CloudTrax mobile app offers a wizard-driven setup process, allowing users to create new networks, view access point and client status, update network settings, and perform other management tasks on the go. The app supports features like scanning MAC addresses to add access points and limited view mode for clients to monitor network status without access to settings.
Additional Features
- CloudTrax includes a voucher system, allowing administrators to generate login tickets for users, which can also be purchased via PayPal.
- The platform supports Facebook Wi-Fi integration, enabling businesses to encourage customers to check in and like their Facebook page in exchange for internet access.
- It offers detailed usage statistics, client device fingerprinting, and Quality of Service (QoS) controls, ensuring optimal network performance and security.
Benefits
- Ease of Use: CloudTrax is designed to be user-friendly, making it accessible even for those with little to no networking experience.
- Cost-Effective: The platform is free, with no recurring subscription fees, and Open-Mesh hardware comes with a lifetime CloudTrax license.
- Scalability: It supports the management of large, complex networks with ease.
- Reliability: Hosted in secure and reliable data centers, ensuring high uptime and automated fault reporting.
In summary, Open-Mesh CloudTrax is a powerful, cloud-based network management solution that simplifies the deployment, management, and monitoring of wireless and wired networks, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of business and organizational needs.