ADTRAN Cloud APs Focus on Manageability

ADTRAN is rolling out a new set of Bluesocket access points, the Bluesocket 1900 series, purpose-built to streamline scalability, manageability and compatibility in large wireless network environments like educational institutions and the SME space. ADTRAN is also appealing to service providers with these units, since Bluesocket virtual wireless LAN (vWLAN) technology allows for network management and configuration across the public cloud.

The Bluesocket 1900 series are ready to be dropped into existing wireless deployments and can complement the Bluesocket 1800 series in any system. The 1900 series features also features built-in firewall capabilities that shape network traffic at the edge, optimizing and prioritizing key application traffic when necessary.

ADTRAN is targeting these access points for solution providers, since network management is abstracted through a layer of virtuialization. This allows a single virtual machine to centralize the control of all access points on a network, giving IT admins and service providers greater flexibility on access management and granular control in configuring massive wireless fabrics. In the case of a cloud service provider, vWLAN can be used via the cloud, and managed service providers can leverage multi-tenant WLAN environments to support multiple customers from one location and build a revenue stream via AP management services.

Partners picking up the 1900 series will find it flexible for more than the office environment and academia — ADTRAN attests the Bluesocket core is high density, robust and “ruggedized,” handling massive traffic situations that include convention centers and sport stadiums. Increasing capacity and network capabilities is as simple as dropping in another access point — it can auto-configure itself via the vWLAN controller, which in turn, can act as a centralized configuration point for “any access point in the world.” ADTRAN boasts this gives their service providers expanded range in targeting the delivery of wireless capabilities.

ADTRAN is also aiming these units at major mobile solution providers that need mobile data offloading. These units are capable of offloading mobility traffic to WiFi networks and improve back-end overhead. But the most obvious placement for these unitis is for campus wide BYOD policies that need a blend of security and manageability that is not limited by traditional on-campus infrastructure

In August, ADTRAN linked managed service providers to their customers with Bluesocket technology that bridged NOC mangaement with customer network mangagement. These access points are a continuation of that effort. No prices for the 1900 series have been announced, but the solution is billed as cost effective and will feature a range of price points. ADTRAN partners can check in here.

Big picture? At at time when many vendors are talking up converged networking, services and software solutions, ADTRAN is staying the course focusing on wireless infrastructure. The on-ramp to the cloud and mobility starts with a wireless access point, so ensuring the AP is just as robust as the switch at the edge is important to building enterprise-ready wireless networks. More importantly, wireless infrastructure is a simple way that MSPs can expand their own revenue capabilities with hardly any investment into additional software or infrastructure.

Expect value-added networking solutions to become more commonplace, especially as big name vendors take to the cloud.