GigaNews gives IT pros cutting edge insight into the rapidly changing products and practices needed to succeed in the dynamic wireless LAN marketplace.

June 2005

In This Issue:
>> Updated Aironet WLAN Fundamentals and Site Survey V5.0
>> New Aironet Wireless LAN Advanced Topics V1.0
>> New Cisco Airespace Install, Admin and Maintenance v2.0
>> Tech Tip: Interference on the 2.4 GHz band – Look at a 5 GHz Solution
>> Live AirMagnet Webinar >> HIPPA, GLBA, SOX and WLANs >> How to Speed Up & Simplify Compliance
>> New Cisco Wi-Fi NEMA Enclosures

>> Training Corner

Aironet WLAN Fundamentals and Site Survey (AWFSS 5.0) >> Completely updated Cisco authorized curriculum incorporates the latest Cisco Wi-Fi advances such as the Cisco Aironet 1130AG and 1200AG series access points, as well as the new Cisco Aironet Assisted Site Survey Tool. The curriculum is designed to give students an in-depth knowledge of the Cisco Aironet wireless LAN product set including WLAN networking overview, WLAN applications in specific markets, WLAN topologies and design concerns, essential equipment, client adapter installation/configuration, AP configuration and the Cisco Integrated Wireless Network* architecture and more...

For Course Description and Course Details, click here
To View AWFSS Training Schedule, click here

New Aironet Wireless LAN Advanced Topics (AWLAT 1.0) >> Advanced Cisco authorized curriculum on WLAN design and security >> Designed to give students a firm understanding of advanced Cisco WLAN design and solutions including Cisco Integrated Wireless Network design and configuration as well as integrating access points into wired infrastructures' including the Cisco Secure ACS, WLSE and the Series 6500 switch with the WLSM module.
*(Cisco SWAN has been rebranded Cisco Integrated Wireless Network)

For Course Description and Course Details, click here
To View AWLAT Training Schedule, click here

New Cisco Airespace Installation, Administration & Maintenance (CAIAM 2.0) >> Plan, deploy and manage enterprise WLANs using the recently acquired Cisco Airespace solution. This course focuses on covering the components, features and proper deployment of the Airespace system (now branded the Cisco Wireless Control System, as a result of the recent acquisition of the Airespace product portfolio.) All is reinforced with 11 hands-on configuration labs on such topics as CLI and Switch Web configurations, open & web authentication and configuration and end-to-end 802.1X PEAP-EAP-MSCHAPv2 configurations including client, switch and AAA server.

For Course Description and Course Details, click here
To View CAIAM Training Schedule, click here

>> Tech Tip

Interference on the 2.4 GHz band - Look at a 5GHz Solution >> The most common North American frequency band is the 2.4 GHz band with 11 channels. Only three of the channels are non-overlapping (1,6 and 11). Interference from other competing systems in the same area are becoming a problem due to limited channels in the 2.4 GHz band. If you plan to upgrade or install Wi-Fi, you should consider using the 5 GHz band. The 5 GHz band currently has 12 non-overlapping channels and more channels may become available in the future.

5 GHz Wi-Fi uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), which not only achieves data rates up to 54 Mbps on Cisco Aironet products but, is also immune to multi-path issues due to reflective services in buildings. The new IEEE 802.11a radios released by Cisco Aironet (AIR-RM21A and AIR-RM22A) have much greater range and better receive sensitivity than the older Cisco Aironet 5 GHz equipment. One AP 1200 using one of the new radios can cover up to 500 feet in all directions (Open Office Environment AIR-RM21A). The AIR-RM22A radio is non-captive and has several external antenna options. The new IEEE 802.11a radios also support the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). If you plan to install wireless, take a signal measurement to insure your environment is not already overrun with neighboring 2.4 GHz systems. If it is 5 GHz, Wi-Fi is the best alternative.

LIVE AirMagnet Webinar, July 13th >> The clock is ticking for organizations to get up to speed on compliance with the directives HIPPA, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and Sarbanes-Oxley. If an organization is a health provider, financial institution, or a public company, they must comply or face costly fines or even jail time. The directives are a major burden on IT teams - learn how to make life easier. If you support these organizations or if you are one, join us for a 40-minute educational webinar on how these directives apply to wireless LANs and what tools are available to help organizations comply.

For More Details and To Register, click here

>>Product of the Month

New Cisco Wi-Fi NEMA Enclosures >> Cisco Systems and TerraWave Solutions have entered into a technology relationship whereby Terrawave will offer NEMA enclosures which include Cisco wireless technology.

TerraWave Solutions’ NEMA enclosures are designed to protect Cisco’s wireless products from environmental threats such as heat, cold, dust and rain as well as theft and tampering. Providing an aesthetically pleasing and more reliable wireless solution, for both indoor and outdoor applications, the enclosures also provide protection in Plenum areas as well as provide protection in Intrinsically Safe applications. TerraWave’s Wi-Fi NEMA enclosures are used in vertical markets where the protection and enhancement of a Cisco 802.11 deployment is crucial including, education, government, military, healthcare, hospitality, transportation, retail, commercial, manufacturing, distribution and office buildings.

To View Full Press Release, click here