NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: JOANIE WEXLER ON WIRELESS IN THE ENTERPRISE 12/01/04 Today's focus: Who should protect the LAN perimeter?
Dear [EMAIL PROTECTED], In this issue: * Aruba extends its 'grid' architecture * Links related to Wireless in the Enterprise * Featured reader resource _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Trapeze Networks THE DEFINITIVE WLAN RFP If you're serious about WLANs but aren't sure where to begin, start with this definitive new WLAN request-for-proposal from Trapeze Networks. It'll help you figure out what you need and what to ask for. Register to download it at http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=80945 _______________________________________________________________ COMPREHENSIVE CONVERGENCE RESOURCE Go to NW Fusion's Research Center for detailed information on convergence. Find the latest breaking news, case studies, white papers, commentary, reviews and more. Topics on how IP telephony can save hard dollars, how to develop a VOIP security plan, the impact of residential VOIP and more are all found in the Research Center. Click here: http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=89317 _______________________________________________________________ Today's focus: Aruba extends its 'grid' architecture By Joanie Wexler It's always been a challenge in the networking industry to figure out where one discipline leaves off and another begins. Even in the wireless LAN biz, it's becoming apparent that the lines of demarcation aren't distinctly drawn. For example, it's not entirely clear who should be delivering certain security capabilities to enterprises. Many players, from carriers to traditional firewall companies and software vendors and now wireless vendors are getting into the act. Aruba Wireless last week said it would address traditional enterprise-wide security, including endpoint security, with an extension to its "grid" architecture, which allows access points to be plugged into existing Ethernet ports and leverage the current cabling infrastructure. The framework places an Aruba 6000 security controller and a policy engine in the data center and $100-$200 Aruba 2E grid points throughout the organization. The idea is to protect the corporate network from infections mobile devices might pick up from the Internet when they are remote. When those mobile devices re-associate to the corporate network - either via a WLAN or by plugging into a wired Ethernet port - they usually circumvent the firewalls and intrusion protection systems in the corporate data center guarding the Internet perimeter. The grid points, says Aruba, are intended to avoid the need to replicate very expensive security systems in all the wiring closets throughout the enterprise. Rather, the inexpensive grid points collect and tunnel wired user traffic to the controllers in the data center for policy enforcement. The WLAN switch start-up has partnered with security heavyweights Fortinet and Sygate to protect the LAN perimeter from viruses and worms via a special interface. A Fortinet firewall can run next to the grid controller to filter for malware; a Sygate agent can be placed on user laptops and gain software updates and remediation via the policy engine upon reconnection, says Jon Green, director of technical marketing at Aruba. Security isn't the only place where traditional lines are blurring. As cost-conscious branch-office considerations heat up, the trend to collapse wireless, wired and WAN functions into all-in-one devices are turning WLAN and WAN access router vendors into competitors. More on this next time. RELATED EDITORIAL LINKS iPolicy blocks worms, viruses across 802.11 nets Network World Wireless in the Enterprise Newsletter, 09/06/04 http://www.nwfusion.com/nlwir687 Access points drop out of the ceiling Network World Wireless in the Enterprise Newsletter, 08/30/04 http://www.nwfusion.com/nlwir740 Wi-Fi plays defense http://www.nwfusion.com/nlwir559 Leeway found in Wal-Mart's RFID mandate Network World, 11/29/04 http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/112904walmart.html Start-up uses software for WLAN IPS Network World, 11/29/04 http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/112904airtight.html _______________________________________________________________ To contact: Joanie Wexler Joanie Wexler is an independent networking technology writer/editor in California's Silicon Valley who has spent most of her career analyzing trends and news in the computer networking industry. She welcomes your comments on the articles published in this newsletter, as well as your ideas for future article topics. Reach her at <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Trapeze Networks THE DEFINITIVE WLAN RFP If you're serious about WLANs but aren't sure where to begin, start with this definitive new WLAN request-for-proposal from Trapeze Networks. It'll help you figure out what you need and what to ask for. Register to download it at http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=80944 _______________________________________________________________ ARCHIVE LINKS Archive of the Wireless newsletter: http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/wireless/index.html Wireless research center Latest wireless news, analysis and resource links http://www.nwfusion.com/topics/wireless.html _______________________________________________________________ FEATURED READER RESOURCE DOWNLOAD INDUSTRY WHITE PAPERS NOW NW Fusion's White Paper Library is your source for the latest industry white papers. Recent additions to the library include white papers on securing remote access, VOIP and productivity, domain name system best practices, WLAN security, IT documentation and much more. Click here to download: <http://www.nwfusion.com/vendorview/whitepapers.html> _______________________________________________________________ May We Send You a Free Print Subscription? You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered at your fingertips each day. Now, extend your knowledge by receiving 51 FREE issues to our print publication. 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