Enterprise WLANs add 3rd Party Security

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The fastest way to make sure your wireless LAN (WLAN) is protected is to let the network protect itself. That’s why companies like Extreme Networks and Xirrus are partnering with providers of intrusion detection and prevention systems to embed security functions rather than force customers to install an overlay sensor network.

Xirrus, makers of the Wireless LAN Array product that integrates from 4 to 16 Wi-Fi access points in one box for coverage of an entire floor of a large building, will be using software from Network Chemistry. The upgrade — available to all Xirrus customers, new and old — will cost extra to turn on, but once activated, one of the embedded APs in the area becomes the air-monitoring sensor for the network.

Extreme Networks is working with AirTight Networks, naming the latter’s SpectraGuarde Enterprise as a “preferred solution” to complement the Extreme Summit WM wireless LAN switching products; they’ll even resell the products. It will also work with the BlackDiamond and Summit brands, providing protection against rogues and other issues in networks with a no-Wi-Fi allowed policy.

This isn’t a first — AirTight is working with Colubris Networks on putting SpectraGuard in the Colubris InCharge RF Platform. Network Chemistry opened its software up for use by third parties last summer. Last month, Network Chemistry announced that its RFprotect software will automatically detect SonicWALL’s SonicPoint access points. However, SonicPoints don’t integrate the Network Chemistry sensor agent software — they focus more on converged wired/wireless networks needing a wireless security solution.

With the embedding of the Network Chemistry technology in the Xirrus firmware, even companies licensing the Xirrus technology — such as newly announced original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customer ADC Telecommunications— can take advantage of the IDS/IPS. Network Chemistry will continue to resell its products as well as concentrating on licensing and OEMs of its own sensors, which include companies like Bluesocket, Newbury Networks, Wireless Valley and WildPackets. Those companies rebrand sensors as their own, but with Xirrus, the Network Chemistry brand will be front and center for network administrators.

AirTight announced that its latest version of SpectaGuard Enterprise, version 4.3, has earned OPSEC (Open Platform for Security) certification from Check Point Software Technologies, meaning it will integrate its wireless security with systems running the Check Point VPN-1 Pro on the NGX platform for security on the wired perimeter.

This article was first published on WiFiPlanet.com.