Summit WM Series WLAN Switches

Summit WM series switches deliver a high-performance wireless LAN solution that is easy to use and is secure. In today's Enterprise environments, dedicated resources are rarely available to build and operate the wireless network. By focusing on ease of installation and management, the Summit wireless mobility solution from Extreme Networks' helps IT organizations simplify the task of mobilizing their users without sacrificing security or performance.

Summit WM series switches are ready to support the most advanced wireless applications. With the capability to support high-speed, cross-subnet roaming and sophisticated multicast support, Summit WM series switches can meet nearly any mobile voice or multimedia networking challenge. With capacities of up to 200 access points (APs) per switch, Summit WM series switches can scale to support the largest WLAN installations while providing centralized management for remote branch office installations. Available in a 4X Fast Ethernet or 2X Gigabit Ethernet version, both with redundant power supplies, Summit WM series switches are an ideal solution for your mobile data and voice challenges.

Target Applications

• Wireless connectivity for multiple user types and devices.
• WLAN to support high-performance applications such as voice over Wi-Fi.
• Distributed wireless connectivity with plug and play installation and centralized support.
• Applications requiring high availability and RF management.
• Sites requiring both connectivity and wireless intrusion detection.

Ease of Installation and Operation

• Wireless mobility access domains for multiple access types
• AutoCell® dynamic Radio Frequency (RF) management
• Plug and Play AP installation

Voice-Grade Performance

• High-speed, cross-subnet roaming
• End-to-end Quality of Service (QoS)
• High availability to meet voice service expectation

Comprehensive Security

• Directory-integrated link security simplifies user access management
• Rich set of authentication options and access control options for every application and device
• Wireless intrusion detection
  

Ease of Installation and Operation
Wireless LAN systems have been difficult to install, configure and operate. The Summit WM series provides a fresh approach to managing the complexity of configuring and operating wireless networks through a number of unique capabilities.

Summit Wireless Mobility Access Domains
Summit Wireless Mobility Access Domains (WM-AD) help administrators easily define profiles for different categories of users, groups, devices or applications. Compared to the other approaches that require the configuration of a multitude of security and performance parameters, WM-ADs are a simple and powerful approach to the changing access challenges of the dynamic Enterprise. For example, one Access Domain may be developed for guest access, another for Voice over Wireless LAN (VoWLAN) handsets, and a third for secure employee access.

After the administrator has defined Access Domains for the different types of users, each Access Domain is assigned to one or more Altitude 350-2 APs. The appropriate APs begin broadcasting service availability. For example, an Access Domain for guest access might be advertised by the APs in the lobby only, while a second Access Domain for VoWLAN phones could be supported by APs covering the factory floor.

From the user's perspective, each Access Domain will appear to be a standalone virtual AP, available only at the locations selected by the administrator. When a user or device associates with one of these virtual APs, the connection will be governed by the associated Access Domain parameters for authentication, privacy, QoS, and access to network resources.

AutoCell Dynamic RF Management
Summit WM series switches simplify setup and operation through their extensive dynamic RF management capabilities. Dynamic RF management is enabled via AutoCell technology (optional on the Summit WM100). AutoCell automatically optimizes RF coverage in an area, selecting channels and adjusting power levels to provide trouble-free client connectivity while maximizing coverage.

Keeping up with changes that affect coverage can be a challenge. With AutoCell, calibration and adjustment automatically occur 24 hours a day, eliminating the need to manually set or tune power levels as conditions change. Should an AP fail, AutoCell provides fault tolerance by detecting the failure and compensating by increasing output power of the neighboring APs.

AutoCell uses a distributed algorithm that does not require a connection to a centralized resource. As a result, branch office support is simplified and the solution is highly scalable. AutoCell is very stable and does not “flap” during operation—meaning the WLAN remains available and reliable even when RF conditions are changing.

Plug and Play AP Installation and Intuitive Management
Out-of-the-box AP installation is a breeze. Using AccessAdapt™ technology, the Altitude 350-2 APs automatically discover the Summit WM switch and download configuration and operating parameters—without any pre-configuration of the AP. After receiving configuration information and being provisioned with the appropriate WM-ADs, APs begin broadcasting multiple Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs) to clients in the area. Technicians can quickly add new APs to an existing system without specialized WLAN knowledge.

The Summit wireless mobility solution is very easy to add to existing IP networks and wireless clients. Enterprises can enjoy outstanding performance, high security, and seamless roaming without needing to install and manage client drivers. Since APs and switches communicate using IP, designers do not need to configure network-wide VLANs when installing the wireless network.

The theme of simplicity continues with the intuitive Summit wireless mobility graphical management interface. It offers centralized configuration and management of users, devices, and applications and can be accessed via a web browser over the network or directly through a management port on the system. The interface provides remote performance and session monitoring, statistics, status monitoring, and reporting. The system supports SSL, SNMP v2, FTP, RADIUS accounting, statistics, syslog, and Secure Shell (SSH) interface.

The Summit fixed and Stackable-configuration switches deliver high-performance multilayer Ethernet switching to wiring-closets, aggregation points and the network edge in an affordable compact form factor. Ideally suited for networks where space and costs are a concern, Summit switches are capable of delivering the advanced routing, security and quality of service features normally found in chassis-based switches. Summit switches can be used in various networking scenarios by simply choosing the model that fits your needs.