Khon Kaen University deploys Aruba's adaptive Wi-Fi networks and AirWave Wireless Management System

Aruba Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARUN), a global leader in distributed enterprise network solutions, today announced that Thailand's Khon Kaen University Faculty of Medicine has deployed its adaptive Wi-Fi networks and AirWave Wireless Management System to support X-Ray image archiving, healthcare and drug dosage record access, and Internet access to 2,000 staff members and 1,200 students. The new system replaces legacy Cisco and 3COM autonomous FAT access points, and was deployed by Aruba authorized partner World Information Technology Company.

“Our new network serves far more users in more locations, and delivers better Wi-Fi service than our legacy system and yet it's much simpler to manage”

"Autonomous FAT access points are isolated islands of networks, capable of basic connectivity but very difficult to manage and lacking the performance and features needed by a modern institution like our medical school," said Dr. Potchavit Aphinives, Associate Professor of Khon Kaen University's Department of Surgery. "We took advantage of a recent network refresh cycle to significantly upgrade our wireless infrastructure to address three primary concerns: reliable, facility-wide wireless connectivity to an increasingly mobile base of users; best-in-class network security and user policy management; and improved operations management of the entire network. Only Aruba offered a solution that satisfied all three requirements at a price within our budget."

Reliable Wi-Fi connectivity requires that the network dynamically adjust to local operating conditions and sources of interference. Aruba's exclusive Adaptive Radio Management (ARM) technology uses infrastructure-based controls to optimize network and client performance in real-time. ARM helps ensure that latency-sensitive voice and video applications have sufficient network resources, including airtime, to operate reliably at all times.

Network security at the university is provided by Aruba's policy-enforcement firewall, which features identity-based security, Quality of Service (QoS) control, and traffic management capabilities. Differentiated access is provided for each class of users based on factors including user identity, device type, location, and time of day. Bandwidth limits can be enforced for guest access to ensure network availability for imaging and voice traffic.

The AirWave suite provides a rich set of features - including extensive diagnostics and reports - that help keep the network running in top form at all times. Notable features include:

• Comprehensive diagnostics, advanced troubleshooting, and reporting including assistance with PCI audits;
• Extensive Help Desk features and interfaces to trouble ticket solutions;
• Streamlined performance of routine management tasks such as updating controller configurations and software versions.

The suite supports multiple generations of wireless technology, made by different vendors and even using different wireless standards, through a single common console interface. This unique feature makes it easier and less expensive to transition to a new network since both legacy and newly installed gear can be managed from a single interface.

"Our new network serves far more users in more locations, and delivers better Wi-Fi service than our legacy system and yet it's much simpler to manage," continued Aphinives. "It is just what the doctors ordered."