Colubris Unveils USN StrategyColubris Unveils USN Strategy

Colubris outlines fixed-wireless convergence strategy based on its next-generation Unified Services Network (USN) architecture

April 18, 2005

2 Min Read

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Colubris Networks, a pioneer of intelligent, multiservice WLAN systems technology, unveiled today a strategy to unify wireless and wired network infrastructures for enterprises and service providers based on its next-generation Unified Services Network (USN) architecture. Enabling the delivery of multiple services over a single wireless/wired infrastructure, the USN drives distribution of voice, data and video services, reduces operations costs, optimises security and improves scalability.

The Colubris USN strategy will be supported by the release of two new and complementary products to drive enterprise consolidation of wireless and wired networks – the MultiService Controller and the Unified Edge Switch – to be delivered over the next 18 months.

“Gander Mountain is deploying Colubris products at our retail stores and in the new corporate headquarters building,” said Lou Hernandez, network engineer, Infrastructure Group, Gander Mountain. “In the store environment we are using Colubris for voice, desktop applications and inventory control using handhelds. Productivity enhancement for employees and the need for secure vendor access are the reasons we deployed wireless in our corporate offices.”

With WLAN becoming increasingly ubiquitous as a preferred access medium for network resources and with multiservice traffic patterns on the rise, enterprises are demanding new levels of performance for scalability, security, resiliency and operating cost management that cannot be achieved by approaches that segregate an overlay WLAN from the LAN.

Embracing the need for unification of the WLAN with the LAN, the first phase of the Colubris USN is the creation of a distributed WLAN/LAN switching architecture with centralised management and control. This approach lets customers with existing standards-based Ethernet switches upgrade their networks quickly and cost effectively, providing for ready unification of WLAN with the large LAN switching installed base in a manner that is future-proofed for rapid increases in multiservice traffic, including via evolving standards such as 802.11n.

The second phase of the Colubris USN will be the unification of WLAN/LAN traffic and applications onto a single edge switching platform for new switch installs and upgrades. As a result, it will no longer matter where or how data, voice or video services originate because they will be carried over the same unified network. By eliminating unnecessary and expensive WLAN overlay networks and simplifying management, organisations will benefit from richer business-enhancing applications while reducing operating expenses and capital equipment costs.

“Unified LANs may be the last big step in what has been a rapid and continuous evolution of WLANs,” said Craig Mathias, a Principal with the wireless and mobile advisory firm Farpoint Group (Ashland, MA). “And since the full transition to unified architectures will take three to five years, the distributed switched approach defined by Colubris should provide a solution for today and a smooth transition to the future.”

Colubris Networks Inc.

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