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March 13, 2007

Meru Unveils WLAN Security Software

By Anuradha Shukla
TMCnet Contributing Editor

Meru Networks (News - Alert) has released the AirShield Security Suite 2.0, wireless local-area network (WLAN) security software that simultaneously prevents RF threats while assuring application availability and continuous quality-of-service (QoS

) in converged voice and data networks.

Recognizing mission-critical traffic on the network, the Meru Networks AirShield 2.0 Security Suite allows the QoS requirements of the application to be met while continuing to scan the RF for rogue devices.

Companies can use AirShield 2.0 to provide WLAN

security and performance without compromise--even with demanding applications such as voice or broadband video.

Features of the program include:-

--Per-application, per-user, policy enforcement firewall

and traffic separation functionality. This feature gives administrators complete control over network access.

--Policy-based bandwidth policing and rate-limiting. Performance of critical applications on the network can be optimized with this feature.

--Packet-signature based firewall than can classify, isolate and block encrypted and proprietary applications

--Generic routing-encapsulation (GRE) tunneling. Administrators can use this feature to protect the network and isolate traffic based on user type and location of access.

Other features include Wi-Fi

Certified WPA2, Captive Portal and Guest access, dynamic VLANs, rogue AP detection and mitigation.

Network administrators can use the new per-user, per-application firewall to centrally and precisely enforce a set of security and QoS policies for each wireless user and device. Since access to applications can be defined and controlled by location and time of day, the administrator has complete control over the types of traffic carried over the wireless network.

Additionally, the bandwidth can also be policed based on application and user. This feature allows administrators to rate-limit some applications, such as FTP traffic, while giving full bandwidth to more mission-critical applications like voice.

Thanks to the AirShield 2.0 enhancements, the Meru WLAN System can now classify, isolate and block encrypted and proprietary traffic. This enables administrators to assign and enforce firewall policies for such traffic. Using signature-based packet inspection the system can provide accurate detection of traffic.

Enterprises can use the new GRE tunneling capability to enjoy additional flexibility and protection. This capability allows the enterprises to separate network traffic--internal versus external or branch office versus headquarters, for example--and assigns different security levels to each.

Meru has also announced partnerships with leading network-access control solution vendors including Microsoft, Juniper Networks (News - Alert), Vernier Networks and Lockdown Networks. The partnerships are part of the company’s overall commitment to open systems and helping its customers make the most of their existing technology investments and vendor relationships.

Want to learn more about wireless networks? Then be sure to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users.

Anuradha Shukla is a contributing editor for TMCnet, covering call centers, CRM and information technology. To see more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.