Ruckus Wireless expands Wave 2 portfolio

Ruckus Wireless, Inc., now part of Brocade, launched two new wireless access points (APs) and upgraded management software that double Wi-Fi client density and data rates over previous generations, while improving the wireless experience for retail, hospitality, education, enterprise and service provider customers.

The new APs are based on the 802.11ac Wave 2 standard featuring multiple user-multiple input, multiple output (MU-MIMO) technology, which can simultaneously transmit multiple client streams to different devices on the same RF channel. Ruckus was first-to-market with Wave 2 APs in April 2015, and will now have the industry’s broadest Wave 2 portfolio. All Ruckus Wave 2 APs combine MU-MIMO with Ruckus’ patented BeamFlex+ adaptive antenna technology and ChannelFly predictive channel selection to deliver the highest performance Wi-Fi possible, optimizing signals for every client and transmission.

The new products include :

Ruckus ZoneFlex T710 access point – An outdoor version of the industry-first Wave 2 R710 AP delivering multi-gigabit Wi-Fi performance and unprecedented client capacity. The T710 includes four dual-band antennas—utilizing BeamFlex+ adaptive antenna technology—along with interfaces for Ethernet and fiber backhaul, plus built-in GPS for ease of location and inventory management, making it a flexible platform for enterprise and service provider outdoor deployments.

Ruckus ZoneFlex R510 access point – A Wave 2 version of Ruckus’ most popular indoor AP (R500). The R510 is a competitively priced AP for mid-market customers, featuring two dual-band anntennas (also utilizing BeamFlex+ technology) that combine MU-MIMO to service more devices with the highest efficiency. Unlike competing products that require expensive switch upgrades to accommodate higher power requirements, the R510 can work with existing 802.3af-capable Ethernet switches.

Both APs can be managed by Ruckus ZoneDirector and SmartZone controllers. ZoneDirector and SmartZone are software platforms for managing wireless networks, including user access controls, guest networking functions, advanced Wi-Fi security and traffic management. As part of today’s announcement, Ruckus is upgrading SmartZone to version 3.4 with new features for self-optimizing Wi-Fi networks, remote network management, simplified installation of new APs, and Amazon Web Services support. Ruckus is also upgrading ZoneDirector to version 9.13 to enable even better network installation and management. Both platforms also now provide built-in support for Ruckus’ Smart Positioning Technology ( SPoT ) location-based service and Cloudpath certificate-based security management software, user onboarding and policy access management software.

“Wave 2 is quickly becoming the high-performance Wi-Fi standard, especially when combined with patented Ruckus innovations like BeamFlex+ technology,” said Greg Beach, vice president of product management, Ruckus Wireless Business Unit at Brocade. “The early adopters across retail, hospitality and education are seeing tremendous benefits as they rely on Smart Wi-Fi to engage customers, deliver services and run their businesses. With today’s new indoor and outdoor access points, we’re excited to take Wave 2 mainstream for any enterprise or service provider deployment.”

“Ruckus’ new APs expand options for Wave 2 deployment across multiple industries,” said Mike Fratto , research director, Current Analysis . “Fast, reliable wireless is clearly becoming more business critical, and we expect Wave 2 systems will stimulate faster growth for Wi-Fi throughout 2016 and 2017.”

Ruckus ZoneFlex APs are available through Ruckus’ global distribution network. The R510, T710, SmartZone 3.4, and ZoneDirector 9.13 are currently scheduled to be released in July.