Comparing costs of wireless LAN options

Computerworld - It can be hard to predict costs when planning a large-scale wireless LAN (WLAN). What impact does the new technology have on existing products, policies and procedures? Is there a significant learning curve to implement the new solution? How difficult is the new network to manage? How long will it last?

As with any networking technology, deploying a new WLAN incurs both capital and operational expenses. The features and functionalities of a WLAN solution determine the extent of these costs, which can vary dramatically. However, new WLAN architectures are emerging that reduce capital expenditures and ease operational burdens, helping enterprises to reap the value of wireless with minimal impact on the bottom line.

A Capital Idea

A move to wireless technology requires an investment in new hardware and software. This is unavoidable. To illustrate a specific capital cost comparison between common WLAN architectures, we will use the fictitious enterprise, Untethered Corp.

Architecture 101: The market currently offers two approaches to deploying WLANs. The traditional WLAN architecture was designed to function as a stand-alone network or to provide isolated wireless access to a network. As such, the traditional WLAN is based on a single device known as a "fat" access point (AP), which contains all the mandatory wireless processing capabilities.

Comparatively, the hierarchical WLAN architecture was designed with flexibility in mind in order to be used for a variety of applications, including mass network coverage. The hierarchical architecture uses a two-tiered hardware approach based on a "lightweight" AP connected directly to a wireless switch or indirectly to a wireless appliance. The lightweight AP delivers radio frequency (RF) functions, while the wireless switch or appliance controls the intelligent wireless processes.

The complete package: Any wireless LAN solution can provide basic RF connectivity. A complete solution, designed for business usage, will go beyond this to support key applications, provide extra security, and make day-to-day management more cost effective. As a result, an enterprise-grade WLAN solution, such as the one required by Untethered Corp., should also provide automated RF management, AP management, seamless mobility, wireless intrusion protection, virtual private network (VPN) concentration and wireless security.

Traditional WLAN architectures provide only a subset of this functionality. To create a complete WLAN solution, enterprises using these products are forced to deploy a variety of different appliances to address these deficiencies, such as a mobility manager, VPN concentrator, intrusion detection systems system, etc. For a company like Untethered, these appliances can easily add over $200,000 in extra equipment costs.^[1]