Meru Brings Virtualized Mobility Solutions to the Enterprise Cloud

SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Meru Networks, Inc., (NASDAQ:MERU), a pioneer in 802.11n wireless enterprise networking, today announced a set of new Meru WLAN solutions that can be deployed on-premise, within virtualized private cloud environments, or as subscription-based, hosted applications. Meru's new line of Virtual Mobility Controllers are VMware-based virtual appliances that operate on standard x86 computing platforms in datacenter or private cloud environments.  Meru's E(z)RF services  and the Meru Identity Manager guest access products are also now available as virtual, hosted solutions.  The new solutions improve efficiency and datacenter utilization while giving IT unprecedented choice and control with deployment options that meet their individual needs and give them flexibility as they deal with the flood of devices in the enterprise.

"As BYOD stresses the limits of network capacity and WLAN management, enterprises must explore new ways to serve the thousands of devices and applications that enter the environment, while achieving operational efficiency," said Ihab Abu-Hakima, CEO of Meru. "Our new virtual, cloud-based solutions give enterprises greater choice and control over how wireless networks are deployed and managed.  The result is a highly dynamic wireless environment, tuned for mobility and able to meet the demands of users while realizing the benefits of cloud computing and datacenter virtualization."

Virtualized Meru System Director WLAN Operating System and Controllers

The heart of the Meru mobility solution is the dynamic System Director software. Proven in thousands of enterprises around the globe, Meru System Director is now available as a virtual appliance and designed to operate on standard x86 computing platforms. Meru System Director can be deployed on-premise within existing datacenters or in private cloud environments. Meru's unique, single-cell, 802.11x standard architecture the delivers all the robust functionality needed to manage thousands of high-demand Wi-Fi devices—yet it is the industry's simplest to implement, manage and administer.  The architecture enables simple deployment and configuration of all access points across the enterprise as well as network performance tuning and measurement using Meru's E(z)RF management suite. The new cloud-enabled version of System Director further simplifies deployment and operation of the WLAN by enabling IT to leverage the power, familiarity and flexibility of the private cloud and virtual machine infrastructure that is already in place in their enterprise datacenter.

"IT and Network Managers are increasingly looking at different architectural options for their enterprise wireless deployments," said Rohit Mehra, director of enterprise communications infrastructure at IDC. "Solutions such as the ones now being offered by Meru provide deployment flexibility and optimal management and control. The ability to have virtual controllers, traditional appliance-based controllers or a mix gives IT the ability to adopt new technology that suits the type and topology of the enterprise, without compromising existing investments in network infrastructure."

For private cloud and datacenter deployments, enterprises have the additional option of selecting virtual editions of Meru WLAN controllers, purpose built appliances for optimal scale and performance. Virtual editions of Meru's popular MC1500, MC3200, MC4200 Mobility Controllers support the same number of access points and prove the same level of throughput as their dedicated hardware equivalents. 

Virtualized and Cloud-hosted Application Services

Meru management tools, Identity Manager and the E(z)RF Mobility Manager, are now available as subscription-based, hosted applications. Meru Identity Manager automatically and securely provisions devices, with little or no IT support. The Meru E(z)RF Mobility Manager suite is an intelligent and comprehensive management system that  provides centralized management through RF visualization, wireless performance dashboards and fault management for enterprise wireless LANs.

These applications are also available as VMware virtual appliances and can operate on-premise in existing datacenter infrastructure, or off-premise, leveraging cloud infrastructure from standard vendors. The new products and deployment options give IT departments the ability to effectively manage and control WLAN infrastructure as the number of devices, applications and users increase.  

"Enterprises of all kinds are searching for cost effective ways to provision, manage and serve the flood of devices and bandwidth hungry applications entering the environment on a daily basis," said Craig Badrick, CEO of TTI-Wireless, a leading Meru channel partner.  "As a wireless systems integrator, we see hundreds of customers who are looking for ways to cost-effectively deal with BYOD while maintaining control of their environment and taking advantage of a variety of deployment options.  Meru continues to lead the pack as it delivers products that enable the distributed mobile enterprise and provides options for deployment and utilization of existing datacenter infrastructure. These new products will give our customers the ability to meet the demand of BYOD and do so in the way that best suits their environment and their budget."

To learn more about Meru mobility solutions, visit the Meru website or download the new Meru WLAN Cloud Solutions Whitepaper.

About Meru Networks

Meru Networks (NASDAQ: MERU) sells virtualized wireless LAN solutions that provide enterprises with the performance, reliability, predictability and operational simplicity of a wired network with the advantages of mobility. Meru's innovative network-in-control architecture virtualizes wireless access and produces an intelligent, self-monitoring WLAN. Moving to Meru lets enterprises migrate business-critical applications from wired networks to an all-wireless network able to handle the diversity and density of mobile communication devices. Meru's unique "network-in-control" wireless architecture is used by all major vertical industries including Fortune 500 businesses, health care, education, retail, manufacturing, hospitality, and government. Founded in 2002, Meru is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., and operates worldwide. Visit www.merunetworks.com or call (408) 215-5300 for more information.

SOURCE Meru Networks, Inc.