New Wi-Fi Sensor from Fluke Networks Eases BYOD Challenge and Reduces Installation Costs by Up to Two Thirds

EVERETT, Wash., Sept. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Fluke Networks today announced a new dedicated sensor for Wi-Fi network monitoring that eliminates the need for Ethernet cabling, and reduces the cost by up to two thirds in situations where cable installation is prohibitive from a time, cost or logistics perspective.¹  With its quick and easy installation, three internal radios and Wireless Connect feature, the SmartEdge Sensor Series 4 for AirMagnet Enterprise instantly extends Wi-Fi security and performance monitoring, providing immediate coverage in the face of explosive wireless LAN (WLAN) growth and the Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) phenomena. 

"With WLAN growth approaching $1-billion-per-quarter,² and the dramatic increase in BYOD, the areas organizations need Wi-Fi performance and monitoring coverage is increasing exponentially," said Chia-Chee Kuan, vice president of the Fluke Networks WLAN business unit. "The SmartEdge sensor provides a solution to help secure and monitor the network by eliminating roadblocks caused by Ethernet cabling."

Jason Sokoloski, president of Aercor, a wireless systems integrator, faces these logistical hurdles on a weekly basis and noted, "The need for quick, more cost effective, and less disruptive deployment options for WIPS (wireless intrusion prevention system) technology is particularly important in markets such as healthcare, where complying with Infection Control Risk procedures for cleanliness and TIA-1179 standards is imperative during cable installations. It also impacts other markets such as education, where drilling for cable access is both expensive and damaging to historic building structures. The new SmartEdge sensor allows us to instantly overcome challenges we face at customer sites and easily deploy or extend AirMagnet Enterprise."

For customers where Ethernet cable is already available or not cost prohibitive to install, the new SmartEdge Sensor can leverage its internal radios (two 802.11n 3x3 MIMO 450 Mbps plus one for dedicated spectrum analysis) to enable both 24x7 security monitoring, scanning and rogue detection, combined with client performance verification via AirMagnet Enterprise's Automated Health Check (AHC) feature. AHC proactively tests and verifies WLAN network health from the end-user device all the way to the cloud and identifies issues before they impact the organization.

In addition, the SmartEdge sensor has been completely redesigned with a "fade-into-the background" enclosure, an integrated drop ceiling mount and recessed cable entry.  The sensor also features increased memory capacity and support for 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet. 

Availability
The new SmartEdge Sensor Series 4 for AirMagnet Enterprise is available immediately. For more information, please visit Fluke Networks.

About AirMagnet Enterprise
AirMagnet Enterprise is a centralized wireless intrusion prevention system that proactively protects Wi-Fi networks and users from all types of threats, ensuring maximum network performance and uptime, and arms staff with the tools to solve problems quickly and remotely. The solution provides full-time automated analysis of all Wi-Fi traffic, channels, devices, their connection state, as well as optional spectrum analysis of non-Wi-Fi devices and sources of interference. It includes Dynamic Threat Update (DTU) technology for immediate protection against emerging threats, and an Automated Health Check feature for proactively monitoring WLAN network health from the end-user device all the way to the cloud.

About Fluke Networks
Fluke Networks is the world-leading provider of network test and monitoring solutions to speed the deployment and improve the performance of networks and applications. Leading enterprises and service providers trust Fluke Networks' products and expertise to help solve today's toughest issues and emerging challenges in WLAN security, mobility, unified communications and data centers. Based in Everett, Wash., the company distributes products in more than 50 countries. For more information, visit www.FlukeNetworks.com or call +1 (425) 446-4519.

SOURCE Fluke Networks