Netgear Integrates AutoCell
Published for the Week Of December 6, 2004
etgear has integrated new features into its ProSafe line of wireless networking products that add load-balancing and security capabilities for small-business users.
Netgear last month began shipping a tri-mode access point and a wireless PC card that include integrated AutoCell software from Propagate Networks.
The new AutoCell capabilities, available in Netgear’s ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG302 and ProSafe 802.11a/b/g Dual Band PC Card WAG511, help improve wireless LAN performance and protect small businesses from security risks.
AutoCell adds RF management capabilities to a Netgear WLAN, giving access points the ability to automatically adjust to their environments, said Kevin Allan, director of product management and marketing for business products at Netgear, Santa Clara, Calif.
“They are aware of each other, what channels they’re operating on, and they will automatically adjust channels or power down so that they’re not stepping on each other,” Allan said.
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AutoCell also adds load balancing to a Netgear WLAN, automatically moving users to alternate access points during congestion, he said.
The new load-balancing functionality should improve WLAN performance for all users by automating what otherwise would be a manual process, said Don McKay, vice president of Alden Associates, a solution provider in Redmond, Wash.
“[Customers] don’t want to have to pick and choose which wireless access point to connect to,” McKay said.
AutoCell-enabled access points and PC cards can also work together to prevent seepage of the WLAN signal by only transmitting out to the farthest user, Allan said.
The WG302 and WAG511 cost $350 and $121, respectively. The new features are available free via download to current customers.