Vendors Propose Alternative Wireless Interop Spec

Chantry Networks and Propagate Networks released their CAPWAP Tunneling Protocol (CTP), which the companies said in a statement is a stronger tool for interoperability between lightweight access points, which are controlled by wireless switches.

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has been contemplating LWAPP to promote interoperability and easy roaming between wireless switches and access points but had not yet approved the standard. Chantry and Propagate said they were proposing CTP to IETF as a better option.

"LWAPP offered a rudimentary solution for early 802.11 networks by providing basic access and interoperability," Bob Myers, Chantry's CTO said in a statement. "However the future needs of the wireless community demand a more flexible approach to WLAN deployment. CTP was designed to enable multiple wireless technologies, flexible network topologies and future changes in wireless functionality."

CAPWAP refers to the Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points working group of the IETF, which has been charged to approve a standard.

Propagate Networks acknowledged that, while it was positioning CTP as a standard, it will work particularly well with its technology, particularly its AutoCell product to create self-organizing wireless networks.

"The combination of CAPWAP tunneling protocol and AutoCell will bring a whole new class of light APs into the enterprise market," Floyd Backes, Propagate's CTO said in a statement.

This story courtesy of TechWeb.