Netgear To OEM Firetide WLAN Tools

Netgear and Firetide have entered into an agreement through which Netgear will OEM Firetide wireless LAN controller software into its ProSafe 16-AP Wireless Management System.

The move means Netgear VARs will be able to sell ProSafe gear with Firetide wireless mesh and management tools already integrated.

Ksenia Coffman, senior marketing manager for Firetide, said that the partnership is key to extending Firetide's reach into new customer segments. It should give Firetide, which specializes in wireless infrastructure mesh to enable video, voice and data for enterprise, industrial, public safety and municipal customers, an inroad to the SMBs in which Netgear is an established player.

"We may not have a very recognized name in the small to medium segment, so this is how we're addressing this market," she explained. "Our product is more robust and reliable than other WLAN controllers. Netgear has its own branded access points and controller switches, but a lot of their customers are growing, and what we can provide is very scalable."

Netgear's ProSafe 16-AP Wireless Management System was one of three sets of new ProSafe wireless products Netgear introduced in January. According to Firetide, the ProSafe 16-AP systems will be available with Firetide integrated starting this month, for $910.

"By using Firetide's controller technology we are able to re-invent wireless networking for growing businesses, delivering the benefits of centralized management and wireless 802.11n throughput with the ease-of-use required for the small business and education markets today while giving them a future-proof platform to build upon," said Laurent Masia, Netgear's product line manager for managed infrastructure products, in a statement.

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