Expanding NEAX 2000 IPS with Wireless APs

[Waklogs]

We have a 2000 IPS and are planning on adding wireless APs for voice and data. We have had a site survey done and have been looking at the various options that are on the market. Then we heard that NEC has added a new product called "Univerge Assured Mobility" which uses the Univerge WL5100 controller which can handle from 12-96 APs. The APs are the Univerge WL1500's.
There seem to be a number of advantages but I am not totally sure what to look out for and waste a lot of time. One advantage is the SIP protocol which allows use of phones from a lot of different manufacturers. Another is that you don't have to program the APs (what ever that means - as with others you at least had to program the operating channel and the power)
Can anybody give me any feedback and suggestions on what to look out for?
Thanks.

 

[OzzieGeorge]

perhaps this will help

http://www.necbs.com.au/docs/Wireless_Convergence_Whitepaper.pdf

 

[Waklogs]

Thanks OzzieGeorge, That does help. When we first did our site survey NEC was using Cisco manufactured APs and controllers. But at in the last quarter of 2006 NEC have come out with their own APs and controllers which appear to operate more like the Meru APs in that you don't have to be concerned with channel spacing between the APs (1, 6 & 11). You also reportedly get a much smoother handoff between APs when moving about.

 

[Waklogs]

Thanks OzzieGeorge, That does help. When we first did our site survey NEC was using Cisco manufactured APs and controllers. But at in the last quarter of 2006 NEC have come out with their own APs and controllers which appear to operate more like the Meru APs in that you don't have to be concerned with channel spacing between the APs (1, 6 & 11). You also reportedly get a much smoother handoff between APs when moving about.

 

[OzzieGeorge]

NEC had to come up with a new system as Cisco bought the company that supplied the old version! The old version will only be supported until the license agreement runs out, I think that is later this year!