How to deploy a Cisco Unified Wireless Network

A recent review of Cisco's Unified Wireless Network illustrates the strong integration the vendor is making between its traditional wired network and appliance, controllers and the access points that tie the network together. Cisco is clearly working hard on the integration element, and the management tools are getting incredibly high marks.

The very first step in building out a new Cisco controller-based network, or expanding an existing one, is plugging in the Wireless Control System, a device that lays under the Windows operating system or Linux platform and gives IT leaders capabilities from management and reporting to WLAN planning. The tools then let you determine how many APs you need to deploy and provide strong management capabilities. Then it's time to determine security and monitoring requirements and whether your enterprise needs to use the location tracking function, which the vendor believes will be an increasing enterprise need in some industries. Learn how the system performed on an in-depth performance check and what you need to do to make the network purr smoothly. Article