Tuesday 8 January 2008

Aruba Technology: The Move to User-Centric Networking

Our increasingly mobile society is forcing many industries to develop ways to make their services accessible whenever and wherever customers require them. In the not too distant past, one could conduct banking transactions only at a bank branch and only during business hours. As mobile customers demanded more convenient access to banking services, banks moved away from an institution-centric model of business to a user-centric model in which banking applications were brought to the customer. The bank branch gave way to the ATM and ultimately to the smart card.
Illustration of Aruba Technology

The Shift from Institution-Centric to User-Centric Products and Services

Increased mobility for the customer, however, resulted in reduced control and security for banks. Unauthorized card duplication, phishing, and ATM substitution all skyrocketed as banking products and services moved closer to the user. The demand for mobility fostered innovations which, in turn, undermined security.

The networking industry is undergoing a similar transformation, and facing the same issues, as the banking industry. Enterprises want to enable users to work wherever and whenever it is most convenient, economical, and expeditious for them to do so - in the office, at home, in hotels, or on the road. The issue is that traditional, port-centric networks use perimeter-based security that was designed and optimized for fixed, non-mobile users. For traditional network suppliers mobility breaks security, and security precludes mobility.

Fortunately, enterprises have a new option that delivers both mobility and security - user-centric networks from Aruba. Aruba's user-centric networks integrate adaptive WLANs, identity-based security, and application continuity services into a cohesive, high-performance system that securely delivers the enterprise network wherever users work or roam. User-centric networks significantly expand the reach of traditional port-centric networks, preserving and extending investments in existing network infrastructure. Additionally, the high performance and robustness of Aruba's solutions provide the first viable alternative to wired networks, making the all-wireless office a reality.

Adaptive WLANs deliver high-performance, follow-me connectivity so users are always within reach of mission-critical information. Identity-based security associates access policies with users, not ports, enabling follow-me security that is enforced regardless of where and how the networked is accessed. Application continuity services enable follow-me applications that continue running even as the user moves between wireless LANs, wired LANs, and cellular networks.


The Components of User-Centric Networks

Aruba's user-centric networks deliver both mobility and security without compromise. The cost, convenience, and security benefits of user-centric networks are fundamentally changing how and where we work.

Aruba Solution

Aruba has integrated all of the elements required to deliver enterprise mobility - security, application, network and radio frequency (RF) management services - into a unified solution. The components of this solution include an award-winning portfolio of wireless LAN, security, diagnostic, network management, and integration products backed by a worldwide support and training organization. Components include:
  • ArubaOS operating system for delivering user-centric enterprise mobility
  • ArubaOS software modules for value-added security and mobility features including mesh networking, wireless intrusion detection, and remote access
  • Aruba Endpoint Compliance System for Network Access Control
  • Aruba Mobility Management System for centralized management
  • Aruba Mobility Controllers for flexible, high-performance support of the ArubaOS operating system and software modules
  • Aruba Access Points and Access Concentrators that provide wireless and wireline access to Aruba Mobility Controllers

Typical Applications

User-centric networks are applicable across a wide range of uses in enterprise, education, finance, government, healthcare, hospitality, and retail applications. To learn more about how Aruba's solutions are being used to enable various applications and industries, please follow the links below.

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