AirWave Announces WLAN / Wi-Fi Security Management Software



AirWave Establishes Management Software as Critical Component of WLAN / Wi-Fi Security; New AMP 3.1 Delivers Enhanced Rogue AP Detection Through Improved Wireline Discovery & Integration With Cisco WLSE



SAN MATEO, CA -/9 Dec, 2004 - Wi-Fi Technology News/- AirWave Wireless Inc., a leading wireless network management software developer, today announced the release of its new AirWave Management Platform(TM) (AMP) version 3.1 software. The new software ensures enhanced network security by detecting unauthorized 'rogue' APs through a combination of wireless scanning and automated discovery across the wired network.

"In a large enterprise with many physical locations, you can't assume that all unauthorized rogues are going to be placed conveniently within range of existing APs or sensors. It is therefore crucial for an enterprise to use both wired and wireless approaches for rogue detection," said AirWave CEO, Gary Hegna. "AMP 3.1 solves this problem by providing IT staff with an integrated solution that combines wireless and wireline detection techniques. Because of AMP's multi-vendor hardware support, it's even possible for the IT staff to take control of these rogue APs and reconfigure them to eliminate any threat to the network from outside intruders."

With AMP 3.1, existing access points from leading vendors and Wi-Fi enabled Windows computers (with the optional AirWave Management Client utility) identify other APs within range via wireless scans. By integrating with Cisco's WLSE, AMP 3.1 is now able to use Cisco Aironet access points to wirelessly scan for other APs. Once it completes the wireless scans, AMP analyzes the data to identify unauthorized APs and then automatically alert IT to their presence.
AMP 3.1 also provides an API for integration with third-party wireless intrusion detection solutions that leverage additional, proprietary hardware RF sensors.

In addition to these wireless scans, AMP version 3.1 also uses a unique set of automated rogue discovery techniques from the wired side of the network. AMP 3.1 offers significantly enhanced wireline detection capabilities, enabling it to automatically locate SOHO devices from D-Link, Linksys, and other vendors -- even when they are not within range of any APs or RF sensors. For organizations undergoing Sarbanes-Oxley audits, version 3.1 introduces reports that identify all devices connected to the network and rates the devices according to the likelihood that they are rogues.

When unauthorized rogue devices are configurable via AMP's multi-vendor AP management console, network administrators can take full control and disable these devices remotely. If the device cannot be managed remotely, AMP's wireline detection techniques help administrators identify and then disable the port to which the rogue is connected.

Additional AirWave Management Platform v3.1 Enhancements Include:

-- Enhanced Channel Overlap Report: Includes information from both wireless and wired network scans to automatically alert network administrators when neighboring access points are set to the same channel.

-- Dual Radio Support: Enables network administrators to configure both radios on leading access points with two radios (i.e., 802.11a/g).

-- Additional Wi-Fi Hardware Support: Provides support for new hardware and firmware from ProCurve Networking by HP, Symbol, Cisco, Nomadix, and more.

-- XML API for Integration with Wireless Site Planning Tools: Enables the automatic import and implementation of RF designs.


AMP 3.1 is now available direct from AirWave or from authorized resellers. For more information please visit http://www.airwave.com.

About AirWave

AirWave Wireless, Inc. is the leading developer of network management software solutions that provide administrators a single point of intelligent control to monitor, analyze, and configure their wireless network infrastructure. The privately held company is headquartered in San Mateo, California, and is backed by investors Ignition Partners, Idealab, and Westbury Equity Partners. The company's patent-pending AirWave Management Platform(TM) software is sold through a global network of value-added resellers and systems integrators. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.airwave.com.