First All-802.11ac University Network Supports New Classroom Technologies, Delivers Improved Performance for 802.11n and 802.11ac Devices
Aruba Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARUN) today announced that Fort Hays State
University (FHSU), the fastest growing of the Kansas Board of Regents
universities, has replaced its existing 802.11n wireless infrastructure
with a new Aruba 802.11ac-based network. The new network, which is the
first all-802.11ac infrastructure deployed by an institute of higher
education, is enabling FHSU to accommodate the proliferation of mobile
and wireless devices being used on campus. The network also supports
classroom technologies like streaming video, while delivering enhanced
performance for both 802.11ac and 802.11n devices.
The Aruba 802.11ac infrastructure replaces the University’s existing
802.11n wireless network. The previous network was unable to deliver the
speed and bandwidth necessary to support the growing number of mobile
devices being used at FHSU. It was also unable to provide detailed
information on network activity and the types of devices being used,
which FHSU’s IT department felt was critical to delivering the type of
performance and security the University needed. After a thorough review
of options from numerous other vendors, FHSU selected Aruba. Two key
factors in the decision were Aruba’s ability to deliver the right
bandwidth and speed for the University’s current and future needs and
its ability to ensure that each user on FHSU’s network has the right
access privileges based on who they are and what device they are using.
“Aruba’s 802.11ac solution allows us to support all the laptops, smart
phones and tablets that our students are bringing to class, while also
enabling our faculty to stream HD video or display high definition
content on classroom projectors,” said Derek Johnson, Data
Communications Coordinator for FHSU. “Several of our professors like to
be on the ‘bleeding edge’ of classroom technology. Since rolling out the
new Aruba infrastructure, these instructors have felt confident relying
on the network to incorporate new educational tools into their lesson
plans.”
The new network is comprised of Aruba
AP-220 Series 802.11ac access points (APs)
with Aruba’s patented ClientMatch™
technology, which matches mobile devices to the best possible access
point each time they connect, the 7200
Series Mobility Controller, and the ClearPass
Access Management System, which FHSU is using for device
registration and authentication as well as policy management.
Improved device performance has been an important benefit of the new
Aruba 802.11ac network. Since the deployment, 802.11ac laptops at the
University have been performing at speeds up to 180 Mbps, and 802.11n
devices have nearly doubled their speeds in some cases. Since smartphone
performance has also improved with the new network, FHSU is seeing more
people connecting their phones to the Wi-Fi network, rather than the
cellular network. “While our students used to rely on 4G because it was
faster than our old network, they are now connecting to the Aruba
802.11ac network and are telling us how pleased they are with its speed
and reliability,” said Johnson.
The preference that FHSU students are showing for Wi-Fi over cellular is
consistent with findings from a recent survey conducted by Aruba
Networks on the emergence of #GenMobile,
a new generation defined by their preference for mobility in terms of
the devices they use and their approach to work and school. In the
survey, Aruba found that nearly 58% of respondents prefer Wi-Fi over
other connections such as 4G, 3G or wired.
Looking ahead, FHSU will be expanding the network with additional Aruba
AP-225 access points to address growing device density in academic
buildings and to support the campus’ newest building, which will open in
August 2014. Once the new building is online, FSHU will have over 500
APs deployed. The University is also planning to deploy Aruba’s AirWave
Network Management System and is considering Aruba AirGroup to
manage the growing amount of Apple AirPlay traffic it is experiencing on
the network.
“The new Aruba 802.11ac network with ClearPass has resolved our prior
coverage and capacity issues as well as our need for robust policy and
device management capabilities. It is allowing our faculty to fully
utilize state-of-the-art educational tools and technologies in the
classroom and our students to securely and easily access the network
where and when they need it,” said Johnson. “Based on the results we are
seeing here on campus, I would advise other higher ed institutions to go
with 802.11ac for any network upgrades or rollouts and I would
specifically recommend using Aruba for the outstanding performance,
security, and access management functionality it delivers.”
About Aruba Networks, Inc.
Aruba Networks is a leading provider of next-generation network access
solutions for the mobile enterprise. The company designs and delivers
Mobility-Defined Networks that empower IT departments and #GenMobile, a
new generation of tech-savvy users who rely on their mobile devices for
every aspect of work and personal communication. To create a mobility
experience that #GenMobile and IT can rely upon, Aruba Mobility-Defined
Networks™ automate infrastructure-wide performance optimization and
trigger security actions that used to require manual IT intervention.
The results are dramatically improved productivity and lower operational
costs.
Listed on the NASDAQ and Russell 2000® Index, Aruba is based in
Sunnyvale, California, and has operations throughout the Americas,
Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific regions. To learn more,
visit Aruba at http://www.arubanetworks.com.
For real-time news updates follow Aruba on Twitter
and Facebook,
and for the latest technical discussions on mobility and Aruba products
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© 2014 Aruba Networks, Inc. Aruba Networks’ trademarks include Aruba
Networks®, Aruba The Mobile Edge Company® (stylized), Aruba
Mobility-Defined Networks™, Aruba Mobility Management System®, People
Move Networks Must Follow®, Mobile Edge Architecture®, RFProtect®, Green
Island®, ETips®, ClientMatchTM, Virtual
Intranet AccessTM, ClearPass Access Management
SystemsTM, Aruba InstantTM,
ArubaOSTM, xSecTM,
ServiceEdgeTM, Aruba ClearPass Access
Management SystemTM, AirmeshTM,
AirWaveTM, Aruba CentralTM,
and “ARUBA@WORKTM. All rights reserved. All
other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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Aruba Networks, Inc.
Pavel Radda, +1-408-419-0294
Director of Corporate Communications
pradda@arubanetworks.com
or
LSH Communications for Aruba Networks
Lori Hultin, Principal, +1-818-879-4651
lhultin@arubanetworks.com