D-Link claims security boost with 802.11n products

Networking firm D-Link has launched two 802.11n-enabled products designed to offer smoother manageability and enhanced security for medium to large enterprises.

The DWS-4026 switch controller and the DWL-8600 access point have been introduced to meet demands for higher performance and tighter security on enterprise networks, said the firm.

The DWL-8600AP is D-Link's first wireless 802.11n enabled access point and can be fully integrated with the company's existing switch products on the 802.11g/b standard. 

The DWS-4026, meanwhile, is a next-generation switch controller and offers 802.11n support. It can manage up to 64 wireless access points, and can be stacked up to 10 times. 

Chris Davies, UK general manager at D-Link, claimed that the DWS-4026 provides the ability to manage access points in multiple offices from a central location.

"For firms with a small IT staff, the ability to centrally manage all access points is a big benefit as they can manage security, redundancy and reliability on access points in several remote locations from a single head office," he said.

"Additionally, the ability to scale the product to 64 access points and stack it up to 10 times means that the product will prove popular among larger SMEs and smaller enterprise sized companies looking for a secure wireless product."

The DWS-4026 has also been designed to detect and mitigate against security threats such as rogue access points, and includes advanced features such as a wireless intrusion detection system.

Davies explained that D-Link had introduced the 802.11n products as companies look to invest in the new standard or upgrade existing systems to meet the demands being placed on networks.

"As the price gap between existing 802.11g/b and 802.11n products closes, firms will increasingly look to upgrade legacy systems over time, while others may now consider putting in a new Wi-Fi system since the new standard was passed," he said.

"It's a good time for firms to consider upgrading to 802.11n as products, as this standard can give networks up to 50 percent better performance to meet growing demands from the streaming of rich media content such as video."

The DWS-4026 switch controller has been optimised for the handling of voice data to meet the growing demands for VoIP traffic on networks.