Xirrus XR-520, User Manual

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Wireless Array
20 Introduction

NAC integration
Xirrus Advanced RF Analysis Manager (RAM)
The RF Advanced Analysis Manager (RAM) tests and troubleshoots wireless
networks. The deployment of 802.11ac presents a set of unique challenges based
on technology differences with legacy 802.11a/b/g/n networks, both on the
wireless infrastructure and client side. Xirrus' RAM equips each Wireless Array
with a powerful set of tools and features to optimally tune and verify an 802.11ac
installation, as well as give IT administrators the ability to troubleshoot issues
that may occur within the wireless environment.
802.11ac deployment will continue to evolve over the next several years with
additional performance and optional functions, along with an ongoing stream of
IEEE 802.11 amendments. This changing wireless landscape mandates that
appropriate tools are available to the user to analyze, optimize, and troubleshoot
their changing environments.
The distributed architecture of the Array enables the execution of powerful
wireless and networking analysis at the edge of the network where packets
traverse the wireless-to-wired boundary. The Array includes an embedded
wireless controller with the necessary computing and memory resources to
provide these functions securely at the network's edge.
The key elements of the RAM package include:

RF Analysis – An embedded Spectrum Analyzer leverages the dedicated
threat sensor radio in each Wireless Array to provide a continual view of
utilization, interference, and errors across all available wireless channels.

Packet Analysis – Integrated packet capture provides filterable views of
all traffic traversing on the wired and wireless interfaces of the Array.

Performance Analysis – Embedded traffic generation enables the
throughput of the Array’s wireless or wired interfaces to be analyzed.

Failure Recovery – Radio Assurance provides an automatic self-test and
self healing mechanism that ensures continuous system operation.

Netflow Support

Network Tools: ping, RADIUS ping, traceroute