Extreme Networks Altitude 4000 Series, Справочное руководство, Страница: 12 / 521

Chapter 2: Overview
Altitude
TM
4000 Series Access Point System Reference Guide
12
NOTE
This guide describes the installation and use of the software designed specifically for Altitude 4500 series
and Altitude 4700 series independent access points. It does not describe the version of the software designed for
use with the Summit WM3400, Summit WM3600 and Summit WM3700. For information on using software in a
controller managed network, go to
http://www.extremenetworks.com/go/documentation .
About the Extreme Networks Access Point Software
With this latest software release, the network can use access points to adapt to the dynamic
circumstances of their deployment environment. The software architecture provides a customized site-
specific deployment, supporting the best path and routes based on the user, location, application and
the best route available (both wireless and wired). An access point managed network assures end-to-
end quality, reliability and security without latency and performance degradation. An access point
managed network supports rapid application delivery, mixed-media application optimization and
quality assurance.
Deploying a new access point managed network does not require the replacement of existing Extreme
Networks access points. The software enables the simultaneous use of existing architectures from
Extreme Networks, even if those other architectures are centralized models. A wireless network
administrator can retain and optimize legacy infrastructure while evolving to the new software as
needed.
By distributing intelligence and control amongst access points, a network can route data directly using
the best path. As a result, the additional load placed on the wired network from 802.11n support is
significantly reduced, as traffic does not require an unnecessary backhaul.
Within a network, up to 80% of the network traffic can remain on the AP wired mesh without going
back to the centralized controller, so the 802.11n load impact on the wired network is negligible. In
addition, latency and associated costs are reduced while reliability and scalability are increased. A
network enables the creation of dynamic wireless traffic flows, so bottlenecks can be avoided, and the
destination is reached without latency or performance degradation. This behavior delivers a
significantly better quality of experience for the end user.
The same distributed intelligence enables more resilience and survivability, since access points keep
users connected and traffic flowing with full QoS, security and mobility even if a connection is
interrupted due to a wired network or backhaul problem.
When the network is fully operational, sources of interference or unbalanced wireless network loading
can be automatically corrected by the access point’s Smart RF functionality. Smart RF senses interference
or potential client connectivity problems and makes the required changes to the channel and access
point radio power while minimizing the impact to latency sensitive applications like VoIP. Using Smart
RF, the network can continuously adjust power and channel assignments for self-recovery if an access
point radio fails or a coverage hole is detected.
Additionally, integrated access point sensors, in conjunction with AirDefense Network Assurance, alerts
administrators of interference and network coverage problems, which shortens response times and
boosts overall reliability and availability of the access point managed network.
Network traffic optimization protects the network from broadcast storms and minimizes congestion on
the wired network. The access point managed network provides VLAN load balancing, WAN traffic