ROUTER EDGECORE EWS101

The EWS101 is an entry-level wireless LAN controller that provides enterprise-grade functionality for SMBs, retail/chainstores, and distributed sites. With AP management, user authentication, policy assignment, traffic shaping, firewall features all packaged into a single box, the EWS101 allows smaller organizations with minimal IT resources to enable the same level of network security and management capabilities as their large enterprise counterparts. The EWS101 is extremely affordable, easy to deploy, and simple to manage, making it the ideal choice for SMBs needing a comprehensive Wi-Fi solution. The EWS101 is capable of managing up to 50 ECW/ECWO-series Wireless Access Points, which can be deployed and configured easily by anyone, including non-wireless savvy users. For example, automated AP discovery prevents network administrators from having to go through the hassle of individually adding and configuring each access point. Access points as well as connected Wi-Fi devices can then be monitored and managed from a centralized point, with extensive logging & reporting features to assist in troubleshooting and maintenance. As Wi-Fi enabled handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets become ever so prevalent in our daily lives, businesses and network operators alike are faced with a mindboggling dilemma – how to simultaneously address the needs of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), manage Wi-Fi users, and maintain network service quality for mission critical applications. The EWS101 is designed exactly with these requirements in mind, and with a total cost of ownership that satisfies even the most price conscious, organizations are guaranteed to receive an unmatched ROI on their wireless LAN infrastructure.

SECURITY

Security is often one of the most important concerns when it comes to enterprise wireless networks. From the most basic need of preventing network access by unauthorized users to performing rogue AP detection and enforcing network isolation, the Edgecore controllers provide a complex set of features that prevent malicious activities in an organization’s network. For deployment flexibility, the Edgecore controllers support user authentication via both the industry standard 802.1X as well as web-based captive portals. The highly customizable captive portals with integrated walled garden capability can be adapted to suit the needs of hotels, schools, and other public venues. For unregistered users without an account, guest access can be provided by simply entering an e-mail address, logging in with social media accounts, or purchasing a data plan through PayPal. With various account generation methods, the Edgecore controllers are able to identify users and track user activities, ensuring network security in public Wi-Fi. The Edgecore controllers also support remote access via VPN, which is crucial for travelling businessmen. At the same time, site-to-site VPN establishes secure connections between corporate headquarters and branch offices.

MOBILITY

The advent of the era of smartphones and tablets has opened a chasm between how the Internet is used and how organizations provide Internet connectivity. Wireless networks have transformed from a luxury to a necessity, in order to support devices that don’t have legacy wired capability. Furthermore, additional features need to be provided in order to address the rapidly changing usage behavior. The Edgecore Controllers support a variety of mobility features that aim to make enterprise Wi-Fi both easier to use and simpler to manage. For example, by supporting fast roaming, users on mobile devices can be on-thego without worrying about interrupted connections. It is also not uncommon to see a single user with multiple handheld devices – with the Edgecore Controller all of the devices can login to Wi-Fi using the same username and password. Finally, mobile-optimized captive portals and ticket-printed QR code automatic login are both easy methods for a user to get online from their mobile device.

MANAGEMENT

In a wireless LAN, the Edgecore Controller is the central point of management for network administrators, whether it is monitoring current online users or troubleshooting network connectivity issues. The management console of the Edgecore Controller is a browser-based GUI that is simple and intuitive to operate. From this interface, network administrators can configure traffic shaping profiles, track previous network usage, perform system backup and restore, and much more. From the user management perspective, one of the core benefits of the Edgecore Controller is its ability to enforce different traffic profiles based on both the location (Service Zone) of the user and the time of access. For example, the profiles applied during work hours can be different from that of during after-work hours. From bandwidth limitations to specific routing rules, network administrators gain fine-grained control over Wi-Fi users. For access points, Edgecore Controllers support automatic discovery and provisioning, eliminating many repetitive and cumbersome tasks often faced during initial network deployment. Centralized AP configuration and monitoring also greatly reduces maintenance overhead for IT staff.

SERVICES

As wireless networks increasingly become the primary network used by organizations, it is crucial to take into consideration fundamental network services, such as DHCP, NAT, and routing. In addition to providing these functions, the Edgecore Controller also implements the concept of a “Service Zone”, which essentially segments the controller into multiple virtual controllers, each with its own associated network services, user policies, authentication settings, etc. Finally, the Edgecore Controller provides unique valueadded capabilities, such as a direct integration with Micros Opera PMS that greatly simplifies the overhead of providing managed Wi-Fi in hotels.

REPORTING

Whether it is real-time monitoring of network activity or tracking the usage of previous Wi-Fi users, network administrators need the appropriate tools at their disposal to increase efficiency and reduce workload. The Edgecore Controllers have an extensive set of logging and reporting features that allow network administrators to easily find any information related to the wireless network. The built-in system dashboard provides a quick overview of the current system status, along with graphical reports of network traffic and system performance. In addition, there is a simple interface for viewing online devices and their associated detailed statistics, including but not limited to the roles they belong to, enforced network policies, and packets transferred. Alongside network monitoring, the Edgecore Controller also performs detailed logging of all network activity. For example, the User HTTP Web Log allows network administrators to track users who visited malicious websites, while the DHCP Lease Log can assist in troubleshooting clients who cannot receive an IP address. Lastly, the Configuration Change Log shows administrators which settings have been modified in the past, in case there are configuration errors that need to be reverted.