Overview Of Wireless Networks - Ruckus Wireless ZoneDirector 1100 User Manual

Managing a Wireless Local Area Network

Overview of Wireless Networks

Overview of Wireless Networks

Once you have completed the ZoneDirector Setup Wizard, you have a fully functional wireless
network, based on two secure WLANs (if you enabled the optional guest WLAN) with access
for authorized users and guests. The default WLAN provides Zero-IT connectivity for "stan-
dard" client devices, those clients running Windows XP SP2 (or later), Windows Vista, Windows
7 or Mac OS X, and utilizing WPA-ready NICs.
There are several scenarios in which you will want to create additional WLANs, in addition to
the default and guest WLANs:
• To limit certain WLANs to groups of qualified users, to enhance security and efficiency (for
example, an "Engineering" WLAN with a closed roster of users).
• To configure a specific WLAN with different security settings. For example, you may need
a WLAN that utilizes WEP encryption for wireless devices that only support WEP-key
encryption.
• To create special WLANs with different settings for specific purposes. For example, a VoIP
WLAN for voice traffic with Background Scanning and load balancing disabled, or a student
WLAN that is only available during school hours.
In the first scenario, specific WLANs (esp. regarding authentication and encryption algorithm)
can be set up that support specific groups of users. This requires a two-step process: (1) create
the custom WLAN and link it to qualified user accounts by "roles," and (2) assist all qualified
users to prepare their client devices for custom WLAN connection.
As a result, you will have the default WLAN for authorized internal users, a guest WLAN for
visitors and any needed WLANs that fulfill different wireless security or user segmentation
requirements.
The maximum number of WLANs configurable per ZoneDirector controller are as follows:
Table 19. Max WLANs by ZoneDirector model
Model
ZoneDirector 1100
ZoneDirector 3000
ZoneDirector 5000
The maximum number of WLANs deployable per AP radio is eight. If an AP is in mesh mode,
the maximum number of WLANs deployable per radio is six, since the mesh uses two SSIDs
(this applies to both radios on dual-band APs).
Max WLANs
128
1024
2048
112