Introducing Ruckus Wireless Zonedirector; Overview Of Zonedirector - Ruckus Wireless ZoneDirector 1100 User Manual

Introducing Ruckus Wireless ZoneDirector

Overview of ZoneDirector

Overview of ZoneDirector

Ruckus Wireless ZoneDirector serves as a central control system for Ruckus ZoneFlex Access
Points (APs). ZoneDirector provides simplified configuration and updates, wireless LAN security
control, RF management, and automatic coordination of Ethernet-connected and mesh-
connected APs.
Using ZoneDirector in combination with Ruckus Wireless ZoneFlex APs allows deployment of
a Smart Mesh network, to extend wireless coverage throughout a location without having to
physically connect each AP to Ethernet. In a Smart Mesh network, the APs form a wireless mesh
topology to route client traffic between any member of the mesh and the wired network.
Meshing significantly reduces the cost and time requirements of deploying an enterprise-class
WLAN, in addition to providing much greater flexibility in AP placement.
ZoneDirector also integrates network, radio frequency (RF), and location management within
a single system. User authentication is accomplished with an internal user database, or
forwarded to existing Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) servers, such as
RADIUS or Active Directory. Once users are authenticated, client traffic is not required to pass
through ZoneDirector, thereby eliminating bottlenecks when higher speed Wi-Fi technologies
such as 802.11n are used.
In addition, ZoneDirector supports rogue AP detection and the ability to blacklist client devices
from the network — all of which are easily configured and enabled system-wide. When multiple
APs are in close proximity, ZoneDirector automatically controls the power and the channel
settings on each AP to provide the best possible total coverage and resilience.
This user guide provides complete instructions for using the Ruckus Wireless Web interface,
the wireless network management interface for ZoneDirector. With the Web interface, you can
customize and manage all aspects of ZoneDirector and your ZoneFlex network.
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