Extreme Networks Summit WM User Manual page 18

Overview of the Controller, Access Points, and WM software solution
Simplifying the Wireless APs makes them cost-effective, easy to manage, and easy to deploy. Putting
control on an intelligent centralized Summit WM Controller enables:
Centralized configuration, management, reporting, and maintenance
High security
Flexibility to suit enterprise
Scalable and resilient deployments with a few Summit WM Controllers controlling hundreds of
Wireless APs
The Summit WM Controller, Access Points, and WM software system:
Scales up to Enterprise capacity - One Summit WM100/1000 controller controls as many as 200
Wireless APs. One Summit WM20 controller controls as many as 32 Wireless APs and one Summit
WM200/2000 controller controls as many as 200 Wireless APs. In turn each Wireless AP can handle
up to 254 wireless devices, with each radio supporting a maximum of 128. With additional Summit
WM Controllers, the number of wireless devices the solution can support can reach into the
thousands.
Integrates with existing network - A Summit WM Controller can be added to an existing enterprise
network as a new network device, greatly enhancing its capability without interfering with existing
functionality. Integration of the Summit WM Controllers and Wireless APs does not require any
reconfiguration of the existing infrastructure (for example, VLANs).
Offers centralized management and control - An administrator accesses the Summit WM Controller
in its centralized location to monitor and administer the entire wireless network. From the Summit
WM Controller the administrator can recognize, configure, and manage the Wireless APs and
distribute new software releases.
Provides easy deployment of Wireless APs - The initial configuration of the Wireless APs on the
centralized Summit WM Controller can be done with an automatic "discovery" technique. For more
information, see
Provides security via user authentication - Uses existing authentication (AAA) servers to
authenticate and authorize users.
Provides security via filters and privileges - Uses virtual networking techniques to create separate
Access Domains with defined authentication and billing services, access policies, and privileges.
Supports seamless mobility and roaming - Supports seamless roaming of a wireless device from
one Wireless AP to another on the same Summit WM Controller or on a different Summit WM
Controller.
Integrates third-party access points - Uses a combination of network routing and authentication
techniques.
Prevents rogue devices - Unauthorized access points are detected and identified as harmless or
dangerous rogue APs.
Provides accounting services - Logs wireless user sessions, user group activity, and other activity
reporting, enabling the generation of consolidated billing records.
Offers troubleshooting capability - Logs system and session activity and provides reports to aid in
troubleshooting analysis.
Offers Dynamic Radio Management - Automatically selects channels and adjusts Radio Frequency
(RF) signal propagation and power levels without user intervention.
18
"Discovery and registration overview" on page 71.
Summit WM User Guide, Software Version 5.3