A WLAN controller manages groups of wireless access points for large areas, providing mobile internet access for many users. It simplifies configuration, load balancing, security, and scalability, while reducing personnel costs and offering seamless connectivity.
A wireless local area network (WLAN) controller is an electronic device that manages groups of wireless network access points that all derive from the same data connection. They are used in places such as airports, office buildings and shopping malls where wireless Internet is available over a large area. Specifically, a WLAN controller is used to administer features such as security, voice, and location services.
With the influx of devices capable of using a wireless network, providing wireless access is fast becoming a necessity, rather than a luxury, for businesses serving their customers. The advantage of offering WLAN over a large area is to provide mobile Internet access for a large potential number of users with different access levels. Many companies choose to offer such mobility to increase productivity. In places like airports and shopping malls, guest access may be offered free of charge or for a small fee for a limited time.
A WLAN controller allows you to manage such networks where a single wireless router or multiple access points would be insufficient or overloaded. Traditionally, if a location such as an airport chose to offer wireless access, it would be set up with as many self-contained access points installed as needed to provide the required coverage. Each node, as they are known, should be independently configured with the correct settings for guest access, bandwidth and security restrictions.
There are a number of disadvantages inherent in this type of ad hoc setup, which are generally remedied by incorporating a WLAN controller. The first concerns the concept of load balancing. If a particular node experiences unusually heavy traffic, it may slow down when the access point hits its maximum. A WLAN controller can counter this problem by distributing the load across all available nodes.
Using a WLAN controller also means that security policy, encryption and other settings only need to be configured once in a centralized location. This eliminates the need to configure each access point individually, which in turn greatly simplifies and improves the scalability of a growing wireless network. A WLAN-controlled network can also be more easily administered by fewer technicians, reducing personnel costs.
A network that incorporates a WLAN controller can also offer seamless connectivity as you move between individual nodes. Such freedom is not possible when each access point is configured separately. For users connected via a mobile phone or similar device, this can be extremely beneficial.
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