Ruckus ZoneDirector 3000

Ruckus ZoneDirector™ 3000 Overview:

The First Simple and Powerful Enterprise Smart Wireless LAN Controller

Now, any organization with a limited IT staff and budget can quickly and inexpensively create a highly-secure wireless LAN (WLAN) — with ZoneDirector 3000. Capable of centrally managing up to 500 ZoneFlex 802.11g and 802.11n Smart Wi-Fi access points (APs), ZoneDirector 3000 is designed for ease of use, high performance, and low cost of ownership. Ruckus Smart Redundancy ensures high network availablity and is easy to use with automatic synchronization of configuration and authorized users between ZoneDirectors.

The Ruckus Wireless ZoneDirector 3000 is the fi rst enterprise-class Smart Wireless LAN system that delivers a secure, robust and easily expandable WLAN solution at an unmatched total cost of ownership.

Capable of managing up to 500 ZoneFlex Smart Wi-Fi access points from a single location, the Ruckus ZoneDirector 3000 is designed for simplicity and ease of use.

Unlike conventional wireless LAN systems that are costly, complex and cumbersome to deploy, the ZoneDirector 3000 is ideal for any enterprise that requires a high-performance wireless LAN that can be easily deployed and managed.

The ZoneDirector 3000 integrates the Ruckus Smart/ OS application engine that delivers advanced features such as smart wireless meshing, high availability, hot spot authentication, elegant guest networking and dynamic Wi-Fi security.

The Ruckus ZoneDirector 3000 can be deployed and operated by non-wireless experts and installed quickly and easily. Any organization with limited IT staff and budget can create a robust and secure multimedia WLAN in a matter of minutes.

The Ruckus ZoneDirector easily integrates with network, security and authentication infrastructure already in place and is easily confi gured through a point-and-click web wizard. Ruckus ZoneFlex APs automatically discover and are confi gured by the ZoneDirector.

Redundant and secure, the Ruckus ZoneDirector provides WLAN-wide network, security, RF and location management within a single, easy-to-use and affordable WLAN system.

 

Benefits:

• Unmatched scalability
  Supporting up to 500 APs and 32 WLANs per device, the ZoneDirector 3000 can easily serve the largest campus deployments
• IT lite deployment in 5 minutes, simple to use and manage
  Web-based confi guration wizard confi gures an entire WLAN in minutes. ZoneFlex APs auto-discover the ZoneDirector. Centralized management and automatic, real-time optimization of entire WLAN
• Advanced WLAN features and functions
  Advanced wireless networking features include rogue AP detection, intererence detection, band steering, airtime fairness, role-based user policies, rate-limiting, hotspot and guest networking services
• Smart Mesh Networking streamlines costly and complex deployment
  Integrated Ruckus Smart Mesh Networking technology automates deployment, eliminates the need to run Ethernet cable to every Smart Wi-Fi access point. Adaptable architecture with Hybrid Mesh extends the wireless network through Ethernet-connected APs, increasing system performance through better spatial reuse
• Automatic user security
  Dynamic PSK eliminates the requirement to confi gure and update individual PC client devices with unique encryption keys. Dynamic VLAN assignment seamlessly extends existing security policies to the WLAN
• Easy monitoring and troubleshooting
  Customizable dashboard provides comprehensive at-a-glance network snapshot and allows drill down to troubleshoot wireless problems
• Distributed forwarding architecture
  Maximizes data throughput by sending all data traffi c directly from the access points to the wired network
• Flexible deployment options
  The ZoneDirector interacts with existing network and security infrastructure and provides dynamic RF management across APs to eliminate AP placement issues
• Complete integration
  Combines network management, dynamic RF management, location management and AP control within a low-cost solution

Simple to Deploy

The Ruckus ZoneDirector integrates seamlessly with existing switches, firewalls, authentication servers and other network infrastructure. The ZoneDirector can be placed within any Layer 2/3 network. All Ruckus ZoneFlex APs (wired or meshed) then automatically discover the Ruckus ZoneDirector, self confi gure and become instantly manageable. Ruckus Smart Redundancy ensures high network availablity and is easy to use with automatic synchronization of confi guration and authorized users between ZoneDirectors.

Simple to Manage

Once up and running the ZoneDirector automatically manages the ZoneFlex network of APs – automatically adjusting transmit power levels and RF channel assignments as needed, to prevent adjacent APs from interfering and enable redundant coverage in the event of an AP failure. Configuration changes can easily be applied to multiple APs, or the entire system, simultaneously. A customizable dashboard provides instant access to a variety of client and network information and events, and a real-time heat map displays AP locations and signal coverage, as well as your SmartMesh topology.

ZoneDirector Smart WLAN systems integrate a unique performance utility from Ruckus called SpeedFlex™. Ruckus SpeedFlex allows administrators to locally or remotely determine client Wi-Fi performance over the wireless LAN. With SpeedFlex, administrators can now better plan, troubleshoot, monitor and measure WLAN performance, eliminating the need to use Internet-based speed tools that often provide inaccurate results of the local Wi-Fi environment.

Simple to Secure

The ZoneDirector 3000 provides innovative new techniques that simplify and automated Wi-Fi security. In addition to enterpriseclass 802.1x support, the ZoneDirector 3000 supports a patentpending Dynamic Pre-Shared Key (PSK) capability that streamlines WLAN security.

First-time users plug their computers into the LAN and specify a URL that directs them to a captive web portal for a one-time authentication. After successful authentication, the ZoneDirector automatically configures the client system with the designated SSID and a dynamically-generated encryption key. The key is bound to the client, and can be removed upon expiration when the user or the user's device is no longer trusted.

The Ruckus ZoneDirector centralizes authentication and authorization decisions for all APs, providing secure admission control across the WLAN. It works with any backend authentication database such as RADIUS and ActiveDirectory and also comes with an internal authentication database. Additionally, clients can be dynamically assigned to a VLAN based on their RADIUS attributes.

Avoid Interference, Maximize Performance and Extend Reach with Network BeamFlex

Ruckus BeamFlex™, a patented Wi-Fi beam-steering technology, ensures predictable performance for multimedia traffic applications and extended range to eliminate Wi-Fi deadspots. With ZoneDirector, the value of BeamFlex is extended beyond a single access point to the system-wide WLAN and smart Wi-Fi meshing.

The ZoneDirector automatically controls the channel assignments and transmit power of all ZoneFlex Smart Wi-Fi APs. And with BeamFlex, the ZoneFlex system continuously picks the best path for every packet, to both clients outside the network and mesh APs inside the network, automatically avoiding interference, to guarantee the highest quality of service.

SmartMesh Increases Flexibility, Reduces Costs

Ruckus Smart Mesh Networking enables self-organizing and selfhealing WLAN deployment. It eliminates the need to run Ethernet cables to every AP, allowing administrators to simply plug in ZoneFlex APs to any power source and walk away. All confi guration and management is delivered through the ZoneDirector Smart WLAN controller. APs can also be daisy-chained to mesh APs to extend the mesh and take advantage of spatial reuse. Smart meshing uses patented Smart Wi-Fi technology to extend range and control Wi-Fi signals to minimize inter-nodal hops that degrade performance and automatically adapt Wi-Fi connections between nodes to maintain ultra high reliability.

Mobility

The Ruckus Mobility module delivers faster and more secure Wi-Fi roaming for Voice over IP (VoIP) as well as data applications. A simple software license for the Ruckus ZoneOS (version 7.0 and higher), the Ruckus Mobility module adds key capabilities to the Ruckus ZoneFlex line of Smart Wireless controllers such as wireless LAN tunneling for voice over Wi-Fi applications and 802.1X fast roaming.

The Ruckus Mobility module minimizes erratic Wi-Fi behavior by enabling uninterrupted voice calls through the use of Layer 3 tunneling and using key caching techniques when roaming across ZoneFlex 802.11g/n access points (AP) to minimize roaming delays.

Unique Performance Utility

ZoneDirector 3000 integrates SpeedFlex™, which allows administrators to locally or remotely determine client Wi-Fi performance. With SpeedFlex, administrators can better plan, troubleshoot, monitor, and measure WLAN performance.

Streamlined, Bulletproof Security

ZoneDirector 3000 supports enterprise-class 802.1x with any backend authentication database, such as RADIUS and ActiveDirectory, and also comes with an internal authentication database. First-time ZoneDirector users simply plug their computers into the WLAN, and specify a URL that directs them to a captive web portal for first-time authentication. Then, ZoneDirector automatically configures the client system with the designated SSID and a dynamically-generated encryption key that centralizes authentication and authorization decisions for all APs, providing secure admission control across the WLAN.

Features:

Smart/OS Software Suite and Application Engine

• Provides WLAN-wide network, security, RF, and location management.
• SmartMesh wireless meshing automates deployment, eliminates the need to run Ethernet cable to every Smart Wi-Fi access point
• Adaptable Hybrid SmartMesh extends the wireless network through Ethernet-connected APs
• Elegant guest networking without the hassle
• Dynamically-generated Pre-Shared Keys (PSK) that are automatically installed on clients
• Support for 802.1x, LDAP (captive portal), native Active Director, and RADIUS authentication with dynamic VLAN assignment
• Multi-site authentication to scale large deployments
• Automatic traffic redirection using WISPr for multi-site authentication for large-scale deployments
• Minimizes erratic Wi-Fi behavior, enabling uninterrupted voice calls, through the use of Layer 3 tunneling and using key caching techniques when roaming
• Bandsteering, load balancing, and airtime fairness to optimize Wi-Fi spectrum
• Users access policies provide rich WLAN control
• Traffic thresholds for users on a specific SSID to ensure fairness
• Maximizes data throughput by sending all data traffic directly from the access points to the wired network
• Aeroscout location services support

Easy to Deploy and Manage

• Seamless integration with existing switches, firewalls, authentication servers and other network infrastructure
• Can be placed within any Layer 2/3 network
• Automatically discovers and configures ZoneFlex APs
• Automatically adjusts AP transmit power levels and RF channel assignments to avoid interference and enable redundant coverage
• Dynamic RF controls over transmit power and channel assignments
• Supports 32 unique WLANs mapped to specific APs or VLANs
• Installs in minutes with intuitive web-based wizard
• Customizable dashboard provides instant access to a variety of client and network information and events
• Real-time heat map displays AP locations and signal coverage, and Smart Mesh Networking topology
• SpeedFlex allows administrators to locally or remotely determine client Wi-Fi performance

Outstanding Price/Performance

• Unmatched total cost of ownership
• Provides features not found in costlier WLAN systems
• Requires little IT time

*For ZoneFlex 7962, 7762 and 7363 dual-band access points

Better Quality Of Service With Fewer APs:

Leveraging Smart Wi-Fi technology that provides extended range and dynamic signal controls, ZoneDirector 3000’s Smart Mesh Networking:

• Minimizes inter-nodal hops that degrade performance
• Automatically adapts Wi-Fi connections between nodes to environmental changes
• Automatically controls the channel assignments and transmit power of all ZoneFlex Smart Wi-Fi APs
• Guest pass generation
• WIDS
• Fast roaming
• Distributed forwarding

The result? Fewer APs need to be deployed. And with BeamFlex, the ZoneFlex system continuously picks the best path for every packet, to clients outside the network and mesh APs inside the network.

Deployment:

ZoneFlex Architecture
The ZoneDirector 3000 can be deployed anywhere within a Layer 2/3 network. All ZoneFlex APs are dynamically discovered and automatically provisioned by the ZoneDirector.

Specifications:

 

Product Comparision:

 

Documentation:

Download the Ruckus ZoneDirector 3000 Datasheet (PDF).