Ruckus ZoneFlex 2741

Ruckus ZoneFlex™ 2741 Overview:

The Smartest 802.11g Outdoor Wi-Fi Access Point There Is, Delivering Range, Reliability with Dynamic Beamforming

No high-end wireless system or low-end consumer access point (AP) delivers all the advanced features and functionality of ZoneFlex 2741. Deployed individually, or as a system combined with indoor ZoneFlex 2741 and centrally managed by the ZoneDirector™ Smart WLAN family of controllers, it can extend with Ruckus Smart Mesh Networking Wi-Fi coverage into those hard-to-reach spaces of the Great Outdoors. It’s ideal for hotels and resorts covering pool areas, for schools and stadiums covering sports facilities, and for general enterprises covering shipping docks and other outdoor areas where Ethernet cabling is not possible. The ZF 2741 is also perfect for service providers looking to easily extend branded broadband services, offload data traffic from congested 3G networks, deploy multimedia hotspots or offer wireless DSL services where fixed line access is limited. The Ruckus ZoneFlex 7962 is the first affordable, dual-band 802.11n access point that delivers ultra-high speed, reliable and long-range client connectivity within challenging RF environments.

Unlike any other outdoor AP available today, each Ruckus ZoneFlex 2741 integrates a state-of-the-art intelligent antenna array that extends signal coverage and adapts to changes in the RF environment. Sophisticated expert control software constantly steers Wi-Fi signals over the best performing paths while rejecting interference—all in real time.

This high-gain smart antenna array supports up to 100 simultaneous data users or 20 concurrent voice calls, and capable of sustaining 20 Mbps of performance over 100 meters (LOS) and up to 10 Mbps of sustained throughput up to 300 meters. Superior signal coverage reduces the number of APs required for any given area.

The Ruckus ZoneFlex 2741 is the first centrally-managed 802.11g Smart Wi-Fi access point (AP) with advanced capabilities, such as an integrated high-gain directional antenna array and smart wireless meshing, not found in any other outdoor wireless AP.

Designed for harsh outdoor conditions, the Ruckus ZoneFlex 2741 is perfect for service providers looking to easily extend branded broadband services, offload data traffic from congested 3G networks, deploy multimedia hotspots or offer wireless broadband services where fixed line access is limited.

The ZoneFlex 2741 is also ideal for hotels, schools, warehouses and other enterprises needing to extend managed wireless LANs (WLANs) outdoors where Ethernet cabling is not possible.

The ZoneFlex 2741 is capable of sustaining performance of up to 20 Mbps over 100 meters and up to 10 Mbps over 300 meters or more. The ZoneFlex 2741 can be deployed and managed as a standalone AP, as part of a distributed Wi-Fi network using the Ruckus FlexMaster™ system or as part of a managed WLAN using the Ruckus ZoneDirector Smart WLAN controller.

Each ZoneFlex 2741 integrates Ruckus-patented BeamFlex™ smart antenna technology that automatically adapts Wi-Fi signals to changing environmental conditions – enabling unprecedented multimedia support, ensuring stable user connectivity and delivering consistent performance at longer ranges.

Flexible deployment options using sophisticated tunneling and traffi c redirection techniques, allow support for a number of hotspot business models. Advanced remote management includes support for Ruckus FlexMaster (using TR-069) remote WLAN management system as well as the ZoneDirector™ WLAN controller (using SNMP).

The ZoneFlex 2741 can be confi gured in minutes through a Web-based wizard on the Ruckus ZoneDirector controller. The Ruckus ZoneFlex 2741 simply plugs into any Ethernet network and automatically discovers the ZoneDirector. No RF tuning. No client configuration. A true plug-and-play multimedia WLAN that is ready to use, stable and high performance.

Simple Deployment and Configuration

Each ZoneFlex 2942-OT comes equipped with BeamFlex, a high-gain smart antenna array designed to deliver unsurpassed density and range. This self-optimizing technology allows ZoneFlex 2942-OT to be installed without site surveys and RF planning.

Water and dust-proof plastic enclosure with flexible mounting options (pole, ceiling, wall) ensures that no distortion of Wi-Fi signals is introduced.

Benefits:

• Breakthrough user performance, range and density
  Advanced smart antenna array and Quality of Service (QoS) technology delivers 20 concurrent voice calls, 100 simultaneous data users or 20 Mbps of guaranteed user throughput for over 100 meters (line of sight).
   
• Flexible deployment options enable myriad business models
  L2TP tunneling and WISPr (future) traffic redirection capabilities enable support for a variety of architectures and business models while SNMP and TR-069 support provide robust remote management.
   
• Smart antenna array extends coverage, improves reliability
  Directional, high-gain antennas dynamically combine to give hotspot operators and enterprises two- to four-times the coverage over typical consumer and enterprise APs.
   
• Hardened enclosure for harsh outdoor environments
  IP-65 water and dust proof plastic enclosure with flexible mounting options ensures that no distortion of Wi-Fi signals is introduced.
   
• No RF expertise required
  Smart antenna array eliminates AP placement issues and minimizes adjacent AP interference, while ZoneDirector controls dynamic channel assignment and power management.
   
• Proven video streaming support
  The Ruckus smart antenna system and video QoS already proven for real-time IP video streaming applications deployed by over 100 IPTV operators worldwide.
   
• “IT lite” confi guration and management
  Web-based wizard enables confi guration of multiple APs across the entire WLAN in minutes. Once configured, the WLAN manages itself.
   
• Enables business class multimedia hotspots
  New revenue opportunities for operators such as (VoFi) services, extended enterprise access, IP video applications and tiered service classes.

Ultra high performance and cost effective

Unlike any other outdoor AP available today, each Ruckus ZoneFlex 2741 integrates a state-of-the-art intelligent antenna array that extends signal coverage and adapts to changes in the RF environment. Sophisticated expert control software constantly steers Wi-Fi signals over the best performing paths while rejecting interference – all in real time. This high-gain smart antenna array supports up to 100 simultaneous data users or 20 concurrent voice calls, and capable of sustaining 20 Mbps of performance over 100 meters (LOS) and up to 10 Mbps of sustained throughput up to 300 meters. Superior signal coverage reduces the number of APs required for any given area.

Flexible deployment options and robust management

The ZoneFlex 2741 is ideally suited to help providers deliver consistent access policies and user experience across all locations using advanced tunneling or traffi c redirection techniques. The ZoneFlex 2741 can be deployed and managed individually as a standalone AP using SNMP or remotely as part of a network of APs, leveraging using the TR-069 protocol supported by the Ruckus FlexMaster Smart Wi-Fi management platform. The ZoneFlex 2741 can also be deployed as part of a managed wireless LAN system using the ZoneDirector Smart WLAN controller.

Simple configuration

Ruckus ZoneFlex 2741 APs are automatically configured by the Ruckus ZoneDirector. A network of APs can be centrally confi gured quickly and simply through the ZoneDirector’s Web-based wizard. And with the self-optimizing Ruckus BeamFlex technology, the ZoneFlex 2741 can be installed without extensive site surveys and RF planning.

The ZoneFlex 2741 is ideally suited to help providers deliver consistent access policies and user experience across all locations using advanced tunneling or traffic redirection techniques. The ZoneFlex 2741 can be deployed and managed individually as a standalone AP using SNMP or remotely as part of a network of APs, leveraging using the TR-069 protocol supported by the Ruckus FlexMaster Smart Wi-Fi management platform. The ZoneFlex 2741 can also be deployed as part of a managed wireless LAN system using the ZoneDirector Smart WLAN controller.

Smart meshing increases flexibility, reduces costs

The ZoneFlex 2741 uniquely supports Ruckus Smart Mesh Networking technology. This enables providers and enterprises to easily extend Wi-Fi services to locations where cabling Ethernet is cost prohibitive or impossible. Smart Mesh Networking is self-organizing and self-healing allowing administrators to plug ZoneFlex 2741 APs into PoE injectors, then walk away. All configuration and management is delivered through the ZoneDirector Smart WLAN platform. Patented Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi technology provides extended range and dynamic signal controls between mesh nodes, minimizing inter-nodal hops that degrade performance. Dynamic RF routing between mesh nodes adapts ensures high reliability when the environment changes.

Automatic User Security

Used with ZoneDirector, ZoneFlex 2741 provides first-of-its-kind automatic user security enforcement. With Ruckus Dynamic PSK™, new users simply plug their computers into the LAN, then specify a URL that directs them to a captive portal for a one-time authentication. Then, ZoneDirector automatically configures the user’s system with the designated SSID and a unique, dynamically-generated encryption key

Business-class, smart multimedia hotspots

The ZoneFlex 2741 lets operators build a new class of multimedia hotspots. Equipped with a dual-polarized directional antenna system, the ZoneFlex 2741 delivers stable connectivity to any Wi-Fi-enabled handheld device and fl icker-free support for concurrent video streams and voice over Wi-Fi calls.

With integrated support for L2TP tunneling and WISPr traffic redirection, the ZoneFlex 2741 is ideally suited to help providers deliver consistent access policies and user experience across all locations. This may include various authentication schemes, a selection of free services, and a user interface that protects the provider’s brand name while allowing for delivery of dynamic content.

Differentiated services with multiple SSIDs

Up to eight discrete SSIDs can be configured within each Ruckus ZoneFlex 2741, each with unique broadcast, QoS, security and management parameters assigned. This enables hot-zone operators to easily offer tiered services to different user or traffi c types. Enterprises can use this features to differentiate guest, contractor and employee access policies or to segment traffi c types.

Dynamic RF management

An integrated smart antenna system (BeamFlex) automatically coordinates local RF management – automatically steering Wi-Fi signals toward each receiver and away from noise. Unlike omni antennas, BeamFlex does not constantly radiate in all directions thereby minimizing adjacent AP interference. The Ruckus ZoneDirector also dynamically exerts control over RF channel assignments and transmit power levels to further optimize the RF environment without manual intervention.

A patented smart antenna array integrates six high-gain vertically and horizontally-polarized antenna elements. This enables up to 4096 potential antenna combinations and up to 10dB gain, delivering unprecedented range extension, signal reliability and higher data rates.

Features:

Integrates BeamFlex™ Smart Antenna Technology

• Enables consistent, high performance, extended coverage and multimedia support
• Automatic RF tuning adapts to constant changes in the environment with no client configuration needed
• Results in fewer APs, more satisfied users

True Plug-and-Play Multimedia Wireless LAN (WLAN)

• Web-based wizard allows any computer user to configure it through ZoneDirector
• Secure and sophisticated WLAN can be created in minutes
• BeamFlex and Quality of Service technology deliver 20 concurrent voice calls, 100 simultaneous data users or 20 Mbps of guaranteed user throughput for over 100 meters (line of sight)

Differentiated Services with Multiple SSIDs

• Up to eight discrete SSIDs can be configured
• Enables hot-zone operators to easily offer tiered services to different user or traffic types
• Enterprises can differentiate guest, contractor, and employee access policies or segment different traffic types.

Hardened enclosure for harsh outdoor environments

• IP-65 water and dust proof plastic enclosure with flexible mounting options ensures that no distortion of WiFi signals is introduced

Deployment:

Enterprise Architecture
ZoneFlex 2741 Smart Wi-Fi access points can be deployed as a seamless extension (meshed or wired) to a managed wireless LAN working in concert with indoor ZoneFlex 2942 APs and controlled by the Ruckus ZoneDirector Smart WLAN controller.

Smarter Multimedia HotSpot (SmartSpots) Architecture
Perfect for offl oading data traffi c from 3G networks, the ZoneFlex 2741 also supports L2TP tunneling and WISPr traffi c redirection (future) providing the cost-effective extension of carrier-branded broadband services and creating more robust multimedia hotspots.

Wireless Broadband Access Architecture
A long-range, adaptive smart antenna system within each ZoneFlex 2741 allows providers to reliably deliver new wireless DSL services in areas where fixed line access is non-existent or cost prohibitive.

Specifications:

Documentation:

Download the Ruckus ZoneFlex 2741 Datasheet (PDF).