Virtual branch network system

Aruba Networks has introduced its Virtual Branch Network (VBN) solution, which it claims transparently and securely connects remote users with enterprise applications and resources, simplifying the management of branch offices, clinics, home offices and teleworkers while lowering networking costs.

The solution is also designed for rapidly deploying business continuity services associated with disaster and pandemic recovery. Aruba’s VBN software for data centre-based Aruba Controllers, three new families of wired and wireless remote access points (RAPs) and branch office controllers (BOCs) are all part of the VBN solution.

Instead of replicating complexity at each remote location, Aruba’s VBN solution virtualises complex tasks at data centre controllers and pushes them to inexpensive RAPs and BOCs for execution. A centrally controlled, policy enforcement firewall in the data centre controller governs user access to the network and its resources by pushing policies to dissolvable firewall agents in every RAP and BOC. These agents automatically enforce the policies for every user and service.

Since all of the complex tasks are centrally managed and automatically disseminated, RAP and BOC set-up is quick and easy. Secure one-click installation allows a non-technical person to provision a branch office in minutes, with no intervention or assistance by IT. RAPs and BOCs are transport independent, and work with virtually any wide area network, including 3G cellular for instant connectivity. A RAP can be mailed to a remote user, connected to power and the WAN, and be fully commissioned following a single data entry.

The three new families of RAPs and BOCs feature policy-based local and remote packet forwarding, and adaptive radio management (ARM) technology for optimised Wi-Fi operation. A diagnostics feature displays status on a simple user interface and provides one-button debugging and one-button reset to factory defaults. Other key features include: RAP-2 Family, which is no larger than a deck of playing cards and designed for use by 1-5 users; RAP-5 Family, the book-sized RAP-5 includes five high-speed ethernet ports, a USB port for a broadband 3G cellular modem, hardware accelerated encryption and, optionally, an 802.11n Wi-Fi radio with integrated antennas and the 600 Branch Office Controller Family designed to be a ‘branch-in-a-box’ for offices with up to 256 users. The 600 family offers a broad range of WAN connectivity, network-attached storage, gigabit ethernet, power-over-ethernet (PoE), express card, and USB options. An integrated 802.11n Wi-Fi radio option rounds out the package.

A single Aruba 6000 Multi-Service Controller equipped with VBN software will support up to 8000 RAP or 600 series devices, and up to 32,000 users.