Aruba’s all-wireless workplace for #GenMobile

By Digital News Asia April 25, 2014

‘Mobility-defined networks’ with automated security and performance optimisations
Eliminates need for IT pros to manually accommodate new mobile devices and apps

Aruba’s all-wireless workplace for #GenMobile

ARUBA Networks Inc has unveiled Aruba Mobility-Defined Networks, a new architecture for IT departments to build an all-wireless workplace designed for improved #GenMobile job satisfaction and productivity.

Supporting the new architecture, Aruba also introduced five new software innovations that it said deliver IT granular visibility, performance optimisations and security automation to support the networking needs of highly mobile employees.

To be a leader in today’s competitive business world, enterprises need their IT departments to help retain and attract #GenMobile employees, Aruba said in a statement.

Enterprises can accomplish this by creating a truly all-wireless workplace where WiFi is pervasive, guest and BYOD (bring your own device) security are automated, office appliances are mobile-device friendly, and communications applications on mobile devices simply work better.

Aruba Mobility-Defined Networks transform enterprise networks into intelligent systems, providing total control over the all-wireless experience, the company said.

The added intelligence enables an automated, self-adjusting infrastructure where changes in wireless state trigger security actions and performance optimisation measures so that the infrastructure adapts to its environment.

Unlike traditional static WiFi networks, Aruba Mobility-Defined Networks eliminate the need for IT professionals to make manual changes to accommodate new mobile devices and applications, the company claimed.

The results are fewer helpdesk complaints and a better end-user experience, it added.

Aruba defines #GenMobile as the generation with the highest preference for mobility at home and at work, typically aged between 18 and 35 years old.

“Our customers have found that the all-wireless workplace is easily afforded by rightsizing the network and redirecting IT investments,” said Albert Tay, Asean general manager at Aruba Networks.

“Aruba Mobility-Defined Networks enables IT departments to build intelligent and self-optimising infrastructures where security actions are automated, performance is enhanced, and efficient workflows adapt to the dynamics of mobility.

“The resulting rightsized network reduces capital costs associated with the fixed wired infrastructure and delivers an integrated mobility experience that everyone can depend on,” he claimed.

As a part of Aruba Mobility-Defined Networks for the all-wireless workplace, Aruba is delivering five essential firsts:

1) Next-generation mobility firewall

Unlike other WiFi firewalls, Aruba’s new Next-Generation Mobility Firewall uses advanced deep packet inspection (DPI) to set granular role-based policies, quality of service and bandwidth contracts for more than 1,500 mobile applications, even when they are encrypted.

This empowers IT professionals with unmatched WiFi control over applications, accelerating the creation of an all-wireless workplace both IT and #GenMobile employees can trust.

2) Interactive Unified Communications dashboard

Aruba AirWave now offers an advanced and intuitive user interface for visualising and controlling Unified Communications (UC), like Microsoft Lync, over WiFi.

The new UC dashboard is the first tool of its kind for IT professionals to bring UC and network performance metrics together in one, simple, consolidated view. IT administrators can easily point and click to retrieve historical metrics and visualize real-time call quality by location, thereby eliminating manual investigations for UC failures.

Combined with the WiFi controls for applications, IT admins now have the tools to cut the cord on the desk phone and wirelessly deliver communications application to #GenMobile users.

3) ClearPass Exchange and technology partners

The new Aruba ClearPass Exchange makes it easy for IT professionals to automate security workflows for the all-wireless workplace, the company claimed.

IT administrators can leverage a set of common language application programming interfaces (APIs) and data feeds that allow ClearPass to automate workflows with almost any third-party IT and business system from Aruba partners like IBM, AirWatch and MobileIron.

4) Auto Sign-On

New Aruba Auto Sign-On enabled by ClearPass and ArubaOS, uses a workplace’s WiFi login to automatically authenticate an employee into Single Sign-On (SSO) enabled applications, like those from Salesforce.com.

5) AirGroup, now for DLNA and UPnP

AirGroup, enabled by ClearPass and ArubaOS, allows #GenMobile to wirelessly share screens and stream media with Apple and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) and Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) devices.

Aruba AirGroup optimises for WiFi performance and limits the view of available devices based on the employee’s role, location and time of day. Since AirGroup is completely self-service, #GenMobile employees can easily set devices for sharing in their all-wireless workplace, eliminating the need for IT support.

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