Aruba Networks launches Series 320 access points

Source: Aruba Networks website.

Aruba Networks, an HP company, has introduced the Aruba 320 series of access points (APs) which support new connectivity infrastructure called Wave 2, an update to the original 802.11ac standard. According to the company, the 320 series significantly boosts network capacity. 

"To accelerate the adoption of 802.11ac Wave 2 solutions, Qualcomm Atheros is working with networking leaders, like Aruba, to manufacture next generation Wi-Fi equipment,” said Irvind Ghai, VP, Product Management, Qualcomm Atheros, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm. “Aruba has taken an innovative approach to maximising Wave 2 performance with its enhanced ClientMatch dynamic MU-MIMO grouping. This technology is designed to automatically identify MU-MIMO-capable mobile devices and steer them to the closest Wave 2-capable access point to provide enterprise-grade performance and capacity.”

Aruba's improved ClientMatch technology, found in the APs, can achieve 42% improvement in performance over competing Wave 2 solutions, Aruba said.

Aruba has also integrated Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) Aruba Beacons into the 320 series APs. Beacons enable indoor locations to be identified easily for location-based applications such maps. With the 320 series APs businesses can manage and configure battery-powered Aruba Beacons through the cloud, as well as check battery levels, eliminating the need to install a USB version of the Aruba Beacon on Aruba access points. Aruba adds that beacons from competing vendors lack backend management tools and do not scale efficiently to enterprise-wide or large public venue deployments. 

The Aruba 320 series APs will be available in Q3 2015. Enhanced ClientMatch is available in June as part of the new ArubaOS 6.4.4 software enhancement.