Implementation of D-Link s wireless solutions increases by over 700 in 2008

LONDON, UK 15 January, 2009 D-Link, a leading wireless networking supplier to the schools sector, has announced the launch of the DWS-3024L 24-port Wireless Controller Switch, a fully featured yet affordable managed wireless solution developed specifically for the education market. The introduction of the DWS-3024L coincides with the latest company figures showing a significant uptake in wireless networking in 2008, with over 700 increase in the uptake of D-Link wireless networking by the UK education market.

The introduction of the DWS-3024L extends D-Link s portfolio of unified wireless devices. D-Link s DWS-3024L is a Gigabit wireless switch optimised to work in conjunction with the DWL-3500AP and DWL-8500AP wireless Access Points APs . The DWS-3024L is the ideal solution for schools or colleges that require an entry-level managed wireless network and don t want to change their existing infrastructure.

Deployment of the switch allows for superior network management, meaning that all aspects of the wireless LAN can be centrally controlled, vastly reducing staff downtime. With the DWS-3024L centralised management platform, network maintenance and configuration becomes a more efficient process. If any access point were to fail, administrators can instantly identify its location and swap it out with another. The DWS-3024L automatically configures the new AP with the same settings as the previous unit.

As a capacity guideline, the DWS-3024L can support up to 24 access points, comfortably serving at least 240 concurrent users. Up to four switches can be used in peer mode, so the solution is scalable up to 960 pupils or students using wireless at the same time.

To coincide with the launch of the DWS-3024L, D-Link is pleased to announce unified firmware for its business wireless Access Points. The new firmware provides advanced functionality by allowing the DWL-3500AP and DWL-8500AP devices to work as managed thin as well as stand-alone APs. Furthermore, the unified firmware allows the AP to intelligently change between thin and stand-alone mode by automatically detecting the presence of a D-Link Wireless Switch on the network.

The DWL-3500AP and DWL-8500AP are therefore scalable APs, ideal for schools that would like to centrally manage their wireless network sometime in the future, but don t have the resource to do so immediately.

2008 also saw major development by D-Link in its end-to-end security solution E2ES , designed to alleviate concerns over network intrusion. D-Link E2ES provides a robust defence at both the network gateway and endpoint user level. This approach is in response to the fact that the majority of virus attacks come from within the LAN. It is therefore essential that the network not only has a gateway firewall to protect against external intruders, but a strong level of security at the endpoint user to prevent against viruses brought onto the network internally. For example, when teachers or pupils connect a laptop to the school network, they may unknowingly introduce a virus onto the network.

This level of security is typically only found in wired networks, but D-Link s E2ES solution ensures that wireless networks are provided with the same level of security as with wired, providing peace of mind that the school network is protected against all malicious and unintentional threats.

The launch of the new Wireless Switch further demonstrates D-Link s understanding of the network infrastructure needs of the education environment, said Andrew Mulholland, D-Link s Marketing Manager. The DWS-3024L brings advanced network management to schools and colleges of all sizes, in an entry-level solution. In addition, this latest Access Point firmware update from D-Link provides schools a clear upgrade path should they intend to invest in a managed wireless switch sometime in the future.

The DWS-3024L has a Recommended Retail Price RRP of 2,299 inc. VAT and will be available from January 2009. For more information on D-Link, visit www.dlink.co.uk.

D-Link will be at stand number E119 at BETT 2009 14 17 Jan, 2009, Olympia, London .