The Colubris Network Management System

The Network Management System (NMS) is a standalone WLAN management system that centralizes all configuration, performance monitoring, fault management, and troubleshooting functions for the Colubris Intelligent Mobility Solution. Designed to simplify deployment and minimize network operational costs, the Colubris NMS features an embedded database, and scales easily from small WLANs to large networks servicing tens of thousands of client devices. Because it communicates with Colubris MultiService Controllers (MSCs) and Access Points (MAPs) using standard Internet protocols, NMS can manage any network topology, from a local campus network to a large, geographically-distributed network that spans hundreds of locations.

NMS is offered as a turn-key appliance that is quick and easy to install, or as application software that runs on specified PC servers. An intuitive browser-based GUI makes configuration and ongoing management easy no matter which model you choose. Licensing for the Colubris NMS is based on network size, making it a cost-effective management solution for networks ranging from a few to thousands of access points.

• Automatically discovers Colubris Intelligent Mobility Solution network elements for fast, easy deployment
• Automates the configuration of over 200 element settings, plus software distribution, eliminating potential human errors
• Provides accurate troubleshooting data through real time network and user-level monitoring
• Continuously audits security policies to ensure consistent enforcement
• Includes a reporting package that supplies detailed trending information to facilitate capacity planning
• Allows secure, remote management from any Web browser
• Supports unified LAN/WLAN management with an HP OpenView plug-in module and SNMP interface
• Scalable software architecture provides a seamless upgrade path

The MultiService Access Point 320R

Individual Access Point Management

Wireless networking is more than just a tool for mobile connectivity, it's a technology that can differentiate you from the competition and help you surpass business goals. Founded in 2000, Colubris Networks understands the endless opportunities inherent in wireless LAN (WLAN) technology and delivers intelligent WLAN solutions that optimize mobility and performance for the world's largest wireline and wireless carriers, and leading enterprises and institutions in the hospitality, manufacturing, transportation and healthcare markets. Through its award-winning Colubris Intelligent Mobility Solution, an optimized WLAN switching system, Colubris is the first company to offer all of the benefits of centralized WLAN management without the performance and congestion penalties associated with first generation WLAN switches. For service providers and enterprises, Colubris provides:

• Reliability: Colubris WLANs have been accessed by more than 40 million unique users across the globe.
• Scalability: Ability to scale from a small site to large distributed multinational networks.
• Performance optimization: By distributing intelligence across the WLAN, the Colubris Solution eliminates 98% of backbone bandwidth load generated by conventional switches, while centralizing deployment and operation.
• Investment protection: Distributed intelligence provides a cost-effective migration path to next generation WLAN technologies, including 802.11n.
• Simplicity: Plug-and-play features speed deployment and ease ongoing management, while users experience fast, easy mobile access to a wide range of applications from any device type.

The award-winning Colubris Intelligent Mobility Solution is a complete, optimized WLAN switching system that enables enterprises to extend the services of a wired network infrastructure to wireless users, delivering a more diverse set of applications, providing network access via a multitude of devices, and ultimately boosting business productivity. For service providers, the Colubris Solution enables fast deployment of new, higher-margin services, creating new growth opportunities while maintaining low cost-of-management.

The Colubris Intelligent Mobility Solution is built from the ground up to provide organizations with everything they need to pursue wireless networking opportunities:

• High performance: Based on the industry's first optimized WLAN switch architecture, the Colubris Solution delivers unparalleled performance, efficiency, and scalability.
• Centralized management and control: The Colubris Solution provides an intelligent central management and control point with its multiservice controllers. Organizations can easily control access points to provide roaming, enforce consistent security and QoS policies, and automates access point configuration to minimize deployment and operation costs.
• Multi-layer security: Strong authentication, encryption, filtering, and VLAN tagging policies are applied on a per-user basis at the network perimeter using a multi-layer approach. In addition, RF security sensors provide a layer of security that automatically identifies and blocks wireless network attacks and vulnerabilities.
• Investment protection: The Colubris Solution gives organizations the agility to quickly support new WLAN standards that increase performance and deliver new applications, while scaling and expanding RF coverage as needs evolve.
• Consistent QoS: The Colubris Solution ensures end-to-end performance and tailors QoS to meet the needs of all applications, such as guest Internet access, wireless telephony and fixed mobile convergence.
• Network efficiency and reliability: With over 40 million unique users having accessed a Colubris WLAN, the Colubris Solution assures users a hassle-free experience, with fast and reliable mobile access to a wide range of applications from any device.
• Integration with wired networks: Designed to compliment, not duplicate, existing network infrastructures, the Colubris Solution exposes WLAN traffic flows to existing wired network security systems and authenticates users against central AAA security servers for assignment of consistent identity-based privileges.

The Colubris Product Family

The Colubris product family is modular and highly scalable. Each network element comes with built-in intelligence that delivers consistent high performance as your network grows.

MultiService Controllers (MSC)
Colubris MultiService Controllers (MSC) are the central nervous system of the Colubris Solution, controlling the configuration, operation, and management of Colubris MultiService Access Points. MSCs ensure consistent quality and security as clients roam throughout the network. With plug-and-play capabilities, Colubris MSCs simplify WLAN deployment and minimize network operation costs.

MSCs compose the control plane in then Colubris Optimized WLAN Switch Architecture, centrally controlling a network of up to hundreds of multiservice access points per MSC. The architecture offers all the benefits of centralized management and control without the traditional penalty of centralized switching, reducing backbone traffic by as much as 98% compared to other WLAN solutions. Public/Guest Internet Access Service is included as a feature in all MSC configurations, providing secure Internet access to deliver the best possible user experience.

Network Management System (NMS)
The Colubris Network Management System (NMS) is a standalone WLAN management system that centralizes all configuration, performance monitoring, fault management, and troubleshooting functions for the Colubris Solution. Designed to simplify deployment and minimize network operational costs, a single NMS can manage large networks of thousands of controllers and access points at geographically remote locations.

NMS is offered as a turn-key appliance that is quick and easy to install, or as application software that runs on specified PC servers. Licensing for the Colubris NMS is based on network size, making it a cost-effective management solution.

MultiService Access Points (MAP)
When deployed as part of the Colubris Solution, Colubris MultiService Access Points (MAPs) create a centrally-managed multiservice WLAN infrastructure with seamless roaming between access points. Designed for plug-and-play deployment, MAPs are controlled by MSCs, using an advanced protocol to automate configuration while ensuring continuous security and availability. MAPs are designed to satisfy the most demanding enterprise and service provider applications, while ensuring that configurations and software versions are synchronized across the WLAN.

Colubris MAPs can deliver as many as 16 different WLAN services, multiplying the flexibility and value of the infrastructure. The Colubris Solution ensures each service is consistently delivered by each MAP, while traffic is segmented for security. Customers can deploy a range of services, including public/guest Internet access, secure data, voice and video. Each service is mapped to a unique SSID and MAC address (BSSID), enabling client devices to quickly identify and associate with the service they need while ensuring complete interoperability with third-party client devices.

MAPs offer versatile support for traditional standalone network topologies. They are easily configured for autonomous mode operation, providing access to a rich set of features through local management interfaces. In autonomous mode, MAPs offer support for Local Mesh Protocol, an easy to configure wireless backhaul network, and the access point provides configurable QoS, security and a range of filtering capabilities.

RF Manager and Planner
The Colubris RF Manager delivers to the wireless network the same comprehensive protection as a wired network firewall and IPS. It automatically identifies and prevents security risks and attacks, graphically displays the location of wireless devices, provides real-time network audits and assists in RF performance troubleshooting. The RF Planner accurately models WLAN coverage by factoring in physical variables and WLAN equipment characteristics and facilitates deployment by enabling the assessment of security risks.

Colubris Operating System (COS)
The Colubris Operating System is embedded in all system components and creates a unified platform for consistent delivery of WLAN services. With COS, a wide array of mobile applications can be delivered easily across a single WLAN infrastructure, including voice, data, and video services.

What does "Colubris" mean? Hummingbirds are memebers of the Archilochus genus. The Archilochus Colubris is the well known Ruby-throated Hummingbird shown to the right. The Colubris is capable of traveling asounding distances even though they are of small size. They can fly non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico.