Modular Design Allows the Strix Access/One Network System to Exactly Meet Your Requirements

Strix Systems has taken a modular approach to the design of the Access/One Network. Modularity allows the IT manager to create the right wireless LAN network based on RF technology and network configuration needs. Access/One Network nodes literally snap together. Making changes to the network is as easy as popping off one module and snapping on a new one. And Access/One Network future-proofs your investment with a product that is designed to easily adapt emerging technologies like 802.16 WiMAX and 802.15.3a UltraWideband (UWB).

Self-Configuring and Self-Tuning Radio Systems

The Access/One Network is self configuring, self discovering and self tuning - continually monitoring network traffic and managing flow to optimize network performance. Access/One Network offers reliable, redundant communications paths across the network. Should a node become unavailable, the network self heals, routing traffic to available nodes. Access/One Network’s architecture makes it highly scalable. Adding new nodes is as easy as placing them and turning them on. The Access/One Network does the rest, automatically.

...Whatever Network Architecture is Required.

Whereas conventional access points must be connected by Ethernet cable, Access/One Network achieves a fully wireless infrastructure by employing mesh architecture. Control of Access/One Network is distributed throughout the wireless system, allowing nodes to communicate directly with other nodes. Within the Access/One Network environment, nodes send and receive network traffic, perform traffic routing, and provide localized connectivity and management functions – all without requiring a single interconnecting set of data cables. There are a number of modular components that make up a stacked unit, some of the more common configurations being discussed below. The right combination of modular units can be configured by Connect802 to meet some of the most demanding wireless LAN design challenges.

The Strix Base Unit

Each modular radio stack begins with a Base Unit. Base units may have no Ethernet ports (in which case they power the stack through an AC power adapter) or they may have either 1 or 4 10/100 Ethernet ports (in which case they can use either AC power or Power-over-Ethernet. The entire stack of modules (which is slightly taller than a coffee cup with a footprint roughly the size of a CD-ROM plastic case) can be placed on a surface or on an optional mounting shelf.

The Strix Radio Module

Radio modules are currently provided for 802.11b/g (2.4GHz), 802.11a (5 GHz) as well a specialty module for Bluetooth. Future development plans include radio modules for 802.16 WiMAX and 802.15.3e UltraWideband (UWB). A radio module can function in one of two modes: client mode and access point mode. A module in client mode attempts to connect to a neighboring Strix radio thereby creating the mesh infrastructure "cloud". A module in access point mode receives connections from both Strix radio modules in client mode as well as from user devices, like a standard 802.11 access point. When designing a modular stack the order of radio module placement and the number of modules determines the function of any particular module.

The Complete Strix Access/One Network Modular Radio Unit

Some of the more common configurations for Strix radio stack units were listed above on this page. Many possibilities exist, and Connect802 will be your resource for correct specification of the right modules to meet the requirements of your system.

At the top of the stack is the Antenna Cap. This cap has built-in antennas for both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands and it connects to the appropriate radio module through the interlocking connections up through stack of modules. Alternatively, external antennas can be connected to a radio module individually through the external antenna connector on the back of each radio module. In a case where all the radio modules are using external antennas (and the integrated antennas in the Antenna Cap are not used) a cover is used for the upper radio module to serve as the "top" of the modular stack.

The Strix Outdoor Wireless System (OWS) Unit

All of the sophisticated features that have been described for the Strix Network/One Network System are available in a self-contained outdoor unit, slightly larger than a shoebox. The weatherproof NEMA enclosure provides connectors for directly-attached external antennas as well as antenna cable connectors for remotely mounted antennas.

Access/One Networking for Outdoor Deployment

Access/One Network OWS enables the deployment of 802.11 networks across large urban areas, rural counties and entire regions—ideal for government agencies, service providers, and mobile users who want uninterrupted service on a citywide basis. Unlike traditional access points that offer limited coverage within predefined hot spots, or single radio/single RF mesh solutions that won’t scale, Access/One Network OWS provisions wireless hot zones that can extend over hundreds of square miles. The Access/One Network OWS delivers a high performance structured wireless mesh network infrastructure that delivers intelligence, scalability, security and unrivaled performance for large scale metro and rural networks.

Public Safety:

Police, fire, and other public safety departments have long been using wireless systems to provide network access for their employees. However, high costs of deployment and ongoing ownership with per use billing, and low data rates on the networks meant the networks were expensive to deploy and operate and resulted in only limited functionality. With the Access/One Network OWS, the public safety markets can deploy secure and manageable wireless networks in unlicensed spectrums that deliver the performance required to make the networks useful for voice, video, and data applications.

Public Access:

The public is clamoring for high speed internet access, so service providers and city governments are looking for ways to deploy that requested access to residents, businesses, and guests. Whether it is providing broadband access to underserved rural areas or competing with traditional wire line options, the Access/One Network is ideally suited for providing high-speed broadband access across large geographic regions. Access/One Networks can be installed for a fraction of the cost of more traditional high speed internet access options, and in far less time. Equally important the Access/One Network is capable of delivering high system capacity and low latency across the network, making it suitable for data, voice, and video applications.

Mixed Use Networks:

Distributed Control

Distributed intelligence results from a mesh topology. The control of the wireless network is distributed throughout, allowing intelligent Nodes to communicate directly with other Nodes, without having to be routed through a central control point. Decision-making is localized, such as the decision to route traffic destined for a neighbor Node, to that neighbor Node only, rather than broadcast the traffic unnecessarily through a centralized switch, and back out to the entire network. Problems can also be isolated in the system faster. Problems can usually be diagnosed back to a single Node or cluster, allowing managers to focus attention on one area of the system, rather than all Access Points. Fast problem solving means less downtime. Modular Nodes can be replaced without affecting the entire system. These factors make the system much less expensive and easier to operate.

A Self-Configuring, Self-Healing Network

A network shouldn't need a system administrator to tell it how to get a message to its destination. A mesh network is self-organizing and doesn't require manual configuration. Because of this, adding a new Network Node or relocating an existing Network Node is as simple as mounting it and turning it on. The network discovers the new Node and automatically incorporates it into the existing system. A mesh network is not only inherently reliable, it's also highly adaptable. It functions similar to the Internet, in that if one router goes down, messages are sent around it via other devices. Loss of one or more nodes doesn't necessarily affect the network's operation. A mesh network is self-healing because human intervention is not necessary for establishing new forwarding paths through the infrastructure.

Functions as a Repeater

Network Nodes can send and receive messages, and in a mesh network, a Network Node also functions as a repeater to relay messages for its neighbors. Through the relaying process, a packet of wireless data will find its way to its destination, passing through intermediate nodes with reliable communication links. A mesh network offers multiple redundant communications paths throughout the network. If one link fails for any reason, the network automatically forwards messages through alternate paths. In a mesh network, you can extend the reach, add redundancy, and improve the general reliability of the network simply by adding more Nodes.

Redundancy and Scalability

In a mesh network, the degree of redundancy is essentially a function of Network Node density. A network can be deliberately over-designed for reliability simply by adding extra Nodes, so each device has two or more paths for sending data. A mesh network is also scalable and can handle hundreds or even thousands of Nodes. Because the network's operation doesn't depend on a central control point, adding multiple Nodes or Network Servers is convenient. Mesh networks are inherently reliable, adapt easily to environmental or architectural constraints, and can scale to handle thousands of Network Node end points.

Strix Systems Access/ One Network

The Access/ One Network from Strix Systems is a highly secure, flexible and scalable networking system that allows a robust and fully functional enterprise network to be formed using an entirely wireless infrastructure.

• Access/ One Network provides Networks Without Wires . from several basic categories of modular building blocks.
• Each building block contains a choice of modules that are individually selected and assembled to form a single network element called a Network Node.
• Each Network Node provides localized connectivity and intelligence with multiple Network Nodes connected in a mesh forming the full Access/ One Network. Access/ One Network provides connectivity for any RF-technology, with the initial offering of 802.11a/ b/ g and Bluetooth.

Easy Installation and Relocation of Nodes

Strix Systems' Access/ One Network enables the unique choice of whether to install Nodes with or without Ethernet cables. Nodes can use Ethernet, or they can uplink to the LAN via 802.11a. Regardless, they still deliver the attributes of a mesh network.

• Whether a wired or wireless network connection is used, Nodes may be moved and relocated without any wiring changes back in the Server room. This flexibility contrasts sharply with the rigidity of WLAN switches and APs.
• With a WLAN switch, since all APs must be plugged into the WLAN switch, any relocation of APs after initial installation may require re-wiring of the APs into the Switch back in the Server room.

What Makes Strix Systems Access/ One Network Different?

Strix Systems offers a total local area network, drawing on the parallels of the successful wired network and providing all of the management and security that network managers have come to expect. Strix Systems provides multiple radio technologies, built into a simple, secure, scalable and self-tuning system, with the ability to easily add new applications and services.

Mesh Topology

Mesh Topology is inherently reliable and redundant, and can be extended to include thousands of devices. The Access/ One Network can be installed in hours instead of days or weeks. The network doesn't require elaborate planning and site mapping to achieve reliable communications.

• The network is self-configuring. Simply moving a Network Node, or dropping another Node into place can fix a weak signal or dead zone.

Strix Systems believes the ultimate direction of computing power is to imitate Grid computing and sensor networks … where intelligence and computing power is distributed and used locally…. yet managed centrally. Although intelligence is distributed, the Access/ One Network Nodes are still managed from one console, so that security parameters, network monitoring and upgrades can be conveniently controlled from one location.

• Enterprises can now benefit from a wireless system that satisfies the multiple conflicting demands of redundancy, distributed communications, flexibility and reliability.