Cranite Software Suite
The Cranite software was relatively easy to installâ€"it took around 30 to 45 mins. However you need to provide two servers, one to act as a policy server and the other as an access controller. The policy server must have Microsoft Windows 2000 Server with Internet Information Server (IIS) and Internet Access Server (IAS) installed and running. Also the policy server must be a member of the domain or Active Directory if you are using a separate domain controller or Active Directories on your LAN. Alternatively you can also install Active Directory Services on your policy server to function as a standalone directory. Cranite also recommends running RADIUS software if required on the same Windows 2000 server.
The required access controller server hardware is described by Cranite as being a blank generic hardware plat-form; note that two 100Mb NICs need to be installedâ€"one to provide the link to your LAN the other to your WLAN. It is installed via two CDs and installs and runs a modified version of Linux Red Hat.
| Could end up costing a bit for hardware maintenance and support. |
As for the configuration of the access controller software one of the more annoying points is that you need to grant your access controller server Internet access while configuring the software simply so that it can attach to Cranite's licensing server and verify the correct license information has been supplied to you.
According to the documentation, there is a way Cranite can manually issue you with valid licensing in case you are in an organisation that does not have LAN access to the Internet. They should make this manual licensing applicable for all users or at least make the policy server responsible for completing the registration as this is the server that is more likely to have a valid Internet connection.
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Worry-free wireless
Introduction 1. 3Com Wireless Lan AP 8000 2. Bluesocket WG-1000 3. Cranite Software Suite 4. D-Link AirPlus DI-614+ 5. Netgear FVM 318 Specifications Editor's choice About RMIT |
Issues to consider: Security and administration issues may increase depending on security of underlying server hardware and software (ie, Win 2K server and Linux Redhat). Also, due to the nature of the hardware, it would require more routine maintenance over some of the other products. Providing your client hardware is running Microsoft Windows 98, ME, 2000, or XP you are fine; however, if you have PDAs with wireless cards or are running Mac or Linux OSes then you may run into difficulties.
Best suited for: A mid- to large-sized organisation with existing reliance and preference for Windows 2000 servers and Windows-based clients.
| Product: | Cranite Software Suite |
| Price: | US$5000 (25-user licence); US$7500 (50-user liecence) |
| Vendor: | Cranite Systems |
| Phone: | +1 408 360 4900 |
| Web: | www.cranite.com |
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| Interoperability: |
½Ability to choose your own hardware platforms may be a great incentive. |
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| Futureproofing: |
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Allows full future expansion and even replacement of company WLAN APs and equipment. |
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| ROI: |
Could end up costing a bit for hardware maintenance and support. |
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| Service: | N/A |
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| Rating: |
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