SIEMENS
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Siemens IK PI · 2015
Industrial Wireless Communication
IWLAN – Controller and Controller Access Points IEEE 802.11n
Overview
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Overview
The network infrastructures in the industrial and office areas are
coming ever-closer together. This applies also in the area of
wireless communication, causing a constant increase in the
number of access points and WLAN clients to be managed.
If such networks are established with a large number of stand-
alone access points, with each one having to be configured
separately, this results in huge costs for initial configuration and
operation.
Central wireless LAN controllers enable low-cost, user-friendly
and secure operation of large WLAN infrastructures here.
Management of the WLAN clients connected to such WLANs is
significantly simplified thanks to their division into user groups
with different security policies.
The SCALANCE WLC711 IWLAN Controller is a device for
centralized management (configuration, diagnostics, firmware
updates, access control, security settings, coordination) of a
wireless LAN in the industrial environment.
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Fast establishment of a new WLAN or expansion of an existing
WLAN with the help of the SCALANCE W786C and
SCALANCE W788C controller-based access points
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Parallel operation of different services (e.g. communication
between programmable controllers, Internet access,
Voice-over-IP telephony and video transmission) on the same
controller-based WLAN infrastructure without requiring
additional SSIDs for this purpose.
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Seamless transition between production WLAN and corporate
WLAN
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Simplified commissioning as well as increased reliability and
security thanks to the central management functions of the
IWLAN controller in comparison to a WLAN comprising stand-
alone access points that have to be configured individually
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Benefits
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Reduced commissioning overhead and operation of larger
IWLAN installations (up to 48 access points or 96 access
points in redundant mode) thanks to configuring from a central
location
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Investment protection thanks to seamless integration into
existing IWLAN installations or into an existing corporate
WLAN
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Saving on redundant infrastructures (e.g. separate network for
Internet access and voice transmission) thanks to multiple use
of the same infrastructure for different services
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Avoidance of a single point of failure thanks to optional parallel
operation of two controllers; the WLAN remains functional
even if the controller(s) fail(s)
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Increased reliability when operating the IWLAN through
complete, coordinated portfolio of IWLAN Controller
SCALANCE WLC711, industrial access points and
SCALANCE W client modules, as well as the suitable acces-
sories (antennas, connecting cables, power supplies)
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Flexible configuration of networks thanks to the use of an
integrated wireless mesh solution
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Dynamic Radio Management supports the optimal alignment
of the entire WLAN network
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In the controller-based WLAN, the bandwidth or the
assignment of the access points can be automatically
influenced by the IWLAN Controller SCALANCE WLC711
depending on the requirements. This ensures optimal
utilization of the WLAN by the IWLAN client modules.
© Siemens AG 2014