MERU NETWORKS

Wireless LAN Product Portfolio

Powering the all-wireless mobile enterprise
Today your enterprise network has to work
harder than ever before. Users bring their own
devices and expect constant connections to the
information and applications they need to work,
study, and live, wherever they happen to be at the
moment. How do you get more and more mobile
devices on the network? How do you manage that
network effectively, without sacrificing security or
reliability? With the consumerization of IT and the
rise of the cloud, the technology environment can
get out of control. The problems are complex, and
the options seem limited.
Meru changes the game. A Meru Virtualized
WLAN restores your power of control and freedom
of choiceeasily and cost-effectively. Simple to
deploy, manage, and expand, a Meru wireless
network lightens the load on your IT operation.
Merus wireless networks are designed to deliver
the reliability and service quality your users
demand, even when thousands of users are
running iPads, laptops, and other mobile devices.
Even when theyre guests who need secure access
quickly. Even when theyre at home, in a coffee
shop, or on the other side of the world.

Take control. With Meru, its easy.

A Meru Virtualized WLAN is designed to free
you from the limitations of traditional Wi-Fi
networks that let the client control network
access. Because a Meru network isnt based
on a client-controlled architecture, it can
virtualizeand optimizeRF resources.
Continuous RF resource optimization ensures
a rich, interactive user experience, virtually
eliminating the unpredictable performance
of networks that let clients compete for
resources. Because a Meru network can
virtualize RF resources, you gain the flexibility
to choose between single- and multi-channel
deployment.
Merus radio frequency virtualization delivers
plug-and-play deployment, easy capacity
expansion, and seamless mobility.

For more information, visit www.merunetworks.com

MERU SYSTEM DIRECTOR

The operating system that powers the Meru wireless LAN
Running on Meru controllers and access points, the System Director operating
system is designed to deliver superior reliability, scalability, and predictability in your
wireless LAN deployment. You gain the ability to control and direct wireless traffic for
seamless mobility.
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
This fundamental technology governs all traffic on your wireless LAN, managing transmissions that client
devices send and receivenot just the ones they receive, as in a traditional Wi-Fi network. Awareness
of transmissions from both the client device and access point prevents system overload, helps ensure
reliability, and maximizes over-the-air system performance.
AIRTIME FAIRNESS
Govern Wi-Fi network access so that every client gets the same amount of time, delivering consistent
performance for your users. With conventional wireless networks, the speed of the network is
determined by the slowest traffic. Meru allocates time equally among clients, allowing every client device
to get optimal performance based on the speed of its connection.
Blend legacy traffic and mobile trafficwithout bottlenecks
Make the network equally accessible for all devices, whether your users have computers, tablets,
or smartphones
Let bandwidth-hungry applications perform at peak capability, including data, voice, and video
Give your users consistent performance, every time they access the network
Deploy mixed 802.11 a/b/g/n networks in high-density environments
Virtual Cell

System Director is the centerpiece

of the Meru WLAN solutionputting
the network in control to optimize
your wireless network.

THE ADVANTAGE OF
MERU NETWORK IN CONTROL
Reliable
Switch-like wireless
performance
Scalable
Independent channel layering
Predictable
Proactive management,
security, and diagnostics

Traditional MICROCELL

Meru Virtual Cell

Unlike traditional Wi-Fi networks, where client devices chaotically fluctuate between dozens, even
hundreds, of access points, System Director creates a single, seamless Virtual Cell, which means client
devices see one virtualized point of access for the entire networkallowing for non-disruptive roaming
and transparent load balancing. This means that latency-sensitive applications like voice and video
are able to operate flawlessly. This virtualized WLAN architecture effectively manages co-channel
interference and frees you from the often arduous task of channel planning.

CHANNEL LAYERING

Highly SCALABLE

ISOLATE Devices or Apps

With channel layering, System Director provides the flexibility to deploy multiple channel layers that
operate independently in the same area. As you would with stacked Ethernet switches, you can layer
additional channels in the same physical space to increase capacity. Dedicating a specific channel for
specific device types, applications, or users enables you to optimize your wireless deployment.
VIRTUAL PORT
Each device is assigned a dedicated link, or Virtual Port, that it carries throughout the network. Meru
software recognizes specific device needs, even as users roam around the network.

SYSTEM DIRECTOR KEY ADVANTAGES

Making the most of finite RF resources to ensure a rich, interactive
user experience
APPLICATION-AWARE WIRELESS
System Director analyzes traffic passing through the system, identifies different application flows, and
then configures network resources and policies to optimize delivery for every application, providing
reliable quality of service to every user.
MULTILAYERED SECURITY
Every Meru network is defended by wireless intrusion detection and prevention, the latest wireless
link-level security, and comprehensive measures at each protocol layer. System Director also provides a
per-user firewall, enabling customized security rules by user, class of user, or application.
FLEXIBLE NETWORK DEPLOYMENT
System Director allows the Meru Virtualized Wireless LAN to integrate seamlessly into existing enterprise
networks. Meru controllers and access points can be installed virtually anywhere, with communication
between controller and access points at layer 2 or layer 3 to match the design of the wired network. For
branch office networks, data traffic can be tunneled back to a central controller or bridged directly from
the remote location, whichever best suits the needs of the enterprise.
VOICE SERVICES
With System Director, you can add advanced telephony features required by large enterprises that rely
on voice systems using VoIP. System Director supports SIP over TCP and SIP over UDP, which is required
by the latest unified communications platforms. It automatically recognizes and provisions appropriate
over-the-air QoS policies for SIP applications.
VIDEO SERVICES
System Director video services leverage the Meru Virtualized Wireless LAN architecture and incorporate
the mechanisms required to support high-quality video over wireless at scale.

OPTIONAL APPLICATION MODULES

License modules to enhance network capabilities
POLICY ENFORCEMENT MODULE
Our Policy Enforcement module extends wireless security, enabling you to authorize, segregate, and
control all wireless traffic.
REDUNDANCY MODULE
For resilience, our Redundancy module provides high availability at the system level through controller
redundancy. With N+1 redundancy, one controller can act as backup for many, ensuring cost-effective
continuity in case of controller or back-end network failure.

MERU E(z)RF NETWORK MANAGEMENT SUITE

The industrys only proactive diagnostics, operations, and
management system
The Meru E(z)RF network management suite gives you control and single-console visibility over your Meru
wireless LAN. This highly integrated, powerful wireless network management suite helps you proactively
identify and prevent potential issues before they cause problems for your users. It gives you a unified view
of applications, devices, and users, streamlining management with superior ease of use. By focusing on
prediction rather than remediation, you gain the power to assure the highest application performance and an
excellent overall end-user experience. The E(z)RF network management applications can be deployed on a
VMware-based virtual appliance or on a Meru services appliance.
E(z)RF Network Manager is a comprehensive wireless
management and troubleshooting system. It provides network
visualization, configuration, wireless performance dashboards,
and fault-management capabilities through a single interface.
Service Assurance Manager delivers end-to-end service
assurance for the network and its applications. By creating virtual
clients on existing access points, it tests and verifies network
performance without the use of physical clients. You can quickly
identify potential issues, predict problems before they occur, and
take action before users experience any performance impact.

E(z)RF Network Manager is an intelligent and

comprehensive management system for Merus
802.11 networks.

Spectrum Manager detects and classifies sources of wireless

interference to deliver optimal spectrum usage and high service
levels. It lets you use the information captured from the RF
environment to qualify all Wi-Fi channels and quickly remediate
interference issues.
E(z)RF Network Manager shares a common administrator interface
with Meru Service Assurance Manager and Spectrum Manager,
making it easy to navigate between the three applications. It also
integrates with SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor for
unified wired and wireless management.

Spectrum Manager puts you in control of the

wireless spectrum with tools for proactive
spectrum analysis and management.

E(Z)RF NETWORK
MANAGEMENT SUITE KEY
benefits

Identifies and prevents

potential problems
Aids in troubleshooting for
rapid resolution
Accelerates deployment
of new applications
Ensures excellent
application performance
Empowers you to provide
a consistently excellent
end-user experience
Lowers costs by
streamlining operations

MERU IDENTITY MANAGER

Simplify secure guest access and BYOD provisioning for any OS on
any network
IT organizations are struggling to keep up with a flood of new mobile devices requiring network access.
Employees and visitors alike bring their devices to your environment, taking wireless connectivity for
granted. Identity Manager simplifies secure guest access and BYOD for any client on any vendors
network. Optimized for ease-of-use, it dramatically reduces IT workload and delivers a trouble-free enduser experience. Identity Manager is a fully integrated software platform with two modules, which are
accessed from a common user interface:
Guest Connect manages network access for visitors.
Smart Connect manages network access for employee- and company-owned devices.
Identity Manager supports iOS, Android, Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, Linux and
more. It is designed to work flawlessly with access points, controllers, and wired switches from
any vendor. Role- and policy-based provisioning give you control over who and what devices get
access as well as the level of access provided. Delegate guest management to internal sponsors
or allow guests to securely self-provision. Integration with popular payment gateways lets you
accept credit cards for paid access. Empower employees with intuitive self-service capability.
Enterprise-strength encryption and authentication protect the network and sensitive data, while
comprehensive guest activity monitoring ensures appropriate use. Identity Manager can be
deployed on a VMware-ready virtual appliance or on a Meru services appliance. For hospitality
customers, Identity Manager integrates with a broad range of property management systems,
streamlining billing and administration for hotel guest Internet access.

WIRELESS SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE

Meru Networks delivers integrated security management for virtualized
wireless LANs
By combining wireless intrusion prevention with comprehensive monitoring and verification, Meru
Security and Compliance enables you to keep your sensitive data private and secure.
Continually audit your network security posture against best practices and policies
Track separation and apply application-aware policies to each user
Protect data with authentication, authorization control, and encryption
Leverage integration with E(z)RF Network Manager

Secure Connectivity
WPA2, WPA
802.1X, PEAP, LEAP
VPN from remote
offices

Authorization
R
ADIUS
MAC-based
Captive portal

Intrusion Prevention
R
ogue AP detection
and mitigation
Wireless IPS/IDS

User, Device,
Application Security
P
er-user and applicationaware security policies
Policy-based control of devices
Guest lifecycle management
802.1X provisioning for client
devices
PCI compliance

Meru Security and Compliance includes a broad range of features to ensure the security of your wireless network and protect sensitive data.

MERU WIRELESS CONTROLLERS

At the center of the Virtualized Wireless LAN environment
Running System Director, these highly scalable controllers synchronize wireless access points to

BUSINESS-ESSENTIAL
BENEFITS OF MERU
CONTROLLERS

If your organization has adopted server virtualization, Meru WLAN controllers support your broader
virtualization initiative, giving you freedom of choice. You can deploy the Meru 1500, 3200, and 4200
controllers as virtual appliances running on VMware and industry-standard hardware.

Switch-like performance
Ultra-high-density client
support
Multilayered security
Simplied operation with
centralized management
Flexible deployment

MC1500

MC4200

Small enterprises,

Large enterprises,

30 access points
2 x 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ45)

500 access points

4 x 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ45) or
2 x 10-GbE only SFP+ or
2 x 1-GbE/10-GbE SFP+

MC1550

MC5000

Small enterprises,

Headquarters,
large campuses
1,500 access points
4 x 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ45) or
2 x 10/100/1000BASE SFP or
4 x 10/100/1000BASE SFP per blade
Maximum 5 blades per chassis

30 access points
2 x 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ45)

MC3200

MC6000

Mid-size enterprises
200 access points
4 x 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ45)

Headquarters,
large campuses
5,000 access points
6 x 10-GbE only SFP+ or
6 x 1-GbE/10-GbE SFP+ per blade
Maximum 10 blades per chassis

MERU SERVICES APPLIANCES

Meru services appliances provide the hardware platform for running the E(z)RF network management
suite and Identity Manager.

SA200

SA2000

Designed for small

enterprises
Supports up to 10 controllers

Designed for medium

to large enterprises
Supports up to 250 controllers

MERU WIRELESS ACCESS POINTS

The virtual network edgebuilt for mobility
Meru wireless access points are designed to deliver optimal application delivery and the highest WLAN
performance. No channel planning. No power adjustment. Just install Meru Access Points, and theyll
automatically receive configurations from the Meru Controller. Multiple operating modes give you the
flexibility to design a wireless network suited to your specific needs.

AP110

AP332

Virtual office access point

Designed for home office
Single-radio 802.11b/g/n
Client Ethernet port

Dual-radio, three-stream
802.11a/b/g/n access point
Internal or external antennas
High-performance wireless connectivity
for high-density environments

AP1014i
Designed for in-room
access in hotels and
dormitories
Single-radio 802.11b/g/n
Four client Ethernet ports

AP433
Three-radio, threestream 802.11a/b/g/n
High-performance
wireless connectivity
Internal or external antennas
Optional integrated spectrum analysis

AP1010 and AP1020

Single- or dual-radio
802.11a/b/g/n
General purpose wireless
connectivity
Internal or external
antennas

OAP380

AP320

OAP433e

Dual-radio, dual-stream
802.11a/b/g/n
Internal or external antennas
High-performance wireless
connectivity

Three-stream,
three-radio 802.11a/b/g/n
Outdoor access point
Rugged design for harsh
environmental conditions

Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n
Support for outdoor mesh
Rugged design for harsh
environmental conditions

THE MERU ACCESS POINT

ADVANTAGE

Plug-and-play
deployment with easy
capacity expansion
No complex channel
planning required
Multiple operating modes
Seamless mobility
Superior reliability and
performance

MERU SERVICES AND SUPPORT

Expertly delivered services and support increase the value of your
technology investment
MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Meru offers a comprehensive range of MeruAssure support services to help you get the most out
of your Meru investment. We can support your product after the sale with 24x7 technical support,
advance hardware replacement, software bug fixes, and feature updates. For organizations that
require always-on, always-working wireless delivery, MeruAssure Premium Services enable you to
operate at peak performance with confidence. Three different premium service levels are offered,
depending on your support needs: Enhanced, Business-critical, and Mission-critical.
MeruAssure
Advance hardware replacement
Prepaid hardware return shipping
Technical support
Software maintenance and feature releases
Extended hardware warranty
Web support portal and knowledge base

MeruAssure Premium Services

Onsite system audits and network assessments
Network assessment reports
Onsite network performance tune-ups
Service account management
Direct tier-2 support engineer access
(Business-critical and Mission-critical)
A dedicated onsite support engineer
(Mission-critical)

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Meru offers education and training to both our customers and our partners. Instruction is available in
recorded online courses, instructor-led online courses, and formal classroom sessions.
Course content created and delivered by experts in Meru technology
Easy online registration
Choice of online or traditional classroom instruction
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
From planning through ongoing operation, let us help you get a quick and satisfactory return on your
investment. Available directly from Meru or from authorized partners, our solution-focused services are
aimed at making your experience with Meru products as convenient and rewarding as possible.
Let our product experts help you custom-design your network
Take advantage of Meru configuration best practices
Learn from the experience our service professionals have gained deploying business-critical
wireless networks in all kinds of industries

Meru delivers an all-wireless network that fully supports the enterprise, delivering a consistent,
interactive experience for all users. No matter what applications they are running. No matter how
many other users are on the network.
For more information, visit www.merunetworks.com or email your questions to: info@merunetworks.com
Meru Networks | Copyright 2012 Meru Networks, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Meru Networks is a registered trademark of Meru Networks, Inc. All other
trademarks, trade names, or service marks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. Meru Networks assumes no responsibility for any
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