RUCKUS ZoneDirector 3000
Enterprise-Class Smart Wireless LAN Controller

Benefits:

• Unmatched scalability
  Supporting up to 500 APs and 32 WLANs per device, the ZoneDirector 3000 can easily serve the largest campus deployments
• IT lite deployment in 5 minutes, simple to use and manage
  Web-based confi guration wizard configures an entire WLAN in minutes. ZoneFlex APs auto-discover the ZoneDirector. Centralized management and automatic, real-time optimization of entire WLAN
• Advanced WLAN features and functions
  Advanced wireless networking features include rogue AP detection, intererence detection, band steering, airtime fairness, role-based user policies, rate-limiting, hotspot and guest networking services
• Smart Mesh Networking streamlines costly and complex deployment
  Integrated RUCKUS Smart Mesh Networking technology automates deployment, eliminates the need to run Ethernet cable to every Smart Wi-Fi access point. Adaptable architecture with Hybrid Mesh extends the wireless network through Ethernet-connected APs, increasing system performance through better spatial reuse
• Automatic user security
  Dynamic PSK eliminates the requirement to configure and update individual PC client devices with unique encryption keys. Dynamic VLAN assignment seamlessly extends existing security policies to the WLAN
• Easy monitoring and troubleshooting
  Customizable dashboard provides comprehensive at-a-glance network snapshot and allows drill down to troubleshoot wireless problems
• Distributed forwarding architecture
  Maximizes data throughput by sending all data traffi c directly from the access points to the wired network
• Flexible deployment options
  The ZoneDirector interacts with existing network and security infrastructure and provides dynamic RF management across APs to eliminate AP placement issues
• Complete integration
  Combines network management, dynamic RF management, location management and AP control within a low-cost solution

Simple to Deploy

The RUCKUS ZoneDirector integrates seamlessly with existing switches, firewalls, authentication servers and other network infrastructure. The ZoneDirector can be placed within any Layer 2/3 network. All RUCKUS ZoneFlex APs (wired or meshed) then automatically discover the RUCKUS ZoneDirector, self configure and become instantly manageable. RUCKUS Smart Redundancy ensures high network availability and is easy to use with automatic synchronization of configuration and authorized users between ZoneDirectors.

Simple to Manage

Once up and running the ZoneDirector automatically manages the ZoneFlex network of APs — automatically adjusting transmit power levels and RF channel assignments as needed, to avoid interference, prevent adjacent APs from interfering and enable redundant coverage in the event of an AP failure. Configuration changes can easily be applied to multiple APs, or the entire system, simultaneously. A customizable dashboard provides instant access to a variety of client and network information and events, and a real-time heat map displays AP locations and signal coverage, as well as your RUCKUS

ZoneDirector Smart WLAN systems integrate a unique performance utility from RUCKUS called SpeedFlex™. RUCKUS SpeedFlex allows administrators to locally or remotely determine client Wi-Fi performance over the wireless LAN. With SpeedFlex, administrators can now better plan, troubleshoot, monitor and measure WLAN performance, eliminating the need to use Internet-based speed tools that often provide inaccurate results of the local

The ZoneDirector 3000 provides a detail map view that lets administrators quickly see the Wi-Fi network topology for all ZoneFlex Smart Wi-Fi access points.

Simple to Secure

The ZoneDirector 3000 provides innovative new techniques that simplify and automate Wi-Fi security. In addition to enterprise-class 802.1X support and dynamic VLAN assignment capabilities, the ZoneDirector 3000 supports a patented Dynamic Pre-Shared Key (PSK) capability that streamlines WLAN security.

First-time users plug their computers into the LAN and specify a URL that directs them to a captive web portal for a one-time authentication. After successful authentication, the ZoneDirector automatically configures the client system with the designated SSID and a dynamically-generated encryption key. The key is bound to the client, and can be removed upon expiration when the user or the user's device is no longer trusted.

The ZoneDirector 3000 centralizes authentication and authorization decisions for all APs, providing secure admission control across the WLAN. It works with any backend authentication database such as RADIUS and ActiveDirectory and also comes with an internal authentication database. Additionally, clients can be dynamically assigned to a VLAN based on their

Avoid Interference, Maximize Performance and Extend Reach with Network BeamFlex

RUCKUS BeamFlex™, a patented Wi-Fi beam-steering technology, ensures predictable performance for multimedia traffic applications and extended range to eliminate Wi-Fi deadspots. With ZoneDirector, the value of BeamFlex is extended beyond a single access point to the system-wide WLAN and smart Wi-Fi meshing.

The ZoneDirector automatically controls the channel assignments and transmit power of all ZoneFlex Smart Wi-Fi APs. And with BeamFlex, the ZoneFlex system continuously picks the best path for every packet, to both clients outside the network and mesh APs inside the network, automatically avoiding interference, to guarantee the highest quality of service.

SmartMesh Increases Flexibility, Reduces Costs

RUCKUS Smart Mesh Networking enables self-organizing and selfhealing WLAN deployment. It eliminates the need to run Ethernet cables to every AP, allowing administrators to simply plug in ZoneFlex APs to any power source and walk away. All confi guration and management is delivered through the ZoneDirector Smart WLAN controller. APs can also be daisy-chained to mesh APs to extend the mesh and take advantage of spatial reuse. Smart meshing uses patented Smart Wi-Fi technology to extend range and control Wi-Fi signals to minimize inter-nodal hops that degrade performance and automatically adapt Wi-Fi connections between nodes to maintain ultra high reliability.

SpeedFlex™ is a unique wireless performance test tool integrated within the ZoneFlex™ family of centralized controllers that measures the Wi-Fi throughput of associated wireless LAN clients.

Features:

Smart/OS Software Suite and Application Engine

• Provides WLAN-wide network, security, RF, and location management.
• SmartMesh wireless meshing automates deployment, eliminates the need to run Ethernet cable to every Smart Wi-Fi access point
• Adaptable Hybrid SmartMesh extends the wireless network through Ethernet-connected APs
• Elegant guest networking without the hassle
• Dynamically-generated Pre-Shared Keys (PSK) that are automatically installed on clients
• Support for 802.1x, LDAP (captive portal), native Active Directory, and RADIUS authentication with dynamic VLAN assignment
• Multi-site authentication to scale large deployments
• Automatic traffic redirection using WISPr for multi-site authentication for large-scale deployments
• Minimizes erratic Wi-Fi behavior, enabling uninterrupted voice calls, through the use of Layer 3 tunneling and using key caching techniques when roaming
• Bandsteering, load balancing, and airtime fairness to optimize Wi-Fi spectrum
• Users access policies provide rich WLAN control
• Traffic thresholds for users on a specific SSID to ensure fairness
• Maximizes data throughput by sending all data traffic directly from the access points to the wired network
• Aeroscout location services support

Easy to Deploy and Manage

• Seamless integration with existing switches, firewalls, authentication servers and other network infrastructure
• Can be placed within any Layer 2/3 network
• Automatically discovers and configures ZoneFlex APs
• Automatically adjusts AP transmit power levels and RF channel assignments to avoid interference and enable redundant coverage
• Dynamic RF controls over transmit power and channel assignments
• Supports 32 unique WLANs mapped to specific APs or VLANs
• Installs in minutes with intuitive web-based wizard
• Customizable dashboard provides instant access to a variety of client and network information and events
• Real-time heat map displays AP locations and signal coverage, and Smart Mesh Networking topology
• SpeedFlex allows administrators to locally or remotely determine client Wi-Fi performance

Outstanding Price/Performance

• Unmatched total cost of ownership
• Provides features not found in costlier WLAN systems
• Requires little IT time

*For ZoneFlex 7962, 7762 and 7363 dual-band access points

Deployment:

ZoneFlex Architecture

Specifications:

Compare:

	RUCKUS Unleashed	ZoneDirector 1200	ZoneDirector 3000	ZoneDirector 5000	SmartZone 100	vSmartZone E	vSmartZone H
	Controllerless	ZoneDirector Platform			SmartZone Platform
Access points per Appliance	1-25	5–75	25–500	100–1,000	1–1,024	1–1,024	1–10,000
Access points with Clusters	HA*	HA*	HA*	HA*	1–3,000	1–3,000	1–30,000
Platform	Controllerless	Appliance	Appliance	Appliance	Appliance	Virtual Machine	Virtual Machine
Site	Single	Single	Single	Single	Multi-Site	Multi-Site	Multi Site / Tenant

* High availability (HA) with redundant controller support

Documentation:

Download the RUCKUS ZoneDirector 3000 Datasheet (PDF).