Trapeze enters networking circus

Trapeze Networks and Extreme Networks unveil similar range of wireless products

Extreme Networks has announced a line of wireless products aimed at the enterprise wireless networking market, shortly after start-up Trapeze Networks unveiled a similar range of products.

Both firms have launched devices using the same basic principles: keeping management and access control at a central point, rather than distributing it to access points.

While consumers have been quick to take to 802.11 networking, businesses have been more cautious. Common objections to the standard include management, security and installation.

"We are trying to get away from Cisco's 'IOS in a ceiling tile' approach," said Michelle Rae MacLean, product marketing manager at Trapeze Networks.

The firm intends to sign up systems integrators in the UK. It will face stiff competition from Extreme, which already has an established channel.

"Extreme has been working on this in secrecy for a year," said Martin Van Schooten, Extreme's European marketing director.

"We intend to drive down the complexity of wireless and improve security."

Both vendors offer switching products starting at about £6,500. Access points will be cheaper than standard devices. Trapeze's RingMaster software offers planning as well as management.

Van Schooten added: "We have a good proposition in the wired environment, and it makes sense, if you are running two networks, to avoid having two vendors."

One reseller, who asked not to be named, said: "Cisco has a fat Access Point model. But Extreme and Trapeze go about it the other way, which is a good thing.

"Trapeze is the furthest ahead as a new firm. But Extreme has a lead as an incumbent vendor. This is helpful if you are an Extreme VAR but will present competition for Trapeze resellers."