Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, June 20, 2002 -- National Datacomm Corporation, one of Taiwan's pioneers in wireless networking, today announced the InstantWave Management System (WMS), an integrated management tool for InstantWave Wireless Networking Solutions. The cost-effective WMS creates a "High-Efficiency WLAN Working Environment" for both IT management specialists and smaller enterprise companies. The WMS will be demonstrated at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) 2002 at McCormic Place, Chicago, from June 25 to June 27.

The InstantWave Management System (WMS) is a powerful tool for setting up, securing, monitoring, and maintaining InstantWave wireless networks. Based on the industry-standard Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), the WMS was designed with the special requirements of wireless networks - and the special advantages of InstantWave wireless products - in mind. Network administrators gain multiple benefits by using the WMS, including--

• Manage an entire InstantWave wireless network from a single location
• Quickly and easily configure and manage InstantWave wireless devices
• Secure an InstantWave wireless network against unauthorized access
• Remotely monitor devices, network status, and performance
• Lower overall network management costs
• Adjust, store, and retrieve device settings, and propagate them to any number of devices

"In most of the corporate world, IT decision makers have realized that using a Wireless LAN solution is the best way to reduce the total cost of ownership of corporate networks", said Changhua Chiang, CEO & president of NDC, "Owning a wireless LAN initially appears more costly for companies; however, by choosing a solution that reduces downtime costs, plus related hardware management and support costs, they will ultimately generate a far quicker return on their network investment".

The concept behind developing the InstantWave Management System for InstantWave wireless networking solutions is to provide a complete WLAN solution that maximizes ROI for enterprises. The cost-effective WMS offers the following features--

• Parameter Management Features
  1. Automatic Discovery: Speedy location and identification of all InstantWave wireless devices, and reports on their status, at the press of a button.
  2. Bulk Configuration: Allows the propagation of operating parameters to any number of designated InstantWave wireless devices. The entire network can be updated in seconds from a single location.
  3. Auto IP Assignments: Keeps the network operating in the event of a DHCP server failure. If the server goes down, InstantWave wireless devices automatically generate new IP addresses in a single private subnet to keep the network functioning.
  4. Host Table Administration: Provides maximum flexibility in massive deployments of InstantWave wireless devices. Relieves administrators of requirements for physical access to devices.
  5. Sorting: Organizes device lists any way an administrator might wish. Lets the administrator zero in on the desired device or domain quickly and easily.
     
     
• Security Features
  1. MAC-based Authentication: Allows or denies access to the network on the basis of identifiers hard-coded into all wireless devices.
  2. SNMP Access Control: Prevents tampering with device settings.
  3. WEP Encryption: Features 40 and 128-bit Wired Equivalent Privacy encryption for secure WLAN data transmissions.
  4. Secure SSID: Lets administrators disable Service Set IP broadcasts so unauthorized clients cannot associate with wireless access points.
  5. User Authentication: Allows password-based authentication without the need for an authentication server.
     
     
• Performance Monitoring Features--
  1. Antenna Alignment Utility: Makes alignment of directional antennas for building-to-building bridges quick and easy.
  2. Protocol Filtering: Saves bandwidth and increases security by ensuring that administrator specified protocols never pass from the wired network to the wireless zone.
  3. Trap Server: Makes it easy for administrators to monitor conditions on the network and take preventive action to avoid network downtime.
  4. Configuration Reports: Device status reports can be generated in a variety of formats. Administrators can choose the format that most effectively boosts their productivity.

  The WMS will be introduced and demonstrated at HITEC 2002, booth No. 1358-1360, at McCormic Place, Chicago, from June 25 to June 27.