While few may consider "network architecture" a terribly exciting area of discussion, it can have a major impact on both the functionality and the long-term costs of your network. Decisions on whether to use a centralized, "controlled" network structure, or a controllerless system, will ultimately have ramifications for years to come.
At the moment, controller-less WiFi systems aren't well understood by many businesses, especially their ongoing cost benefits. Some people see the relatively higher prices on these access points, without understanding what those larger initial equipment prices are buying.
In truth, a controllerless system is likely to be more affordable from the start, with ongoing cost benefits as long as it's deployed.
Four Areas Where Controller-less WiFi Keeps Saving You Money!
1 - All you need are Access Points.
When implementing a system like the ADTRAN BlueSocket WiFi architecture, the first thing to keep in mind is that the Access Points (APs) are more expensive because they're (nearly) all you need.
A controllerless AP contains a miniature server within it, capable of handling switching, Layer 3-compliant packet routing, and even a full firewall and security protections.
Once you have the network software installed on the virtual LAN (Using VMware and Hyper-V coming in Q4)- - the APs become the network architecture. Everything is controlled through central software configuration, and every AP is simultaneously a mini router, switch, and firewall.
So, for most normal deployments, there is simply no need for additional servers or other costly pieces of centralized equipment.
2 - Quick and easy setup.
One of our favorite aspects to a controllerless deployment is how easy the setup becomes. Once the Bluesocket software is installed on you virtual LAN, expanding your network with more APs becomes a ten-minute process, at most.
All a BlueSocket-style access point requires is to be plugged in, and to have its serial number registered with the Bluesocket software. At that point, it's put onto the network, and it downloads all other settings an security policies directly from the software.
Standard 802.3af Power-over-Ethernet support further simplifies deployment by requiring only one wire, rather than separate Ethernet and power cables.
3 - No-sweat network expansions.
One ongoing cost associated with central network controllers is that they have limits. There will always be an upper limit on how much bandwidth it can handle, or how many simultaneous connections, and other similar restrictions.
In a legacy network, once you grow to have "too many" customers, employees, and guests, your controller will have to be replaced, necessitating another multi-thousand-dollar purchase.
On the other hand, one of the main selling points of a controllerless architecture is that this basically never 
happens. Something like the "Borg" on Star Trek, every new AP becomes part of the collective whole, with its own abilities added to the aggregate.
Or put more simply, if you have one BlueSocket AP and add another, the overall capabilities of the network will (nearly) double to match, within the limits of your bandwidth. Every equipment expansion is self-supporting.
4 - Easily repurpose hardware.
As years go on, hardware depreciates. It's often difficult to leave a piece of equipment in service for more than about five years, before it's simply too old to keep up.
However, this becomes less of an issue with controller-free architectures. The decentralized nature of controllerless APs allow older models to be rapidly shifted to secondary or tertiary roles, with a minimum of reconfiguration.
While that new controllerless AP you're buying today won'tremain a backbone of your network for more than 6-8 years, it can still be moved to a less-critical role and remain in service for years more.
Hardware will unavoidably depreciate, but controllerless systems slow the aging process.
Is It Time For Decentralization?
While there are deployments where centralized networks are better, controllerless systems are beginning to make a lot of sense for a lot of businesses.
If you think your firm could benefit from controller-free Wifi, contact us for more information on the specifics!
