If you go out looking for information on the costs of Controlled vs Controller-less Wi-Fi, unfortunately, most of the studies out there are years out of date, and based on old technology. In fact, there's relatively little info discussing today's generation of controller-less Wi-Fi systems, and the cost benefits they bring.
With virtualization and true Cloud-based network operating systems, the current crop of controller-less systems remove nearly all the previous stumbling blocks. While there are still specific implementations where hardware-controlled systems are superior, by and large, controller-less WiFi is ready for prime time.
1 – Fewer on-site hardware investments.
It's true that controller-less Access Points (APs) are more expensive than regular APs, but that's because controller-less APs are “smart” systems with significantly more onboard hardware. With modern implementations, such as those on the BlueSocket or Meraki, each AP has literally everything needed to host connections.
Once the network OS is installed, the APs are all that's necessary to keep your network running at that location. The servers could be offsite, or entirely virtualized. Not having to have controllers on-site will, on the final bill, significantly cut your hardware investment.
This also means lower ongoing operating costs as a consequence. Less hardware means lower electrical usage. The more hardware you can virtualize, the more space and energy you save.
2 – Simple expandability.
Here's how you (nearly) double the capabilities of a single-AP BlueSocket network: Buy a second AP and plug it in.
That's the subtle brilliance of a controller-less WiFi network. The amount of hardware “in the way” of the flow of data is absolutely minimized. Since the OS is hosted on the network, it literally only takes a minute or so to register a new AP's serial number. Then its capabilities are added to the networked whole.
You don't have to worry, for example, about a five-figure controller being rendered obsolete by upcoming WiFi standards turning it into a network bottleneck. BlueSocket adapts to get the most performance out of every device, while minimizing the “drag” caused by older hardware.
3 – Cloud-based services are generally cheaper, especially upfront.
While it's hard to generalize software licensing costs, cloud-based services are generally less expensive, and more easily budgeted-for.
Controlled systems rely largely on up-front costs for the hardware and software licenses, making upgrades an extremely steep proposition for a company on a budget. Cloud offerings, on the other hand, are generally licensed on a monthly- or per-user basis, with a lot more options in pricing.
A company can deploy a controller-less WiFi architecture with far fewer up-front costs, making it a more accessible option to growing businesses.
4 – Controller-less requires less pre-planning.
While no network upgrades should be entered into lightly, the flexible nature of controller-less systems makes them easier to embrace. When a network architecture decision carries tens of thousands in upgrade costs with it, long-term planning becomes vital, especially in preventing that investment from being lost.
Because of the decentralized nature of BlueSocket-style WiFi systems, they can simply expand as you need to expand them. Your hardware choice today doesn't have to be dictated by guesses at what you might be doing in five years. Or, at the other extreme, your choices to expand don't have to be limited by your network's inability to handle them.
When you need more coverage, more users, or more throughput, just add more APs as required.
The New Generation Of Controller-Less Makes A Lot Of Sense
Controller-less networks offer substantial price benefits over controlled systems, for most businesses. They're especially well-suited for smaller and growing businesses who are looking to quickly implement a global-ready network that can expand as needed.
Want more information? Hummingbird Networks is here to help. Drop us a line for a free consultation!