Bluesocket’s BlueSecure Controller (BSC) is aimed at enterprises and service providers looking to roll out 802.11-based enterprise wireless networks to users and customers.

We reviewed a BSC 1100 using Bluesocket’s BlueSecure Access Point (AP) 1500. Following a thorough site survey, set-up proved simple. The controller connects to the LAN through a designated ‘protected’ port, while a switch (through which the APs are routed to the LAN connection) is attached via the ‘managed’ port.

After creating user roles and local users, we set up standard features and services like VPNs and remote managed subnets. The web GUI appeared overly complex at first but became fairly intuitive after a couple of hours of use.

We upgraded the controller firmware and AP firmware from version 5.1 to a beta version of 5.2 – scheduled for final release this month – which took around 30 minutes. Updates in 5.2 include an enhanced secure voice capability that allows users to enable Spectralink, Avaya and Cisco Skinny Client Control Protocol (SCCP) and other H323/session initiation protocol (SIP) and VoIP phones.

One feature that may appeal to service providers is the addition of credit card billing, allowing end-users to authenticate and buy time slots for public hotspots or charged guest access. Additionally, Bluesocket now allows 802.1x authentication against LDAP servers rather than requiring firms to have a Radius server.