FIRETIDE MOBILITY CONTROLLER

The Firetide Mobility Controller is a software platform enabling advanced wireless infrastructure mobility. Working in concert with HotPort mesh nodes and HotView Pro network management software, Firetide Mobility Controller delivers high speed infrastructure mobility and seamless client roaming. With the Firetide Mobility Controller, Ethernet enabled devices such as network video cameras, Wi-Fi access points, RFID readers, and laptop computers maintain network connectivity while traveling at high speeds across multiple HotPort mesh networks and IP domains.

Dynamic Mesh Networking 

Unlike other wireless infrastructures, HotPort mesh networks are dynamic by design, allowing for automatic and instantaneous connection and reconnection of mesh nodes to the network. Firetide’s patented AutoMesh™ routing protocol makes the mesh fully self-forming and self-healing, to afford rapid deployment and dependable operation for both static and mobile mesh infrastructures. In addition to ensuring a reliable, self-configuring and self-healing wireless network, it also provides the added benefit of mobility. A HotPort mesh node instantly associates and re-associates with the mesh network as it travels within range of other static and dynamic mesh nodes.

Mobile Network Infrastructure 

With the Firetide Mobility Controller, Ethernet enabled devices such as network video cameras, Wi-Fi access points, RFID readers, and laptop computers maintain network connectivity while traveling at high speeds across multiple HotPort mesh networks and IP domains. This enables a variety of exciting new applications not possible with static Ethernet networks.

• Continuous video security surveillance for any moving vehicle such as police cruisers, fire trucks, buses, and trains
• Uninterrupted Wi-Fi access on public transportation vehicles for traveling hotspots
• Portable and mobile network services on public transportation, first responder vehicles, fork lifts, and cranes
• Mobile command centers for public safety fi rst responders including police, fire and other emergency personnel

Seamless Wi-Fi Client Roaming 

HotPoint access points ensure secure, fast roaming for any Wi-Fi enabled client device. With the Firetide Mobility Controller, HotPoint APs also provide seamless roaming across multiple subnets and IP domains. This means that you can move around a building, across a campus, or even drive along city streets while maintaining a network connection. You can roam virtually anywhere in range of HotPoint APs while talking on a Wi-Fi phone, without losing your connection — or your conversation.

The Firetide Mobility Controller manages the association of Wi-Fi clients to the HotPoint AP network, providing fast roaming from one AP to another, while maintaining application persistence. Seamless roaming across IP domains is key for applications that require wireless persistence — voice, barcode scanning, PDAs, and notebook computers.

Enhanced Service Provider Functionality

Firetide Mobility Controller provides services for network deployment and control. It extends both mesh and AP functionality to deliver enhanced wireless broadband connectivity.

Automated Deployments — Network deployment is simplified with Auto Provisioning, which pushes virtual AP and VLAN configurations to HotPoint APs. The Firetide Mobility Controller automatically discovers and configures HotPort and HotPoint devices that have been added to the network, eliminating complex pre-configuration by a network administrator — saving time and money.

CPE and Client Control — The Firetide Mobility Controller further strengthens the service provider functions already available with the HotPoint access point. It extends rate limiting from Wi-Fi clients to any HotClient Wi-Fi CPE device. It provides manual HotPoint AP power control to ensure optimal signal strength and coverage for client and CPE connectivity. Connection Admission Control provides per session/per client access control.

Centralized Policy Management — Firetide Mobility Controller pushes user policies to HotPoint APs and enforces these policies as the clients roam across multiple IP domains.

Hardware Independent Architecture

Firetide Mobility Controller is a software module from Firetide that runs on a standard server. This hardware independence provides a scalable, multi-service platform for network growth and investment protection. The Firetide Mobility Controller software module is provided via CD or downloadable from the Firetide support web site, along with installation instructions. The table at right lists the hardware requirements for running Firetide Mobility Controller.