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Microsoft Dumps Cisco for WiFi

Posted by Hemos on from the change-in-the-ground-level dept.

A reader writes: "While Cisco is still runs the world of routers, apparently they have ended up on the short end of the stick when it comes to WiFi. Aruba Wireless Networks announced today that Microsoft has selected them over Cisco and would be "integrating Windows wireless clients" software with the Aruba gear. This could impact everyone that uses wireless with Windows. Aruba's Access Points aren't your traditional AP since they offload most of the functionality to a back end controller thus making for very low cost APs. They have even released their AP boot code on Source Forge so that anyone with a controller can convert their APs to Aruba APs. It also should be noted that Cisco, after realizing their wireless equipment wasn't up to par, tried to buy the deal by first by first approaching Aruba and then after being rebuffed bought their competitor Airespace for $450M in desperation and still lost."

4 of 25 comments (clear)

  1. I'd hate to be Airspace... by Saeed+al-Sahaf · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I'd hate to be Airespace, the company Cisco bought in "desperation". Those guys are going to have a lot of corporate support, 'eh? Or maybe just layoffs.

    --
    "Who are in control, they are not in control of anything - they don't even control themselves!" - Glen Beck
  2. WiFi will Kill Cisco by routerwhore · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Cisco will never really be good at wifi since it canabalizes their core business of forcing customers to guy their 6500s every couple of years and put in additional capacity that they don't need. One great example of this is that to have any wireless functionality on a 6500, you must upgrade your supervisor module to the latest Sup 720. With 90% profit margains they are runing a pretty good scam. I imagine it won't last forever. They will have a wake-up call soon much like IBM did.

  3. Re:Just Microsoft IT by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    That is a bit short sighted since their measley "internal WLAN" network is bigger then most WLAN networks in the world. Also, they have been running Cisco since '99, not Aruba. Aruba is only like 3 years old.

  4. Re:Is this really a shock? by routerwhore · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It doesn't work that way with Wifi. It just means that stuff like roaming and QoS over wireless are going to work with Aruba first and the rest of the world will catch up. This has nothing to do with Winmodems (that analogy doesn't even make sense) and 802.11 is still a standard for any platform.