vWLC: new virtual wireless access controller

7 November 2024 Introducing vWLC, a new ELTEX software controller for creating scalable Wi-Fi networks and their centralized management. The main purpose of vWLC is to be used in large corporate and provider wireless networks, including wide area networks.

vWLC is a virtual version of the WLC series hardware Wi-Fi controllers, providing the same set of functions and comparable performance.

Wireless infrastructure management

vWLC includes effective tools for managing and configuring Wi-Fi networks, accessible to administrators in a user-friendly web interface or CLI.

Key features:

• configuring Wi-Fi networks (SSID);
• updating access point software;
• monitoring operation of access points;
• collecting statistics.

With the help of the built-in AirTune service, the optimal radio parameters of access points are configured. The service dynamically adjusts the channel selection and transmitter power depending on the network load. The service provides seamless roaming in accordance with IEEE 802.11 k/r/v standards.

A wireless intrusion detection and prevention system WIDS/WIPS can be added under a separate license. It monitors suspicious activity in real time and identifies unauthorized access attempts and attacks.

Support for access points

vWLC supports Wi-Fi 5/Wi-Fi 6 ELTEX access points of the WOP and WEP series. The pre-configured basic setup will help to quickly connect them to the controller and perform the initial network configuration.

The number of access points connected to vWLC depends on the allocated server resources and licenses purchased. This allows you to flexibly scale the network as needed.

Routing

The built–in software router with a wide range of features for handling L2 and L3 traffic is a significant benefit of vWLC. Static and dynamic IPv4/IPv6 routing is supported, including OSPF v.2/v.3, IS-IS, RIP, BGP, VRF, PBR, MPLS protocols.

vWLC can connect access points using both L2 and L3 via routed networks using tunneling, for example GRE. Controlled access points can be located in different subnets or segments of wide area networks.

Network protection and authorization

vWLC provides comprehensive traffic protection.
The built–in firewall detects threats by L2-L4 fields, trust zones and applications. The intrusion detection and prevention system WIDS/WIPS is available under a separate license, as well as a set of Kaspersky SafeStream II rules for rapid response to new and actively used attacks.

Up-to-date authorization and authentication protocols in the WPA2/WPA3 wireless network are supported in Personal and Enterprise versions. vWLC allows you to set up access profiles for different user groups. Integration with external or local RADIUS servers, as well as LDAP directories, expands access control capabilities.

Fault tolerance

For high network availability, vWLC supports a 1+1 (Active-Standby) redundancy scheme. Switching between controllers takes place automatically via VRRP v2/v3 protocols, which ensures the continuity of the wireless network.

vWLC runs on a Linux server via Oracle VirtualBox and VMware ESXI hypervisors. The installation software is available as an ISO image.

To learn more about the product and licenses, please contact ELTEX Sales Department at foreign.sales@eltex-co.ru