Versa Technology is pleased to announce that we will be reselling the ValuePoint NC-3500 Gateway. The ValuePoint NC-3500 is one of the leading gateways deployed in Hotspots across the country. From hotels to coffee shops the NC-3500 gateway takes care of all needs. It is one of the most robust gateways available on the market today. It features everything from Device Monitoring to a Walled Guard and Hilton Authentication.

We are really proud to bring you this hotspot gateway, because on top of all the other top quality products Network Engineers and Consultants get, now they can get the gateway as well from us. This makes us the one stop shop for everything you need for HSIA installations. Want to be able to put 400mw VX-AP400Pro high power wireless access points in your Hotspot and be able to monitor status. This is not a problem with the advanced device monitoring the NC-3500 has. You don’t need to stress over how to set up a Mikrotik or learn Linux to be able to do so, but through a super easy web interface you can configure or have us pre-configure for you and presto you are ready to go. Gone are the days where setting up a gateway required enough knowhow to launch a rocket to the moon. The Valuepoint NC-3500 was developed with the intent to help provide a gateway that is both easy to use, manage and yet provide the full range of services that most MDU/MTU, hotel and motel chains require.

The NC-3500 ValuePoint Gateway meets hotel and motel brand compliance as seen here .

ValuePoint Networks' 3500 Gateway Controller provides high performance, authenticated, and seamless broadband connectivity to Public Access venues such as Hotels, Airports, Marinas, and Multi-tenant properties, The 3500 Controller will automatically adjust to almost any foreseeable subscriber configuration and adapt to support that subscriber automatically and transparently. Subscriber access can be authenticated via Local User Database or RADIUS Authentication. Web browsing, VPN, and Email are automatically configured and supported by the gateway as well.

The NC-3500 ValuePoint Gateway has a powerful IXP 425/533 MHz CPU supporting 65 Mbps of throughput and 200 concurrent users. User-based & Global Bandwidth limiting with independent upload/download speeds as well as Session limiting prevents file sharers, PTP users and other network "hogs" from congesting or bringing down the network. Multiple NC-3500's can be stacked in a load sharing group to support 400 or more users.  In addition multiple WAN ports can be shared with failover services activated. Ideal for replacing aging gateways from Zyxel, IP3 gateways and even Cisco at only a third or a fifth of the price. Talk to a Versa rep today and see what services we can provide.

Hardware

-1 10Base 802.3 / 100BaseT WAN port
-4 10Base 802.3 / 100BaseT LAN ports
19" 1U rack mount
12 x 7 x 2 In. / 5 Lbs.

Performance

gateway controller
200 or 400 concurrent users -- Two NC-3500s can be stacked to support 400 concurrent users
2000 Local User Database
65 Mbps maximum throughput

User Authentication and Accounting

RADIUS-based authentication
-Funk Steel Belted Radius
-Free Radius
-Alepo
`Captive Portal` Login Page Redirection
Local Branded Terms of Service
Advanced Local Authentication
-User-accounts locked to MAC
-Subscriber pass-through after single login
-Detailed user statistics
Patent-Pending Cafe Account: Time and MAC limited free access
XML/SOAP OSS and Billing Provider Support
-Hampton Inn HSIA
-Authdirect (ICOA) Tollbooth
-DataValet
-Logisense
-Thinwires
-V-Link
-Wandering Wi-Fi
White List: IP and MAC Pass-through
Blacklist: MAC Blocking
Property Management (PMS) System Interface
-Compatible with Comtrol interface which includes 69 PMS
-Compatible with MICROS(TM) Opera/Fidelio

Networking

Auto IP: Supports any static IP configuration
Multiple VPN Support
Auto-Proxy supports any browser HTTP proxy
SMTP redirection supports most email configurations
TCP/IP Router
Dynamic DNS Support: dyndns.org
NAT
PPTP, IPSec, L2TP pass-through
DHCP Client, Server
PPPoE
PER User AND GLOBAL Bandwidth Limiting
Session Limiting
Vlan

Security

Secure HTML Login Page (SSL)
Real-time session list
Remote Management filtering
gre tunneling

Management

Web-based Management via SSL
Sophisticated Syslog Logging
Backup, Import, and Export Configuration and Local User Database
Safe remote firmware upgrade from the NOC reduces site visits

Local Services and Branding

Walled Garden
Portal Page
One time or Time based Advertisement URLs
Standard or Customized Login, Welcome and Logout Pages

Certification and Approval

CE Mark
VCCI Class B
UL

Warranty

One year parts and labor

First thing you should do is set up all of the basic settings you will need to on the Versa Technology VX-AP400 400mw wireless access point you will be WDS Bridging. This includes things like Country, IP Address and any other things like VLAN. Notice that each device should be set up as its own device on the network. Separate SSID, and IP address are fine.

(Note: if you set up WPA or WEP it will need to be the same on both.)

Next you should go to Basic settings where you will actually be setting up the WDS.

If you have 2 VX-AP400 Versa Technology access points, Access Point A and Access Point B. You need to login to Access Point A and go through and select Access Point mode, followed by selecting WDS Point to Point Bridge under the Bridge Mode option.

Now you need to insert the MAC Address of the VX-AP400 400mw Versa Technology access point B and select which channel you would like them to be on. Channel 1 or Channel 6 usually is the best to go with.

After you do this you will need to repeat the steps above on Access Point B putting the MAC address of access point A in.

Make sure you do not have both of them connected to the network VIA wired connection after you complete this and reboot. This will loop the network.

Please visit our web site for full range of wireless access point products we offer.

If you have any more questions feel free to contact support@versatek.com or visit www.versatek.com for more information.

Versa Technology, industry PoE Injector

One of the many things Versa Technology does great, is make Power over Ethernet (PoE 802.3af) injectors and switches. We have a wide range of Power over Ethernet Switches and Injectors from Switches that have 4 Ports PoE to switches that have 24 ports, and also single port Power over Ethernet Injector.

What is 802.3af Power over Ethernet?

Power over Ethernet or PoE technology describes the transfer of electrical power, along with data, to remote devices over standard twisted-pair cable in an Ethernet network. This technology is useful for powering IP telephones, wireless LAN access points, network cameras, remote network switches, embedded computers, and other appliances where it would be inconvenient, or infeasible to supply power separately.

Injectors

Versa Technology has one of the most reliable and cost effective Power over Ethernet injectors in the market. Starting at 20.99 and going down as quantity goes up, the VX-PI100 is one of the most widely used Power over Ethernet injectors in North America today. Some customers just buy one or two PoE Injectors to power a couple of Power over Ethernet phones. To people who buy them buy the 100s to do large Wi-Fi Deployments when they already have managed switches present and just to use the Power over Ethernet to get the job done.

Switches

Versa Technology also makes some of the best Power over Ethernet switches available on the market. Our switches offer anything from 10/100 to full on GigE. We also offer Web based management for our Power over Ethernet switches that also come with 802.1q, Port based VLAN, 802.1p, QoS, the ability to reboot devices remotely, and other features we determine to be a must have. We have many different flavors of ports too. The VX-SWP 804 has 8 Ports/4ports Power over Ethernet. The VX-SWP1608 has 16 Ports/8 ports Power over Ethernet. The VX-SWP2612 has 24 Ports/2 GigE Uplinks/12 Ports Power over Ethernet and we also offer many more switches available upon request too.

Access Points

Versa Technology also offers Power over Ethernet Access Points. We have the VX-AP250 which is a fully managed 200mw AP that can do Mutli-SSID, 802.1q VLAN, Client Separation, Wireless Distribution System, and much more. The VX-AP400Pro offers all of the same plus more manageability and 400mw radio to go with its Power over Ethernet Capabilities. Also we have the BW-225 which has even more manageability and has been used to deploy Wi-Fi throughout whole cities. It is even ruggedized and comes with an outdoor Cat5e Cable for when deploying it with Power over Ethernet.

If you are traveling on business and want to stay in a nicer hotel but do not want the added cost of 12.95 a day for Wi-Fi you might have a hard time picking a hotel to stay at. Every hotel chain is different depending on the brand under the main company. For example, Hilton Garden Inn is free while regular Hiltons charge. Also if you stay at the same Hotel chain you will build points and get free stays so you often want to stick with one major “Brand”

For Starwood, Four Points by Sheraton offers high speed internet for free but none of the rest offer free HSIA. The ones that charge include St. Regis, W Hotels, Westin, Sheraton, Luxury Collection and Le Meridien.

Marriott on the other hand offers free HSIA at five of its 8 brands. Free HSIA can be found at the Residence Inn, Courtyard, Springhill Suites, Towne place and Fairfield Inn. The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott and Marriott all charge a premium per day though.

Hilton on the other hand tends to go more towards a pay model in all of its brands other than Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, and Hampton Inn. Hilton, Conrad, Waldorf-Astorias, Embassy Suites and Double tree all go the pay route.

InterContinental Hotel Group mostly offers free Wi-Fi in all of its hotels. Holiday Inn, Hotel Indigo, Staybridge Suites, and Candlewood Suites all offer free HSIA. Only Intercontinental and Crown Plaza will charge for IGH.

Hyatt is the best at offering free HSIA among its different hotel chains. Andaz, Hyatt Place, Amerisuites, Hawthorn Suites, and Springfield Suites all offer free HSIA while only Hyatt and Park Hyatt charge, mostly because their competitors get away with charging.

As you can see if you want to stay in business class hotel for a budget and not pay high fees for HSIA it is possible, you just have to stay within guidelines.

When installing wireless networks with wireless router or wireless access point we often need more than just the basic tools provided to correctly deploy 802.11ABGN networks. Depending on what operating system you are here are some great ones.

Inssider – developed by MetaGeek, runs on all versions of windows and provides great feedback. Easy to hook up with any of the Wi-Spy gear that they sell for Site surveys not only on Wireless Access Points but also anything operating in the ABGN range. (Depending on what Wi-Spy device you purchase.)

Netstumbler – The original and an old standby. This has been around since wireless first started to become popular. It will give lots of great information like SNR and Signal Strength reading in decibels. It is great for Windows XP but support for Windows Vista.

Vistumbler – Vistumbler is the Windows Vista version of Netstumbler. Works with live Google earth tracking when hooked up to GPS.

KisMAC- KisMAC is an open source and free stumbler/scanner application for Mac OS X. It has an advantage over MacStumbler/iStumbler/NetStumbler in that it uses monitor mode and passive scanning.

MacStumbler - Utility to gather and display information about nearby 802.11b/g wireless networks and access points for Mac.

The VX-AP400Pro Provides Increased Radio Power to Penetrate Even the Thickest Walls, While Keeping Cost at a Minimum.

Versa Technology (www.versatek.com), a technology leader in high speed internet access solutions, introduced the VX-AP400Pro, an industrial strength wireless access point, today. The VX-AP400Pro is the world’s first low power 802.3af 400Mw High Power Wireless Access Point. The VX-AP400Pro takes up almost half as much power over the same distance compared to similar models over similar distances. This allows for better use with many different 802.3af switches, so it can easily be adapted to all environments.

The VX-AP400Pro 400Mw 802.11G wireless access point also supports Radius Accounting so hotspots can easily bet set with minimum configuration. The VX-AP400Pro also allows 802.11Q VLAN tagging with up to 16 Multiple SSID to allow complete flexibility when deploying large wireless environments. This way Employees, Customers and anyone else you can think of can safely and securely connect to the network they need to.

The one great advantage of the VX-AP400Pro is that it uses almost the same power as similar wireless access points of half the power. This way when network professionals are building large deployments, they won’t be hampered with the limits of the existing POE switches. Many 400Mw or greater access points require 802.3af PoE Injectors only. The VX-AP400Pro wireless access point allows for networks showing weak signal strength to quickly and easily retro fit the network to allow much more coverage with minimal cost.

“One thing customers always bring up is the bunkers they experience in hurricane susceptible areas, Normal 802.11G Wireless Access Points just don’t penetrate at the same rate as they would in normal buildings. They need a solution that can still reach the customers without increasing cost,” Said Shaw Tien, COO of Versa Technology. “Installers are often putting up their own money to provide internet access in order to get a return later, and being able to cost effectively expand networks. “

When asked about the VX-AP400Pro Wireless Access Point, John McKinney, a network consultant had this to say “One nice thing about the VX-AP400Pro Wireless Access Point is much it will cut down on equipment used within the network. When you are eliminating Injectors and excessive access points you are eliminating things that could cause problems later on. With networks simplicity is king.”

The VX-AP400Pro Wireless Access Point also supports point-to-point, point-to-multipoint Bridge for data transfer between two or more buildings using WDS (Wireless Distribution System). It also supports WPA2/WPA/IEEE 802.1x, Hidden SSID, Mac address filtering in AP Mode IP/MAC and Wireless Separation.

About Versa Technology

Versa Technology, located in Chino, California, is a company that provides both fiber and copper for last mile solution. With worldwide offices in Korea, China and the United States, Versa Technology has taken advantage of the global marketplace to grow at an amazing pace. Versa Technology provides a wide range of copper solutions, giving service providers the choice of ADSL2+, VDSL and VDSL2. Versa Technology also provides FTTH Solutions to providers looking to deploy next generation fiber optic networks. Versa Technology is one of the few companies in the world that can provide the complete last mile solution.

Versa Technology at TelcoTV

Versa Technology was at TelcoTV in November and had a great time. It's one of our favorite conferences because of all the innovative technologies everyone is debuting. A lot of things at TelcoTV will be implemented in our very own homes within months and some of the real cool stuff is only a couple years out. Companies like Amino, Thomson and Minerva are doing great things.

TelcoTV also provides some great learning tools. One of the best ones for customer of Versa Technology was the track for the Independent View. This provided a lot of great insight into the independent Telco market and how these companies can push forward and compete with larger carriers and provide HDTV to the customer.

Versa Technology showed off many new things at TelcoTV including a new VDSL2 DSLAM that works anywhere you could imagine outdoors, from the sewers to the telephone pole. The VX-OD3024 is a waterproof hardened VDSL2 DSLAM that comes with an optional Battery Backup that can be mounted on the telephone pole very easily. Not only can it go underground because the waterproof casing, it is also light enough to hang from power lines. It allows carriers to an extremely versatile for the end user.

Versa Technology also launched the VX-HG166, the only North America VDSL2 Gateway. It has six ports, four for IPTV and two for computers connected to it or a VOIP solution. It is the only VDSL2 gateway that can do IGMP Snooping and allows full bandwidth control including 802.1p QoS across all ports and 802.1q VLAN so that the HD IPTV service will not be interrupted.

Overall a GREAT experience and we will surely be in 2009!

An old customer of ours had quite a problem, they had several PC’s they needed attached to the local Intranet but the PC’s were located slightly over 1KM away from the central switch. Why would they have a several PC’s that far away from the central switch? Well they own a 54 hold golf resort and have snack stands located throughout the course. While lots of golfers certainly carry cash on them a handful only have credit card, or prefer credit card because it’s easier to expense. So the golf course needed a way to connect back to the central Point of Sale system with nothing more than twisted pair copper ran to each location.

The first quote they go was to run fiber to each location which would have cost nearly $15,000 dollars. While the resort could certainly afford the fees it was hardly worthy investment. So they called us seeing if we had any sort of solution that would have allowed them too easily and cost effectively fix the solution. We weren’t quite sure what the distances were so we had to go out and use a Black Box device to measure. Once we did we realized it well within the range of the VX-VEB160R2 and we can still push over 40Mb of total bandwidth to these locations using the VX-VEB60R2.

 We extended the resort a 30 day trial to use the product and make sure it worked properly and within a week they had not only bought that pair but had bought 4 more pair and were looking for other innovative ways to use this that even included putting security cameras in remote spots, turning other areas into easily accessible vending areas and providing WiFi for iPhones and Blackberry’s at the driving range for customers needing to answer email and send files. They managed to save nearly $14,000 while still providing a great service to the customers. One they will see an ROI on.

For Further Information on the VX-VEB165 contact info@versatek.com.

Deploying an Outdoor Wi-Fi Network.

While most of our customers are extremely well versed in deploying indoor WLAN networks, we still get a TON of questions on how to deploy an outdoor WLAN network. While some of semantics are the same (Using PoE when you can, Using NetStumbler to get a correct signal reading, etc.). Sometimes though, it’s just not that easy, distance limitations’ on how far Cat 5 can go, really hurt.

You cannot just put an Access Point every 100 Meters outdoors (distance limitation of CAT5E). If you do it becomes counter redundant. You then have too much signal and the access points begin to interfere with each other. The best solution is to use WDS (Wireless Distribution System). This way you can adequately separate each WAP (Wireless Access Point) from the next for the best performance while maintain stability. This dedicates each access point to stay connected with another access point, which is better than just standard Mesh which is often hit or miss.

Start by finding the nearest place you can install a POE Injector then run a CAT5E cable from there to where you want the WAP in order power it. Make sure the WAP is within eye site of the WAP you want it to connect to for optimal signal. For better distance it’s often best to amp the antenna and then use a high gain antenna when connected back to the original WAP. One problem a lot of people encounter is the fact that 2.4GHz is so widely used and can be interfered with easily from anything from a microwave to a cordless phone. So if someone makes a simple phone call the whole network can go down.

One simple way around this is to use 802.11A standard to WDS and the 802.11G standard to distribute within the local area. This way the “backbone” won’t be interfered with when people go to connect anything from their cell phones to their laptops to your network. The best WAP to use would be an outdoor weatherproof dual radio access point, this way you won’t be overloading it and it will easily be able to handle hundreds of customers.

Other things you may want to ensure are that the Client Separation mode is turned on. This way if you are running a hotspot in something like a campground or a trailer park, guest will be able to safely and securely connect to your network without having to worry about if someone can see what files they have shared. Also the ability to do WPA and WEP over the back bone is key for ensuring the best security for your network.

One product that can easily achieve all of this is our own Versa Technology VX-BW225. This supports:

• Simultaneously supports 802.11a and 802.11b/g standard.
• Mix of AP and Bridge configuration works simultaneously, blanketing last miles with high-speed throughput.
• Dual AP configuration for both 802.11b/g and 802.11a users in a high client density environment.
• Dual Bridge (repeater) configuration to extend the transmission range of wireless local bridge.

The VX-BW225 250MW Dual Radio 2.4GHz/5GHz Weatherproof Outdoor WAP also includes a Dynamic Channel Allocation (DCA) solution that automatically selects optimal operational frequency channel during power up. This way the network will be least susceptible to interference. It also comes equipped in an aluminum-alloy frame-resistant with waterproof design housing, and is able to operate even under extreme weather conditions. An integrated IEEE 802.3af Power-over-Ethernet port enables effortless deployment in various environments.

If you have any further questions about correctly deploying an outdoor WLAN with this product feel free to contact info@versatek.com