Study of Wireless network based on cloud

Wireless network based on cloud 

Introduction:

One of the latest wireless network for user is the cloud-managed wireless networks. It allows organizations to easily configure, deploy and manage networking devices over the distributed networks. Maximizing the network functionality and lowering maintenance and IT cost are the services provided by this technology. The network is cost effective and is easy to use. It is managed centrally and is controlled over the internet. As the network is based on Cloud, wide visibility and control are found with automatic reporting. This gives features of Central management, Application control, Guest Wi-Fi, Enterprise Security, Teleworker VPN and Device Management. Every system does have benefits and this cloud based networking gives rapid deployment with the benefits of self-optimizing, self-provisioning and automatic monitoring. The network is centrally managed from internet based on cloud and has a controller that provides centralized management with control applications. The access point is managed by cloud through internet. The control application allows the administrators to see the devices and applications being used on the network. It gives the function to create access control and application usage, boosting security and easing end-user experience. The architecture of this latest networking technology is fully based on cloud that provides the access and controls over the networks.

Architecture:

This network makes it easy to spread an Internet connection throughout any number of places.

Fig 1: Architecture diagram of Cloud Managed Network.

The monitoring of the wireless network can be done from anywhere in the world through internet. The architecture diagram gives the full detail of a cloud-based network using Brower-based management. It consists of wireless LAN built for management and cloud managed networking controller which both provides centrally managed tool. The setting up of this cloud based management system is much easier. The cloud managed wireless has the web UI that provides the cloud controller as shown above in the fig. The web based management UI gets the data from the cloud and monitors the activity and the devices on the networks. The networks are campus, branch office, Retail Stores, teleworker and so on. All these networks are controlled and managed by network controller based on cloud. This architecture give the advantage of increasing the speed and bandwidth from the controller if needed. Cloud based architecture also provides the Automatic monitoring and with advance alerts that can be fixed by the controller or administrator.

Advantages:

Lower cost:

This network approach is cost efficient and provides faster networks. The expenses are found to be very low as they don’t have to purchase their own equipment and software.

Fast Deployment:

One of the advantage is fast deployment as compared to installing system with own network equipment. The Utilization of new applications can be done quickly using could networking.

Productivity:

All Staffs have the access of the organization data and application from their home and it is easier to configure from anywhere. As the user can access data and application anywhere, they can do work more conveniently and accurately.

Scalability:

The capacity could be added instantly using cloud network along with the speed of internet. All these can be done just by a click using cloud from anywhere.

Mobility:

With the internet access the data and application from the network could be accessed from anywhere by the users using any device. No need to stay at a desk to work, the job could be done from anywhere by the users. This increases the productivity of the organization.

Good Security:

One of the greatest fear of any organization is security. The security is found to be great by the cloud based network. Most cloud service providers have stringent security polices for could networking.  The cloud service provider has many data protection policies. Data loss prevention, Encryption and Decryption strategy, physical security of data centers, firewall with latest malware protection are major security features provided over to the cloud data.  The network troubleshooting are done through could and saves a lot of time along with work.

Troubleshooting:

Number of problems occur in a network. The testing and troubleshooting for such problem can be done using cloud. The UI based on could enables the features for solving such kind of problem and monitoring the data and devices. Dashboard contains the troubleshooting tools.

Disadvantages:

Security:

In any IT or organization, Security plays an important role of the organization to be less vulnerable and protect the data. The sensitive data are found to be vulnerable while adopting this networking as it is based on the cloud.

Privacy:

The data privacy is major concern of any organization which could be monitored by the cloud providers or the hackers. The user or client can access their application or data from any location. The information could be compromised by different ways.

Cloud Services:

The wireless network solutions can offload their Configuration or management duties to the cloud. Let us assume, the server is down or unavailable or expired which makes the system vulnerable and the administrator couldn’t make any changes to system until services is restored.

Web based UI:

Browser based management UI are not hosted by the local Aps. This makes the system dependent on the cloud services. All the reports along with logs are on the server which are accessed by the internet in cloud based approach. If the cloud service is lost all the current stats and reports couldn’t be viewed.

Limitation of troubleshooting:

As the troubleshooting are done from cloud there could be problem with the troubleshooting when the cloud controller is gone. All the access of the web UI and CLI (command line interface) are done from cloud there is limitation on the troubleshooting.

Key service provider:

The key service provider for Cloud-based wireless network are as given below:

Open-Mesh:

Open-Mesh began in 2005 with the mission to make WIFI smarter and simpler. The Open-Mesh provides scalable, modular hardware and Powerful could management (could controller) with Ultra low cost for controllers. The service provider has 83,000 Cloud-Managed Networks worldwide.

Cisco meraki:

One of the major Cloud-based network provider is Cisco Meraki which offers 100% cloud managed for faster deployment, simplified administration, and richer visibility. The main focus is on Dedicated Security Radio, performance and high Capacity.

Aerohieve:

Aerohieve has over 22,000 end-customers around the world. The organization provides distributed, controller-less architecture to deliver unified, intelligent, simplified networks that can be cost-effectively to the users.

HP:

A well-known organization which is one of the key Service provider for Cloud-based wireless network. It provides Enterprise-class performance, Simplified management, lower costs with free firmware updates and 100% uptime for survivability in case of WAN connectivity failure.[9]

                       

Other relevant information

The cloud-based managed WLAN isn’t believed to be for everyone. The cloud-based wireless network has rapidly evolved over few years. The service provider like meraki and Aerohieve gives end to end cloud managed environment having WLAN components. In other hand other vendors gives simple cloud-managed Wireless router access with no security applications. The cloud base wireless network systems gives the feature of high-performance access points providing all the modern security measures required. Some service providers don’t give any controllers as they are not needed for those architectures. There is no hybrid model of architecture where one could have variation with network.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Cloud-based wireless network uses Cloud and web based management functionality that move files among users which reduces cost. Implementation and equipment cost are reduced significantly providing better reliable and secured network to access it from number of places. Data and application accessibility from anywhere are significantly increase with this approach. Organization with low capital investment on network can grow fast and efficiently. The Could-based wireless network has many advantages over traditional networking. It give low cost, more efficient, fast networking access and advanced security measures with cloud. Organization having cloud-based network grows well with the application that can be access from anywhere. Cloud-based troubleshooting makes it easier for solving problem in an Organization. With above features, the network are becoming secure globally enabling users to securely access files and application etc. The cloud based network has significant advantages with easier monitoring and troubleshooting that is safer, faster, smarter and more reliable. The Service provider of cloud-based network are growing day by with many organization being shifted towards this advanced networking technique. It is believed that future of Wi-Fi lies in cloud.