Ortronics/Legrand recently introduced its Wi-Jack Duo, which the company calls "the smallest dual band/dual radio access point available today." The patent-pending unit fits into a standard wall box in the footprint of a standard faceplate and extends just 12-mm from a wall. The company says the unit employs proprietary thin AP technology for lower costs, higher performance, and enhanced security, integrating seamlessly into existing structured cabling systems.
The Wi-Jack Duo supports 802.11a/b/g operation, allowing simultaneous operation at 2.4 and 5 GHz at speeds up to 54 Mbit/sec; the unit can also be used simultaneously as a dedicated air monitor. Available with or without an additional copper workstation port for wired connectivity, it contains internal tri-band omnidirectional antennas mounted safely behind the faceplate, providing optimal performance while blending aesthetically into any environment, according to the company.
The company says the unit's functionality and intelligence is centralized within the wireless controller to deliver higher system scalability and performance, along with the ability to support new standards and services without upgrading hundreds of devices. The wireless controllers enable secure and flexible wireless network management through policy-based security, QoS and bandwidth management, and real-time WLAN monitoring.
"The introduction of the Wi-Jack Duo is a significant milestone in the evolution of wireless networks. By bringing the access point into the wall outlet, we have more closely integrated the WLAN into the existing structured cabling infrastructure," says Mark Panico, president of Ortronics/Legrand. "The Ortronics wireless solution makes the WLAN easier to manage, more cost effective, and more secure. We've essentially eliminated the risk that was once associated with deploying a wireless network."