NetStumbler.com

Siemens Communications has introduced HiPath Wireless Advanced, a centrally managed WLAN security controller comprised of integrated components rather than separately purchased ones. The system, with prices starting at $6,000, includes an intrusion detection and prevention system capable of sniffing out rogue access points and blocking their users. Other companies offering intrusion detection and prevention tools bundled with their WLAN security systems include Aruba Networks, Cisco Systems, and Trapeze Networks.
Via [informationweek.com]

Security needs for a wireless LAN lie somewhere between business needs and business risks, and the challenge is in knowing how far to go and which methods to use. Hackers, freeloaders, and virus spreaders have a multitude of tools at their disposal, and weak WEP encryption doesn’t offer much protection. Newer security technologies can be used to harden your WLAN, but the best answer might also be the simplest — turn off your AP when it’s not in use.
Via [techworld.com]

You can run, but you can’t hide. WiFi location tracking devices, whether external asset tags or embedded WiFi, use WiFi access points to determine the location of items such as laptops, scanners and phones. Interest in WiFi location tracking applications is growing, and is especially high for healthcare items such as wheelchairs and patient monitoring devices.
Via [electronicsweekly.com]

Netgear has jumped on the ‘pre-n’ bandwagon and released their ‘NEXT’ line-up of products. Promising all the benefits of 802.11n technology now, rather than after the spec is ratified, is an attempt by Netgear to join Belkin and others in hedging their bets and hoping that their products will be upgradeable, or at least compatible with the final 802.11n spec. Only time will tell if the gamble works.
Via [techworld.com]

The WiMax revolution won’t be felt in the United States until at least 2008. Rural India seems to be the primary customer at the moment. Current WiMax standards operate on spectrum unavailable in the US and a replacement chunk of spectrum won’t be released for a few years. Until then, pre-certification public frequency gear is all that will be around. This makes the decision not to go WiMax right away, a little easier.
Via [informationweek.com]

Most people tend to be very cautious with high ticket items, however when it comes to laptops, people don’t seem to be very cautious. People have no problem setting a highly portable $2500 laptop down on a table in a public setting. San Francisco seems to be experiencing a rash of laptop thefts from free hotspot coffee shops. In 2004 there were 18 thefts, 2005 there were 48, this year is on track for 70.
Via [theinquirer.net]

Kineto Wireless and Boingo have partnered to allow upcoming UMA based WiFi/cellular phones to work at Boingo hotspots. The idea is that UMA phones are being designed to use WiFi when a customer is at home or thier business, but now the phones will be able to use the higher bandwidth, and presumably cheaper WiFi connection at Boingo public hotspots as well.
Via [eetimes.com]

While Wireless VoIP seems like a great thing for consumers, a war is heating up with the telco’s to try and keep the technology from cutting into thier revenue stream. Telco’s are pushing UMA, short for Unlicensed Mobile Access, a technology that allows phones to seamlessly go from the GSM network to Wifi and back, while still being able to charge the customer for the airtime. This hopefully will be convenient enough for consumers that they will avoid free services like Skype which have little to no fees.
Via [redherring.com]

In the ever changing world of WiFi devices, some equipment becomes legacy very quickly. There are a great many still useful devices out there that only support WEP. WPA or WPA2 are beyond thier capabilities. So what do you do? Many companies are setting up blended environments with multiple AP’s and networks, each supporting a different encryption method. This way each client can use the highest encryption available. This is kind of dumb however since if part of you network is running WEP, that’s the weakest link and running WPA2 is pointless.
Via [techworld.com]

Location sensing of WiFi enabled equipment and personelle is something that alot of companies have wanted for a a while. It’s tricky stuff and is’nt the easiest to setup, but can be invaluable for many reasons, such as location of key personelle and equipment, detection of rogue or attacking device, and for detecting the location of interfering devices. There’s alot of ways to do it and every company seems to have thier own prefered method.
Via [techworld.com]

WiMax looks to be getting big. Really big. Market research firm Telcomview expects the WiMax market to hit $53 Billion by 2011. Presumably alot of that will come from everyone having to buy new handsets and network cards to take advantage of it.
Via [eetuk.com]

T-mobile has teamed up with ipass to allow customers to use other ipass partner companies access points throughout europe. It’s moves like this that make hotspots easier to use. Rather than having to buy 8 different access cards, you just need onecard or code, and only one fee to access hotspots everywhere.
Via [geekzone.co.nz]

Technology in the stands at baseball games seems to be an odd thing, but teams need to adapt to the future and one of the things being considered it wireless internet access for fans in the stands. The idea is to compete with sites like mlb.com and allow fans to stay connected to other games, stats, and even streaming video of the game, while they are at a game, rather than on the couch.
Via [news.com.com]

802.11w is the latest entry into the 802.11 alphabet soup. .11w plans to extend security for wireless from just the payload part of the packet, to the managment frames as well. Currently thse frames are sent in the clear. These improvments should help prevent information about the network being leaked to an attacker. 802.11w also proposes to solve another problem with unauthenticated managment frames; the deauth DoS attack. By using one time passwords for deauth/dissassociate frames, the client and AP have the ability to tell if a deauth is legit or not.
Via [networkworld.com]

Nortel is jumping into mesh networking with both feet. After wiring up Taipei with a mesh municipal wireless system, the Israeli town of Ariel is next to use this technology. The town is testing the mesh network as a solution for a host of things, including surveillance, water meters, data and voice communication and also free internet access for residents.
Via [today.reuters.co.uk]