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XL Systems announce Funkwerk Enterprise Communications GmbH WI series of access point devices on the market for  use under extreme environmental conditions. The two versions of the devices are suitable for installation of wireless LANs (WLANs) in dusty or damp environments and under extreme temperature conditions, for example in outdoor environments or in industrial production facilities. The WI series from FEC addresses professional users from the fields of manufacturing industry, e.g. the automobile industry, the healthcare sector, storage and logistics, as well as public transportation. The WIx040 devices of protection class IP40 are intended for indoor use; the casings of the WIx065 outdoor devices protect against dust and water jets compliant with protection class IP65.
The manufacturing industry profits from the WI series with the use of WLAN, for instance for signal transfer between fabrication robots and the central computing unit. So the production data are available at all times. The access points satisfy the prerequisites for use in industrial production facilities, as they offer vibration protection and protection against dust and water jets with casings of protection class IP 65, and also an extended temperature range from -25 to +70 °C. Additional protective casings to heat or cool the devices are no longer required.
WLAN in buses, for instance, raises efficiency and reduces operating costs for the operating company. Ticket data are transmitted directly to the on-board computer in the bus. Realtime timetable monitoring using wireless data transmission also improves customer service: Buses report back to stops equipped with access points, up-to-date passenger information, such as arrival times or problems, can therefore be called up. Furthermore, WLAN can support security technology, e.g. video surveillance systems. Centrally controlled overlays also allow advertising on the screens in the bus and open up new sources of revenue for the transportation company. “Checking in” the vehicle at the depot is also considerably simplified; the device in the vehicle is used in client mode here and reports to the access points in the depot and handles the necessary data transmission with the central computer unit, for example ticket and operating data. The E1 approval attests compatibility of the access points from Funkwerk Enterprise Communications with the on-board electronics and guarantees conformant use in vehicles.
Further certification paves the way for numerous deployment and application options for the FEC WI series, also beyond public transportation. MPG certification to EN 60601-1-2 verifies electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), the prerequisite for safe use of WLAN in hospitals.
It is also possible for companies with WI series devices to realize WLAN connections between different buildings. Here the outdoor version can be installed on a light mast without a network connection and may be operated as a repeater or access point via a wireless backbone. Wireless resources can be optimally exploited with up to three wireless modules, for example using a backbone supply at lower interference 5 GHz frequencies and local wireless cells for the users at 2.4 GHz.
WLAN encryption standards WPA and WPA2 ensure data security. In bridge mode, as is necessary for the connection between different buildings, for instance, the devices are capable of encrypting the connections with TKIP and AES. The access points have one, two or three wireless modules and two or four antennas depending on the model. Each wireless module can be individually set to the access point, bridge or client operating modes. All WI series devices support the 802.11a/b/g/h wireless standards.
Six versions of the WI series devices are available; they differ in the number of wireless modules and the IP protection classes IP 40 and IP 65.
•WI1040: Device for indoor applications (protection class IP 40), one wireless module, two external antennas
•WI2040: Device for outdoor applications (protection class IP 40), two wireless module, four external antennas
•WI3040: Device for outdoor applications (protection class IP 40), three wireless module, four external antennas
•WI1065: Device for outdoor applications (protection class IP 65), one wireless module, two external antennas
•WI2065: Device for outdoor applications (protection class IP 65), two wireless module, four external antennas
•WI3065: Device for outdoor applications (protection class IP 65), three wireless module, four external antennas
Key Features:
•Protection class: IP40 / IP65
•Wide temperature range from -25 to +70 °C
•Wireless multimedia for Quality of Service (WMM) supports streaming of multimedia content
•Wireless backbone connection for automatic network setup
•SFP (small form-factor pluggable) slots: fiber expansion modules for fast network connections
•RS232 serial interface for configuration or as a data interface
•Up to three wireless modules
•Power over Ethernet (WI10xx, WI20xx)
•WEP, WPA-Enterprise, WPA-PSK and IEEE802.11i/WPA2-Enterprise, WPA2-PSK encryption
•Triply redundant power supply
•Anti-theft protection as an accessory
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 Firmware update permits configuration management for FEC devices across platforms.
Funkwerk Enterprise Communications (FEC) now offer a new release for the access points. The core component of the firmware update 7.5.1 for the devices of the Wx002 and the WI series is the Funkwerk Configuration Interface (FCI). It implements a common user interface for all Funkwerk devices in the network. In other FEC devices, such as the Media Gateways or the UTM series, it has already been implemented. With the FCI, the Nuremberg-based full-line provider has established the basis for simplified and efficient network administration. Especially in small- and medium-scale enterprises, the FCI can take the strain off the IT department and releases time and financial resources for new investments and project management tasks.
With the homogeneous configuration interface, administrators are always working with a well-known, Web-based interface, independent of the FEC device applied. All system management settings required for network configuration, such as routing functions or an overview of the interfaces, can thus be found quickly. The monitoring functions permit fast troubleshooting in the case of problems. Time-controlled events and extended configuration options permit the fast implementation of complex applications. The clear-cut structuring according to areas, such as VoIP, VPN, or routing, enables users unfamiliar with the device to become quickly acquainted with the administration of the network infrastructure. This allows companies to save money when setting up their IT infrastructure and when performing daily administration tasks.
With the common user interface, Funkwerk Enterprise Communications GmbH, a company of Funkwerk AG, implements the merge of the core technologies access, WLAN, IT security, and voice on the product level. The multilingual FCI can be used for the UnifiedCom Box funkwerk TR200, the IT security appliances of the UTM family, the access points of the W and WI series of release 7.5.1 and higher, and the Media Gateways of the R series. The Web-based configuration interface permits the access to several devices independent of the operating system.
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