Hutchison/MRC Research Centre goes Wi-Fi with Ruckus Wireless
Published:18-November-2008
By Bhavana Navuluri
Cancer research centre Hutchison/MRC Research Centre in Cambridge has installed Ruckus Wireless’ smart wireless LAN system, ZoneFlex 802.11n, to connect its entire four storey building.
The network covers the centre’s labs, computer rooms and meeting rooms. The deployment was carried out by internet connectivity and wireless security reseller Net-Ctrl. Hutchison/MRC has purchased 10 Ruckus 802.11n ZoneFlex access points and a ZoneDirector 1000.
Ruckus ZoneFlex 802.11n combines RF signal routing and adaptive antenna arrays with centralised WLAN management to provide Hutchison/MRC with a centrally-controlled Wi-Fi environment. According to Ruckus, its network overcomes structural obstructions to support delay-sensitive applications and works even in cold rooms, where the signals are usually difficult to reach.
The 802.11n network is also capable of supporting future deployment of voice over Wi-Fi by the research centre.
Neil McKnight, IT technician at Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, said: “We were initially after a wireless network that would provide our users with general day-to-day internet and server access – but, with the ZoneFlex system, researchers in our labs and cold rooms now have wireless access to the network and as a result can log their findings directly onto the central server.”
Jim Calderbank, director of enterprise sales EMEA at Ruckus Wireless, said: “The deployment at Hutchison/MRC underlines our key strength – being able to send Wi-Fi signals anywhere they’re needed. Getting through structural walls and cold rooms is quite a feat, and the overwhelmingly positive staff response to the new system speaks volumes.”
As well as the research centre, recently, 14 school districts across the US have selected Ruckus Smart 802.11n high-speed network for wireless LAN deployments.
