Rob Haviland introduces HP’s wireless product line

Rob Haviland introduced HP’s wireless product line during Wireless Field Day 2, focusing primarily on the new HP Flex Campus mobility solution. The Flex Campus is designed to unify wired and wireless networking within organizational infrastructures, sitting alongside other components of the HP Flex Network architecture, which includes Flex Fabric for data centers, Flex Management, and Flex Branch for branch offices. Haviland emphasized that successful wireless networking is not only about technology but also an art, often influenced by the unique requirements of different environments. The presentation included highlights of HP’s new products, such as the outdoor 466R access point and the MSM 720 mobility access controller, which efficiently manages up to 40 access points, filling a gap in HP’s previous offerings.

During his talk, Haviland underscored the significance of conducting site surveys before implementing wireless solutions. He shared practical insights on how thorough site assessments—predictive, passive, and active—are vital to ensure optimal coverage and performance. The successful installation of wireless systems can hinge on such surveys, especially in larger enterprise settings where coverage can change due to technology upgrades or environmental factors. Haviland also touched on the evolving trend of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) in corporate environments, highlighting the increased demand on access points and the implications on network performance and capacity.

Haviland concluded by discussing the features of the new access points, such as the 430, 460, and 466 series. He explained the advanced capabilities of these new products, including their support for concurrent operations on the 5GHz band, which enhance performance, particularly in high-density user environments. The pressurized introduction of features like band steering, beamforming, and the modular management system was designed to streamline network administration, enabling smoother integration of devices and more efficient use of bandwidth. Overall, HP aims to deliver a high-performance, scalable solution that not only meets the current needs of enterprises but is also attuned to future networking challenges.