Wireless management software refers to an automated program which regulates wireless network performance to deliver cost-effective and tangible results. An intelligent, innovative and feature rich wireless management software enables an organization to optimize the overall efficiency of network operations and put forth enhanced end user experience. The market is rife with numerous vendors touting various products as the best and most effective remedy for all wireless management woes. These software programs vary from each other in terms of inherent features, capabilities and the overall control they grant the subscriber over their wireless network.
Things to Look for:
High Adaptability
Scalability, versatility and adaptability ought to be the cornerstones of effective wireless management software. Wireless networks are constantly subjected to tumultuous and ever changing operating environments. The management software should be malleable enough to accommodate sharp spike in user traffic, bear the burden of end user applications which tend to be resource intensive mostly, and be acquiescent to ambient conditions which is the most unpredictable factor in the entire equation.
Visibility and Control
Effective handling of the enterprise network resources is extremely crucial. Wireless management software should be able to bestow centralized visibility and granular control of the aforementioned resources end to end. The magnitude of granularity should permeate beyond VLAN’s and be all encompassing. Alterations in protocols, applications and other subtle and not so subtle changes in the setup should be reported and brought under centralized control through easy to use access controls. All the management should ideally be done in real time and special emphasis is to be given to mission critical communications, plus it should be provisioned to support any client OS on any network.
All Encompassing
The program should be capable to integrate seamlessly with multi frequency, multi-vendor networks. The capability to implement policy based network optimization and traffic prioritization across different wireless infrastructures is highly desirable. It should be able to cater to advance management applications to predict and simplify WLAN operations and finally total security management.
Ease of use
The overall design and interface of the software should be designed keeping in mind the end user and endeavors should be made to make it as visual and friendly as possible, thereby minimizing learning curve. To quote a network specialist, “a single click should trigger an array of diagnostic, preemptive and remedial actions! This would save time and resources which can be focused elsewhere”. The ease of use endows boons like:
- Significantly reduced IT workload
- Reduce number of help-desk calls
- Assist in rolling out new applications rapidly
If the essence of wireless network management software is put in a nutshell, it would be a solution that lets a subscriber manage, secure and troubleshoot hundreds of controllers and access points. Give clear and concise visibility through custom views and reports, which correlate user problems with network events. It ought to make life easier for the network administrator by providing centralized upgrades and configuration for WLAN irrespective of its magnitude. So the next time you are seeking out management software for your wireless network, opt for the one that complies with the above mentioned points.