Brocade Mobility RFS Controller System Reference Guide (Supporting software release 5.5.0.0 and later) - Manual (Page 14)

2 Brocade Mobility RFS Controller System Reference Guide
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Within a Mobility managed network, up to 80% of the network traffic can remain on the wireless
mesh, and never touch the wired network, so the 802.11n load impact on the wired network is
negligible. In addition, latency and associated costs are reduced while reliability and scalability are
increased. A Mobility managed network enables the creation of dynamic wireless traffic flows, so
any bottleneck is avoided, and the destination is reached without latency or performance
degradation. This behavior delivers a significantly better quality of experience for the end user.
The same distributed intelligence enables more resilience and survivability, since the Access Points
keep users connected and traffic flowing with full QoS, security and mobility even if the connection
is interrupted due to a wired network or backhaul problem.
Even when the network is fully operational, outside RF interference sources or unbalanced wireless
network loading can be automatically corrected by Smart RF. Smart RF senses interference or
potential client connectivity problems and makes the required changes to the operating channel
and Access Point radio power while minimizing the impact to latency sensitive applications like
VoIP. Using Smart RF, the network can continuously adjust Access Point power and channel
assignments for self-recovery if a radio fails or a coverage hole is detected.
Additionally, integrated Access Point sensors, in conjunction with AirDefense Network Assurance,
alert administrators of interference and network coverage problems, which shortens response
times and boosts overall reliability and availability of the network.
Network traffic optimization protects networks from broadcast storms and minimizes congestion
on the wired side of the network. Mobility networks provide VLAN load balancing, WAN traffic
shaping and optimizations in dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) responses and Internet
group management protocol (IGMP) snooping for multicast traffic flows in wired and wireless
networks. Thus, administrators and users both benefit from an extremely reliable network that
adapts to meet their needs while delivering mixed-media applications.
Firmware and configuration updates are supported from one Access Point to another, over the air
or wire, and can be centrally managed. Controllers no longer need to push firmware and
configurations to each individual Access Point, reducing unnecessary network congestion.
Mobility uses Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service (RADIUS) synchronization capabilities
between the core and the access layer. If the central authentication mechanism is not available,
users can authenticate using local RADIUS resources, and continue network support with secure
access.