In a move that targets mobile business professionals, Cisco Systems says it has worked out a partnership to put its Aironet 350 Series Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b) technology in some Toshiba Computer
notebooks.
The San Jose, Calif.-based computer-networking equipment maker says putting its technology in Toshiba Tecra 9000 Series and Portege 4000 Series notebook PCs allows mobile business professionals to tap into secure wireless local area networks (LAN) either in the office or in public.
Cisco says it is also releasing its first Mini-PCI embedded offering from its Aironet 350 Series portfolio to include access points, bridges and client adapters.
“With our newest corporate notebooks, highly mobile professionals can exchange files in a conference room or check e-mail on the road without wires, securely and in a matter of seconds,” says Steve Andler, vice president of marketing for Toshiba Computer Systems Group (CSG).
As part of the partnership, Toshiba is expected to market the enhanced notebooks. The computer maker is also expected to provide co-development, solution validation and single vendor accountability for design, global consulting, integration, installation and support services, including the Cisco client technology components.
The notebooks can reach wireless data rates of up to 11Mbps; based on direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) technology operating in the 2.4GHz ISM band; up to 100mW transmit power.
Because it is WiFi enhanced, it will work with other WiFi appliances as well as IEEE 802.1x-based Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) services that provide single-user, single-session encryption keys integrated with the network logon and dynamic re-authentication.
“The delivery of ‘enterprise-ready’ notebooks that combine mobility with industry-leading performance, security, and manageability sets a new standard in integrated wireless technology that our customers have come to expect from us,” says Bill Rossi, vice president and general manager of Cisco’s Wireless Networking Business Unit.
