Fixing the Unfixable: Meru's Virtualizes the WLAN

Meru Networks this week announced the concept (and their implementation) of virtual ports for wireless LANs. This is a little complex, but so is virtualization, which is the art of making something appear real when it is not. Most IT professionals are very familiar with virtualization as applied to virtual machines, taking advantage of hardware features that have been in x86 microprocessors for some time to create many virtual processors that behave the same as a real one. Virtualization is saving big bucks at server farms everywhere, so the benefits are easily quantified. A virtual wireless LAN, or, as Meru calls it, a virtual port, is a little different; it virtualizes the connection between the AP and the client and allows a more granular level of control over each client station, in much the same way as switch ports on a real managed Ethernet switch can be configured to customize each client link. Meru is going after an objective that is very difficult to accomplish, because of the client-centric nature of the 802.11 protocols themselves, and the vagaries of radio propagation, interference, and other PHY-layer artifacts.

But I find this development particularly significant because Meru implements all of the required functionality on the infrastructure side - there's no special hardware, firmware, or client-side software required, although WMM (the Wi-Fi Alliance's spec for 802.11e, present on most clients shipping today) is required for best results. As you may recall, I have been in favor of standardizing client-side capabilities under the 802.11 umbrella for many years. I've made the argument for determinism in load-balancing and roaming and other components of client-side control as best I can, urging 802.11 and/or the Wi-Fi Alliance to take action here with an (albeit optional) client. But if Meru can really gain the benefits of controlling the client without modifying the client - wow, that could be significant.

I am looking forward to testing Meru's vWLAN as soon as I have the chance. And I remain impressed with the level of innovation that Meru continues to bring to the marketplace - vWLAN follows on the heels of their Virtual Reality RF analysis product and the PHY-layer security system announced earlier this year. As I have written before, there are still great opportunities to both expand and refine WLANs ahead of us, and Meru is clearly one of the industry's leaders in this pursuit.

• Meru Networks
• virtual port
• virtual wireless LAN