Trapeze Networks revamped its wireless LAN “guest access” software, simplifying and automating a batter of tasks for controlling guests and other temporary users on corporate wireless LANs .

SmartPass software is intended to give much more detailed control over how, when and where guests can access the WLAN. The software makes it easier to quickly create and administer guest accounts for thousands of users.

The software is based on a central server instead of Trapeze WLAN controller. There is a separate database for registering, authenticating and tracking guest access, permissions and activities. The user interface is designed specifically for use by receptionists and other non-technical staff in creating guest accounts.

SmartPass is intended to make guess wireless accounts more secure than rival offerings, or the virtual LANs often used by enterprises to segregate guest users. Some guest systems run on a specific WLAN controller, subject to hardware failure even as they allow non-technical employees access to at least some controller functions. The new Trapeze application offloads the work of creating and maintaining guest access from multiple WLAN controllers to one centralized server, which can re-provision guest accounts if a controller should fail or go offline.

Without involving IT staff, SmartPass lets a receptionist issue guest access passes with a variety of time criteria. Passes could be for a set number of hours, or for a range of times (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for example) or for set hours on specified range of dates. The passes can be activated at different times, such as when the guess first logs into the WLAN.

Network administrators can create customized, predefined access passes, to be issued to various classes of guests.

SmartPass supports both Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and the more complete 802.11i-based WPA2 security standards.

Working with the SmartPass user interface, a receptionist types in the requested information and issues to the guest a username/password combination. When guests log into the WLAN with this combination, the SmartPass server authenticates them and confirms that they are authorized to access the network at that time. Network administrators can access the SmartPass server to see detailed information about wireless guests, and review details of the accounts.