RUCKUS ZoneDirector 5000
Scalable Enterprise Class Smart WLAN Controller

RUCKUS ZoneDirector 5000 Overview:

The most affordable and scalable high-end Smart WLAN controller in its class

The ZoneDirector 5000 (ZD5000) is the industry's first controller-based system that can be flexibly deployed either in-line, or out of the data path, supporting up to 20,000 clients, 1,000 access points (APs) and 2048 wireless LANs (WLANs) within a single, easy-to-use platform. If you don't believe us, compare it for yourself against the alternatives.

With 6x the processing power and twice the capacity and redundancy of previous ZoneDirectors, the ZD5000 is perfect for large-scale wireless environments such as hotels, schools, hospitals and managed service environments. With a lifetime warranty, the ZD5000 is the first Smart WLAN platform to combine power, simplicity and scalability into a single, affordable system.

Highly resilient with dual/hot-swappable AC/DC power supplies and fans, the ZD5000 integrates the same ZoneFlex Smart/OS software as other ZoneDirector platforms, supporting advanced features such as meshing, hot spot authentication, guest networking and dynamic Wi-Fi security at no additional cost.

The RUCKUS Networks ZoneDirector™ 5000 (ZD5000) is the first WLAN controller to uniquely combine power, simplicity and scalability into an affordable system. Supporting up to 20,000 clients and 2048 WLANs per device, the ZD5000 manages up to 1000 ZoneFlex Smart Wi-Fi access points from a single location.

Unlike conventional wireless LAN systems that are costly, complex and cumbersome to deploy, the ZD5000 is designed for simplicity and ease of use. It's ideal for any large-scale enterprise requiring a high-performance wireless LAN that can be easily deployed and managed.

The ZD5000 integrates the RUCKUS Smart/OS application engine that delivers advanced features such as smart wireless meshing, high availability, hot spot authentication, elegant guest networking and dynamic Wi-Fi security. Deployed and operated by non-wireless experts and installed quickly and easily, with the ZD5000, any organization with limited IT staff and budget can create a robust and secure multimedia WLAN in a matter of minutes.

The ZD5000 easily integrates with network, security and authentication infrastructure already in place and is easily configured through a point-and-click web wizard. RUCKUS ZoneFlex APs automatically discover and are configured by the ZoneDirector. Redundant and secure, the ZD5000 provides WLAN-wide network, security, RF and location management within a single, easy-to-use and affordable WLAN system.

Strong, Simple

The ZD5000 supports enterprise-class 802.1x with any backend authentication database, such as RADIUS and ActiveDirectory, and also comes with an internal authentication database supporting up to 20,000 user entries. First-time ZoneDirector users simply plug their computers into the WLAN, and specify a URL that directs them to a captive web portal for first-time authentication. Then, ZoneDirector automatically configures the client system with the designated SSID and a dynamically-generated encryption key that centralizes authentication and authorization decisions for all APs, providing secure admission control across the WLAN. Oh…and there's also rogue AP detection, client isolation, L2-4 filters, client blacklisting, DoS attack prevention and other security capabilities that let you sleep at night.

Just too many to mention

The ZD5000 delivers one of the most feature-rich software suite of advanced features you can find. The difference is that we don't charge for them. Band steering, airtime fairness, client load balancing, an elegant and simple guest networking facility, time-based wireless LAN controls, Smart Mesh networking, WLAN and AP groupings, IPv6 support, automatic proxy configuration for clients, dynamic VLAN assignment, role-based policy, configurable idle client timeouts, and we could go on and on. All of these advanced features are as easy to implement as simply pointing and client on check boxes with RUCKUS's semi-sexy GUI.

It's all up to you.

Every deployment is difference and the ZD5000 was designed to provide flexible deployment options that give you the power and choice. The ZD5000 can be deployed remotely and out-of-the-datapath to eliminate performance bottlenecks and single points of failure or within a centrally-controlled environment where all traffic is tunneled through the device. You decide. We have also integrated special capabilities such as SpeedFlex directly into the ZD5000. SpeedFlex is a unique wireless performance tool that measures the Wi-Fi throughput of associated wireless LAN (WLAN) clients, APs or individual mesh links. From any centralized ZD500 WLAN controller administrators remotely invoke a speed test for any given client. Focusing on wireless L2 throughput, SpeedFlex measures the performance of the link detailing uplink, downlink, packet loss and other metric essential in remotely troubleshooting and isolating client issues.

Ultra simple to configure and manage

Easily discovered on any network through UPnP, the ZD5000 can be configured in a matter of minutes through an intuitive configuration wizard. Once configured, the ZD5000 provides an simple, Web2.0 management interface that is easy to navigate. The customizable dashboard provides comprehensive at-a-glance network snapshot and allows drill down to troubleshoot wireless problems Configuration changes can easily be applied to multiple APs, or the entire system, simultaneously. The ZD5000 provides full CLI management, a graphic user interface or can be managed through any TELNET connection. Real-time monitoring and statistics show CPU utilization, memory utilizatoin, packets and bytes sent and received, number of APs and clients connected and other information essential to managing any large-scale wireless LAN.

Simple to Deploy

The RUCKUS ZD5000 integrates seamlessly with existing switches, firewalls, authentication servers and other network infrastructure. The ZoneDirector can be placed within any Layer 2/3 network. All RUCKUS ZoneFlex APs (wired or meshed) then automatically discover the RUCKUS ZoneDirector, self configure and become instantly manageable. RUCKUS Smart Redundancy ensures high network availability and is easy to use with automatic synchronization of configuration and authorised users between ZoneDirectors.

Simple to Manage

Once up and running the ZD5000 automatically manages the ZoneFlex network of APs - automatically adjusting transmit power levels and RF channel assignments as needed, to avoid interference, prevent adjacent APs from interfering and enable redundant coverage in the event of an AP failure. Configuration changes can easily be applied to multiple APs, or the entire system, simultaneously. A customizable dashboard provides instant access to a variety of client and network information and events, and a real-time heat map displays AP locations and signal coverage, as well as your RUCKUS

ZoneDirector Smart WLAN systems integrate a unique performance utility from RUCKUS called SpeedFlex™. RUCKUS SpeedFlex allows administrators to locally or remotely determine client Wi-Fi performance over the wireless LAN. With SpeedFlex, administrators can now better plan, troubleshoot, monitor and measure WLAN performance, eliminating the need to use Internet-based speed tools that often provide inaccurate results of the local

The ZoneDirector 5000 provides a detail map view that lets administrators quickly see the Wi-Fi network topology for all ZoneFlex Smart Wi-Fi access points.

Simple to Secure

The ZD5000 provides innovative new techniques that simplify and automate Wi-Fi security. In addition to enterprise-class 802.1X support and dynamic VLAN assignment capabilities, the ZD5000 supports a patented Dynamic Pre-Shared Key (PSK) capability that streamlines WLAN security.

First-time users plug their computers into the LAN and specify a URL that directs them to a captive web portal for a one-time authentication. After successful authentication, the ZoneDirector automatically configures the client system with the designated SSID and a dynamically-generated encryption key. The key is bound to the client, and can be removed upon expiration when the user or the user's device is no longer trusted.

The ZD5000 centralizes authentication and authorization decisions for all APs, providing secure admission control across the WLAN. It works with any backend authentication database such as RADIUS and ActiveDirectory and also comes with an internal authentication database. Additionally, clients can be dynamically assigned to a VLAN based on their

Avoid Interference, Maximize Performance and Extend Reach with Network BeamFlex

RUCKUS BeamFlex™, a patented Wi-Fi beam-steering technology, ensures predictable performance for multimedia traffic applications and extended range to eliminate Wi-Fi deadspots. With ZoneDirector, the value of BeamFlex is extended beyond a single access point to the system-wide WLAN and smart Wi-Fi meshing.

The ZoneDirector automatically controls the channel assignments and transmit power of all ZoneFlex Smart Wi-Fi APs. And with BeamFlex, the ZoneFlex system continuously picks the best path for every packet, to both clients outside the network and mesh APs inside the network, automatically avoiding interference, to guarantee the highest quality of service.

SmartMesh Increases Flexibility, Reduces Costs

RUCKUS Smart Mesh Networking enables self-organizing and selfhealing WLAN deployment. It eliminates the need to run Ethernet cables to every AP, allowing administrators to simply plug in ZoneFlex APs to any power source and walk away. All confi guration and management is delivered through the ZoneDirector Smart WLAN controller. APs can also be daisy-chained to mesh APs to extend the mesh and take advantage of spatial reuse. Smart meshing uses patented Smart Wi-Fi technology to extend range and control Wi-Fi signals to minimize inter-nodal hops that degrade performance and automatically adapt Wi-Fi connections between nodes to maintain ultra high reliability.

SpeedFlex is a unique wireless performance test tool integrated within the ZoneFlex™ family of centralized controllers that measures the Wi-Fi throughput of associated wireless LAN clients.