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Wireless infrastructure essential

Satinlink, distributor of Firetide Wireless Mesh Network Technology for Africa, is expanding into wireless LAN and point-to-point products to serve more enterprise wireless needs. Four new products were introduced in their 7000 series and FWB MIMO series, to serve the WLAN and point-to-point markets. WLAN, (wireless local area network), consists of a series of access points that transmit a signal to devices for access to the Internet.

Besides offering new access points that operate on the 802.11n standard for indoor and outdoor use, respectively, Firetide is also offering a WLAN controller that manages up to 50 access points. A point-to-point device is used as a bridge to deliver broadband access from one building to another on a corporate campus, in lieu of a T1 or fibre-optic line. A Firetide Outdoor Wireless Bridge, consisting of two radio devices delivering sustained high throughput which are very cost effective. All products are described as multiple input, multiple output devices (MIMO).

Firetide’s flagship product will continue to be its wireless infrastructure mesh networks technology. Mesh networks consist of a series of nodes that differ from access points. Access points deliver the Web asynchronously, meaning that a Web page or e-mail, for instance, will arrive sooner or later depending on network traffic. The mesh nodes, however, enable real-time video and audio streaming, which is critical for security and public safety applications.

Mesh networks enable a commuter rail line to install video cameras on a train or a car and see live video of what may be happening inside as the image from the camera is picked up by mesh nodes all along the track or highway. While mesh technology has uses in security and public safety, it also has uses in industrial and enterprise settings, especially as workers use more mobile and wireless devices. According to Audrey De Jongh, Siyavuyisa MD, “Mobile and wireless is becoming essential and not just a ‘nice to have’ for any enterprise, hence Firetide Technology has become a flagship of our future endeavours in our projects which will be implemented soon in townships and communities which are in need of cutting edge technology.”

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