Microsoft Dumps Cisco for WiFi

A reader writes: "While Cisco is still runs the world of routers, apparently they have ended up on the short end of the stick when it comes to WiFi. Aruba Wireless Networks announced today that Microsoft has selected them over Cisco and would be "integrating Windows wireless clients" software with the Aruba gear. This could impact everyone that uses wireless with Windows. Aruba's Access Points aren't your traditional AP since they offload most of the functionality to a back end controller thus making for very low cost APs. They have even released their AP boot code on Source Forge so that anyone with a controller can convert their APs to Aruba APs. It also should be noted that Cisco, after realizing their wireless equipment wasn't up to par, tried to buy the deal by first by first approaching Aruba and then after being rebuffed bought their competitor Airespace for $450M in desperation and still lost."

Cisco

[superpulpsicle]

I was convinced after the big Cisco 6509 series, there would never be another need for more wired cisco networking hardware.

With the exception of the san switches MDS line, I feel everything else released after the 6509 are surpluses. Literally released to fill marketing needs.

WINWAP

[SpaceLifeForm]

Why does WinModem come to mind?

Cisco hates to lose

[Alcemenes]

Cisco does not like to lose and they hate being wrong even more but overall I think they're a good company. I like working with their hardware although the price tag is very steep and in a lot of cases a less expensive product serves the purpose just as well or better. I can think of one instance in particular where a custom Linux firewall was replaced with a Cisco 2621 router with the firewall feature set loaded because the Linux firewall didn't meet the organizations security standards. As it turns out those standards meant the firewall had to be a Cisco product, period. I have also seen situations where Cisco tech support blamed my Linux router as the reason for a VPN tunnel failing on a misconfigured PIX firewall. I wasn't really surprised by any of this but it also doesn't surprise me that Microsoft chose someone else over Cisco. Does anyone else find it ironic that a monolithic software company with obnoxious licensing snubs a monolithic hardware company with equally insane licensing? I implement both Cisco and Microsoft products for my customers but the hoops you have to jump through sometimes just to make sure your licenses are on the up and up are ridiculous.

Re:WINWAP

[Burz]

Because MS now gets to promote x86 system configurations for which Linux (and OS X) will not have drivers.

So there you have the Windows future: Proprietary lock-in through MS partnerships with peripheral makers.

Is this really a shock?

[shaitand]

This creates another class of hardware akin to the winmodem. The result is that this model becomes popular and controller emulation software is only made for the most popular desktop platform... MICROSOFT windows. This is just another way of exploiting a monopoly.

Sic semper tyranis

[mister_llah]

Either you move with the times or you lose.

Cisco seems to have underestimated their market share influence in technology.

Rightfully so, innovation will win every time (something which should give the open source community some hope, I suppose)... sometimes it is a slow process.

I think Cisco is starting that road, and in a decade may wind up in the same spot as Novell... unless they can come up with their own innovations!

Cheers :)