Eltex WLC Series Wireless Access Controllers

Main article: Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) - 802.11 wireless standard

2024: Launch of mass production WLC-15

On March 22, 2024, Eltex announced the launch of mass production of the WLC-15 Wireless Access Controller.

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Фото: Eltex

The controller is available for ordering and testing.

The controller is optimal for use in corporate Wi-Fi networks of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Key points:

• Based on the hardware platform of the ESR-15R router and has all the advantages in working with traffic and its protection - routing/ IPv4,IPv6, an firewall IDS/IPS threat detection system with a set of rules is available for individual licenses. Kaspersky SafeStream II
• Connection interfaces: 4 Ethernet port 1 Gbps, 2 SFP port 1 Gbps, console port, USB ports version 2.0, hard drive bay .
• Up to 50 access points can be connected to the controller by L2/L3 and managed centrally. Under a separate license, you can increase the number of connected points to 100.
• 1 + 1 redundancy is supported. Two WLC-15 are combined into a failover cluster, where one of them is active and the second is standby. If the active controller fails, the standby controller performs its functions.
• Current Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 access points from Eltex are supported. The controller has a pre-configured basic configuration - it takes a minimum of time to implement into the network infrastructure and configure access points.
• The built-in Airtune system automatically optimizes wireless network radio parameters - channel selection, access point power, seamless roaming of subscribers in accordance with the 802.11k/r standard.
• Supports up-to-date standards enciphering authentications and WPA2/WPA3 through an external/local RADIUS server as well as LDAP directories.
• Manage, monitor, and configure with CLI, WEB, and cloud ECCM.

As of March 2024, the web interface is in development.

2023: Presenting WLC-15

On November 30, 2023, Eltex introduced WLC-15, a addition to the wireless access controller line.

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Фото: Eltex

This is the best choice for a small business that needs a reliable tool for managing small corporate Wi-Fi networks of offices, stores and enterprises.

Compared to the WLC-30 controller, the presented model supports the connection of up to 50 L2/L3 access points (for WLC-30 - up to 150). The default controller has a predefined base configuration, which speeds up the primary network deployment process. At the same time, engineers can flexibly adjust all the necessary parameters to the needs of a specific project.

WLC-15 supports all current Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 Eltex access points.

WLC-15 is equipped with a universal set of interfaces - four gigabit Ethernet ports and two 1 Gb/s SFP ports for connecting to the network infrastructure. The front panel has a console RJ-45 port and a USB 2.0 port.

For projects that require higher bandwidth and density of wireless client connections, a WLC-30 controller with two 10 Gb/s optical ports is suitable.

Like WLC-30, the younger model has a slot for installing a 2.5-inch hard drive. It is required to collect data locally about the registration of users and their activity on the network. This is a prerequisite when authenticating users on public networks to comply with the law on communication.

WLC-15 is based on the ESR-15R router hardware platform. The solution combines routing and traffic protection capabilities with advanced functionality for configuring, managing, and monitoring wireless networks.

Static and dynamic routing is supported IPv4/; IPv6 Firewall by trust zones, by applications, and by L2/L3/L4 fields.

With additional licenses, you can expand the protection capabilities thanks to IDS/IPS and Kaspersky SafeStream II threat and intrusion detection systems.

Flexible authentication allows optimal control of Wi-Fi access according to enterprise security policies.

The controller allows RADIUS authentication using an external or local server. WPA2/WPA3 Personal and Enterprise encryption standards are supported.

In future updates, authorization of user groups on the wireless network through external LDAP directories will be available. This will simplify administration and make access to the corporate network more flexible.

One of the key advantages of the WLC-15 controller is the built-in Airtune system for managing the parameters of connected access points. It will help simplify their configuration and ensure optimal Wi-Fi performance even with a high density of client devices and a complex radio environment.

The functionality of the system includes automatic adjustment of radio parameters, selection of optimal channels and transmission power for access points, load balancing between them. The system provides seamless roaming of customers when moving around the enterprise in accordance with the 802.11k/v standard.

Thanks to Airtune, administrators get intelligent tools for building a high-performance and reliable Wi-Fi network based on WLC-15.