WLAN firmware extends the useful life of wireless devices

30th October 2013

Belden

Staff Reporter

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Belden have today announced an industry first in the introduction of Hirschmann HiLCOS 8.8, with the new WLAN firmware supporting IPv6 as well as being able to extend the useful life of installed wireless devices. This device opens up new possibilities for using WLANin automation as Product Manager Pascal Unterdorfer explained: “The new HiLCOS 8.8 firmware opens up new possibilities for using WLAN in automation, for example, in power supply applications. These use public networks to control power distribution, making IPv6 routing an absolute must.”

Available as a free download, the HiLCOS 8.8 offers extensive management, redundancy and security functions.When used in conjunction with the hardware of the OpenBAT access points, HiLCOS 8.8 enables 450 Mbit/s WLAN connections for maximum stability and reliability. Most of the devices in the BAT54, BAT300 series and BAT controllers can have the firmware also installed.

HiLCOS 8.8 features a band steering function, which transfers clients’ radio communications to the 5 GHz frequency band if the 2.4 GHz band is overloaded, ensuring an uniterrupted service. In the 5 GHz frequency band it is also possible to carry out frequency analyses to determine whether any Bluetooth devices, wireless HART sensors or microwave ovens are using it.

IPv6 routers can be used to set up both WAN connections and hardware-encrypted VPN tunnels. The management functions available via LANconfig, LANmonitor and WLANmonitor include SNMPv2, Telnet, HTTP(S), SSL, serial COM port, (T)FTP and LLDP. Dual roaming, rapid spanning tree and port grouping ensure high network availability. In addition to WPA and WPA2, the data security features include all encryption methods compliant with IEEE 802.11i. Clients can be authenticated via IEEE 802.1x and RADIUS servers. Unauthorized access points that attempt to penetrate the network are detected via WLANmonitor using Rogue AP.