Colubris has come out with a new generation of products that it says work better than a wireless LAN switch platform: The new system consists of a fat AP coupled with a central management console for configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
Colubris says its architecture can be installed for one-third less cost than WLAN switch platforms. STSN may agree because it will add Colubris' access points to the list of gear it uses to build hotspots in hotels and conference centers.
Colubris' access points have embedded VPN servers and come 802.11i-ready.
While the WLAN switch makers like to say that the fat AP vs. thin AP debate is over and the thin AP has won, that's really not so. There are good reasons to put some intelligence at the AP to save on the backhaul required for communication between a thin AP and a backend switch. Ultimately both types of architectures may survive, each serving different groups of customers.