Tanaza for Open Mesh users

Tanaza: a smart cloud-based networking solution for Open-Mesh users

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about how Tanaza can be a smart alternative to give
a second chance to your already existing networks.

If you are an Open-Mesh user still wondering what is the best alternative for your Open-Mesh devices, keep reading this article to find out how Tanaza can give a second chance to your already existing networks.

In December 2021, most Open-Mesh devices would reach the end of life date, and the software would no longer offer any updates or firmware bug fixes on those products. Additionally, there would be no further technical support, and no hardware repair services would be available.

The only option for Open-Mesh customers will be to migrate to the Datto platform. This, however, comes at a high price, given the additional recurring expenses that the company’s business model provides. 

What if there was an alternative?

Tanaza enables centralized management on Open Mesh devices.

Tanaza is a WiFi cloud management platform for IT professionals to manage and operate remotely WiFi access points and networks. The Tanaza platform allows Open-Mesh users to quickly install, configure and monitor hundreds of access points via the cloud through an intuitive web interface accessible from computers, tablets, and smartphones.

Tanaza is vendor-agnostic. It has compatibility with the most popular Open-Mesh devices in the market. IT professionals can deploy and manage unlimited access points, mix and match devices from multiple brands like Ubiquiti, Mikrotik, TP-Link, and Ligowave, among others. 

Furthermore, thanks to partnerships with OEM vendors, the Tanaza Operating System can run out-of-the-box in selected devices from Comfast, Amer Networks, Intelbras, and DCN, for a plug-and-play experience. Still, IT professionals can manage all the devices from a single dashboard. Game-changer, right?

Why should you choose Tanaza for your Open Mesh deployments?

The Tanaza platform offers multiple functions, which allows you to significantly reduce the configuration and installation times of even complex WiFi networks:

Centralized configuration

Users can increase efficiency with Tanaza by configuring, managing and monitoring multiple organizations and WiFi networks, cloud-based access points, SSIDs, and client devices from a single platform.

Tanaza lets users set the basic configurations of the network applied by default to all the cloud-managed access points in that network. This feature ensures an issue-free, fast and easy provisioning of new access points, especially in large-scale WiFi networks. Additionally, in case of disconnection of an access point, due to a new configuration, the system automatically restores the last working settings of the WiFi access point to avoid disruptions in the network.

Remote monitoring

It is possible to monitor WiFi networks and control APs remotely. Tanaza enables users to check the WiFi network’s performance indicators thanks to real-time statistics at the WiFi network and access point level.

You can control how many client devices are currently associated with an SSID and how much bandwidth they are consuming and identify possible bottlenecks in bandwidth demand. Furthermore, oversee the access points’ health status, mostly if the number of connections requested increases. Reboot WiFi access points at a specific hour and weekday or schedule WiFi network maintenance to minimize slowness and load peaks after a long uptime. All of that avoids going on-site since no hardware controllers are required.

Cloud-based platform

Tanaza represents the best alternative to the on-premises and hybrid-cloud deployments because there’s no need for physical hardware controllers. It relies its cloud platform on the Amazon Web Services (AWS), guaranteeing the market’s highest security levels while running on a robust cloud infrastructure.

Tanaza takes care of many operations, including server maintenance, back-up, security patches, and fixes, and ensures the system’s high availability for minimum downtime and productivity losses.

Zero-touch deployment

Network administrators can set the network’s basic configurations, applied by default to all the cloud-managed access points in that network remotely, and send the APs pre-configured to the customer’s site for installation. It’s also possible to reconfigure access points without rebooting them or restarting the services, all from the Tanaza dashboard. Moreover, you can easily migrate from CloudTrax/Datto to Tanaza, thanks to the auto-provisioning and cloud configurations.

Intuitive user-interface

The Tanaza platform offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface: the deployment, configuration, and remote monitoring of WiFi networks become a child’s game even for those who have not the technical skills to handle the software.

Integrations

You can integrate third-party applications provided by official Tanaza Partners. Enable any external captive portal on top of the Tanaza cloud platform. 

The Tanaza platform integrates with the Classic Hotspot management system, a platform to manage and monitor public hotspots from the cloud. Customers can set up their free and paid hotspots through a captive portal and customizable splash pages, with social login and voucher-based authentication, to grant guests access to the WiFi.

Classic Hotspot also works as a useful marketing tool to collect information stored within the Analytics dashboard and segment users to run engaging marketing campaigns.  

Furthermore, if you are a Service Provider deploying large networks in emerging countries, Express Wi-Fi might be an ideal solution to generate revenues over WiFi. Tanaza is an Express Wi-Fi Technology Partner. The Tanaza WiFi cloud management software integrates seamlessly with the Express Wi-Fi platform to enable Service Providers to use a fully integrated solution to manage their network deployments coupled with the best-in-class monetization tools offered by Express Wi-Fi by Facebook. Learn more about Express WiFi to generate revenues over WiFi

Multi compatibility

The platform is compatible with multiple access points from multiple brands for indoor and outdoor deployments, medium and large scale. Tanaza is compatible with the most commercial networking brands and also it  has a line of selected devices that run the Tanaza firmware out of the box from sought-after OEMs. Discover the line of access points powered by Tanaza.

How will Tanaza make Open-Mesh users’ lives easier?

  1. Save on unexpected costs by extending the life of Open-Mesh devices. 
  2. Scale your networks by adding new access points compatible with the platform while still managing them from a single dashboard. 
  3. Access a wide variety of educational materials and online troubleshooting support. 
  4. Benefit from constant updates of the operating system to provide turnkey solutions, vulnerability patches, security, and stability.

Discover what Open Mesh customers say about Tanaza

End-User with an in-house IT team

Our recent customer Hotel Il San Pietro in Positano, adopted Tanaza as a solution for their Open-Mesh infrastructure, consisting of 60 Open Mesh A42 devices. They also added another 10 Ubiquiti Unifi devices to provide more coverage to missing areas. All that wouldn’t be possible without Tanaza.

​”Tanaza has been a great support for us, considerably speeding up the timing in resolving any possible issues. A win-win solution for everyone involved. I speak mainly from the guest experience point of view, and I admit that the customers were delighted.

Our IT team was also satisfied, managing everything with considerable ease compared to before. The previous difficulties were solved by looking “out of the box,” with a winning solution,” Andrea Zana, General Manager, Hotel Il San Pietro di Positano.

Managed Service Provider in Brazil

TB4U Tecnologia is a consulting company helping clients adopt the ultimate technological solutions for their business in Brazil. They have extended the life of all their Open-Mesh devices, with no need to dismantle their existing deployments of more than 50 Open-Mesh devices. As a result, they have saved around 80% on CAPEX by migrating their networks to Tanaza.

“​Tanaza allowed us to continue following our strategy of having the entire WiFi solution managed in the cloud after Datto acquired Open Mesh and announced the end of support for Open-Mesh customers. The Tanaza solution gave us the chance to take advantage of the existing infrastructure in use, and the hardware from different manufacturers all handled with single management software,” Camila Goulart, Sales Director, TB4U Tecnologia.

We are getting closer to the date when Open Mesh devices will have no support and will become legacy for Datto. With Tanaza, you can extend the life of your devices, reuse existing access points and scale your networks by adding any brand compatible with Tanaza.

Download the case study

Learn how Hotel Il San Pietro di Positano extended the life of their Open-Mesh devices with Tanaza without dismantling their networks.

Service Providers generate revenue with Express WiFi by Facebook and Tanaza

Service Providers Generate Revenue with Express Wi-Fi and Tanaza

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Wi-Fi is a powerful reality that is helping to generate revenue in emerging countries.

The ever increasing demand for more IoT devices and content like streaming videos and VR experiences is putting a strain on network infrastructures worldwide. However, access to the Internet in low-income countries remains a luxury.

In fact, high-quality Internet access creates new opportunities to connect people across communities. Furthermore, it generates new business opportunities to maximize revenues and reduce the digital gap between the connected and the unconnected.

Express Wi-Fi by Facebook and Tanaza allow Service Providers to bring connectivity in emerging countries while generating revenues over Wi-Fi. So, if you are a Service Provider keep reading and discover how to make the most out of this initiative.

Generate Revenue over WiFi

What is Tanaza?
Tanaza is an Italian company with over ten years in the Wi-Fi industry. It has developed an intuitive cloud-based platform for IT professionals to manage Wi-Fi networks and access points from a centralized dashboard. At the core of Tanaza’s technology is TanazaOS, a powerful Linux-based Operating System compatible with multiple hardware Wi-Fi access points.
What is Express Wi-Fi by Facebook?
A best in class SaaS platform that helps Service Providers (SPs) build, operate, grow, and monetize Internet access over Wi-Fi. The Express Wi-Fi platform comes with an innovative monetization portfolio, which helps launch and manage sustainable, high-quality Wi-Fi networks in emerging markets.

With Express Wi-Fi SPs can empower people around the world to connect to a faster, higher-quality, and more affordable Internet. Furthermore, it facilitates the user onboarding process through an app, available for iOS and Android, allowing end-users to buy data plans on-the-go.

For instance, Express Wi-Fi provides solutions for:

4G Coverage Gaps. In high-density population areas, Express Wi-Fi helps partners identify, deploy, and manage their footprint to complement their mobile offering.

Areas with Low 4G Adoption. While some people can connect, many cannot do so for diverse reasons. Express Wi-Fi offers different business and incentive features to help partners overcome this challenge.

Areas with 4G Congestion. By allowing for seamless roaming on a partner network, end-users will benefit from an always-connected state. As a result, the partner’s business will be able to better manage congested areas due to a better WiFi platform.

How can SPs generate revenue with Express Wi-Fi?

Express Wi-Fi is ideal for SPs looking to invest and scale their Wi-Fi portfolio to bring great Wi-Fi to people when and how they want it. Most importantly, Express Wi-Fi has the intelligence to help Wi-Fi operators to understand business performance, identify new segments, and execute sales initiatives for growth. 

Furthermore, Express Wi-Fi provides consumer-facing tools that allow SPs to engage with customers by leveraging a monetization lever portfolio to generate revenues over Wi-Fi. As a result, it brings maximum flexibility and optionality to SPs.

The Express Wi-Fi approach to generate revenue

There are two broad categories to generate revenue for Service Providers:
Direct: the end-user, customer, or subscriber pays when buying Internet data packs from the distribution channel, i.e.retailers.

  1. Home and SMBs, offering Wi-Fi data plans for homes and small businesses in fixed locations.
  2. Prepaid data packs. Service providers can introduce volume and time-based data packs and sell those to their subscribers.
Indirect: when a network is monetized by 3rd party options like Ads or sponsored Internet Access

  1. Recharge API and Vouchers. When end-users don’t have to pay for Internet access, recharge APIs and vouchers, provide bulk provisioning and distribution of datapacks. Ideal for Doctor’s clinics, youth hostels, coffee shops.
  2. Sponsored Hotspots. It provides customized, branded captive portals ideal for businesses to improve brand visibility and rollout marketing campaigns.
  3. Ads. Express Wi-Fi provides ad-sponsored networks via banner and video ads, a popular monetization method in public networks.

Key Benefits of Express Wi-Fi

  1. Achieve better utilization and profitability from a portfolio of monetization levers
  2. Leverage Machine Learning and advanced analytics for optimal network deployment
  3. Integrate with existing networks, thanks to Technology Partners like Tanaza
  4. Reduced footprint thanks to the cloud-based SaaS model, and thus faster time to market.
  5. Lastly, access to a broad ecosystem of ‘off-the-shelf’ access points thanks to Partners’ multi-vendor compatibility like Tanaza.

The Express Wi-Fi users

Partners (Service Providers)

Through the Partner portal, Service Providers –known to Express Wi-Fi as partners, are enabled to perform end-to-end management of retailers, distributors, sales representatives, and brand ambassadors. Also, the insights tab displays business metrics data of crucial elements within the platform to improve hotspots’ performance.

In addition, have full control over revenue generation. For instance, the monetization feature displays insights about the revenue data from different monetization tools and provides SPs with opportunities to maximize revenue where and when it is needed.

facebook-express-wifi-business-dashboard

Express Wi-Fi Partner’s portal
Image courtesy of Express Wi-Fi by Facebook

Retailers

Express Wi-Fi also relies on local business owners operating Wi-Fi hotspots that customers (end-users) nearby can pay to access higher-speed bandwidth using local SPs. 

In fact, Retailers are the partners’ local representatives and are the point of contact for end-users to buy data and learn about the service. As a result, Service Providers can manage Express Wi-Fi retailers, distributors, sales reps, and brand ambassadors. Also, view their details and information, and perform actions such as adding new retailers, managing their balance, and editing their location information.

Retailers have a different interface that enables them to manage their Express Wi-Fi account, sell data packs to new or recurring customers, keep track of transactions, and perform top-ups.

Generate Revenue with Express WiFi - Retailer Portal

Express Wi-Fi Retailer’s portal
Image courtesy of Express Wi-Fi by Facebook

Customers (end-user)

Customers or end-users are the ones who purchase or get access to the Internet service offered by the Express Wi-Fi partner. 

Service Providers can manage Express Wi-Fi customers, invite customers, view their details and information, reply to customer data requests, apply vouchers and send messages. 

Actually, Customers need to download the Express Wi-Fi app (available for iOS and Android) to buy data packs and find nearby hotspots more easily. The App enables customers to purchase data packs or view their purchase history. In addition, Customers can perform actions like watching ads or invite friends to join Express Wi-Fi to earn free data and locate Wi-Fi zones.

Typically, Customers access Express Wi-Fi hotspots by signing up with a participating retailer and purchasing a prepaid data pack. Therefore, by using Express Wi-Fi hotspots, Partners can quickly expand their services and provide faster, more affordable connectivity to rural and urban areas.

Generate Revenues with Express WiFi - Customer Interface

Express Wi-Fi Customer’s portal
Image courtesy of Express Wi-Fi by Facebook

Where is Express Wi-Fi available?

Tanaza, a Technology Partner of Express Wi-Fi

Tanaza integrates seamlessly with Express Wi-Fi allowing SPs to have a full overview and management of APs while generating revenues with the Express Wi-Fi platform. 

Certainly, this partnership empowers Service Providers to configure, manage and troubleshoot unlimited access points and networks for Express Wi-Fi deployments. In short, is a win-win partnership.

Tanaza Firmware

The Tanaza Wi-Fi cloud infrastructure has 99.99% reliability. In fact, its technology is based on the Linux-based TanazaOS™ operating system, which is compatible with various brands’ access points. As a result, TanazaOS supports a wide range of chipsets, such as Qualcomm Atheros and Mediatek, based on ARM and MIPS CPUs. 

Most importantly, Tanaza’s multi compatibility gives SPs the freedom to choose the device of preference from our compatible list. 

Alternatively, when deploying new Wi-Fi networks, SPs have at their disposition the line of performing and cost-effective Tanaza Powered Devices. In addition, these devices come with the TanazaOS firmware already installed for a plug and play experience, guaranteeing high-efficiency levels and a considerable reduction of TCO.

Tanaza enables Service Providers to deploy Express Wi-Fi in emerging countries and connect rural areas while generating extra revenues over Wi-Fi networks.

Tanaza Architecture

First of all, Tanaza’s communication architecture and protocols have been designed to ensure the highest levels of security and reliability. As a result, the traffic coming from client devices and access point management, which passes through a 256-bit SSL encrypted tunnel, are entirely separated for safety. Furthermore, Tanaza domains are certified, and the platform is hosted on Amazon Web Services to ensure the highest levels of reliability in the market.

Manage your networks with Tanaza and generate revenue with Express Wi-Fi

In conclusion, Tanaza allows SPs to make substantial savings due to the elimination of expensive hardware controllers in the architecture. Also, it significantly reduces on-site maintenance interventions. Besides, compared to other professional solutions available in the market, Tanaza’s flexible licensing system allows you to reduce CAPEX significantly. 

Above all, the Tanaza platform is a SaaS that empowers SPs to manage networks from a centralized dashboard. Furthermore, the zero-touch provisioning feature allows remotely installing and configuring multiple APs. As a result, it ensures that the setup procedure is the same for all access points, regardless of the hardware brand.

In addition, Tanaza’s platform is user-friendly and intuitive; thus, no expertise is needed. The configuration and simplicity of Tanaza allow SPs to scale how and when they need it unlimitedly. 

Thanks to Express Wi-Fi Partners like Tanaza, Service Providers can offer better connectivity experiences to shops and businesses run by local entrepreneurs, with a broader range of compatible devices to choose from. So, SPs can generate extra revenues over WiFi in multiple ways.

Related articles:

 

Express wifi by facebook

WiFi Hotspot Monetization with Express Wi-Fi by Facebook and Tanaza

https://www.tanaza.com/blog/facebook-connectivitys-express-wi-fi-technology-partner-program/

Load balancing

Understanding Load Balancing for Network Performance


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What is Load Balancing?

Load Balancing is the process of distributing network traffic across multiple WiFi access points. In this way, any access point handles too many client devices connected to the same device.

By distributing the load evenly, load balancing helps to improve the responsiveness of applications. Furthermore, users can have greater availability of applications and websites.

Wireless networks are getting more and more popular and have become an essential part of our lives with the ever-increasing use of IoT devices. The reality is that users expect high-quality connectivity in all scenarios, especially in public spaces with crowded networks and multiple concurrent users downloading and uploading content simultaneously.

Hundreds of devices want to connect to a network comprised of multiple access points and a limited spectrum. For all of those devices to receive a decent connection quality, throughput, and delay, there shouldn’t be access points overloaded. Otherwise, it would not be easy to provide service for each client device connected to the network.

Load balancing and the IEEE 802.11 standard

The IEEE 802.11 standard specifies that the client device decides which access point to connect to. In high-density environments, the client device’s choice to connect to one or another AP can lead to an AP overload. It might also lead to oscillations in the AP association as a client device has limited data about the network’s performance.

Also, since it doesn’t collaborate with other client devices before connecting to an AP on another, it creates overload easily. This whole mix provides the recipe for undesired behavior for load balancing, as there is no control over the client devices.

How does load balancing work?

Load balancing ensures that client devices are distributed evenly, so no single AP is simultaneously overloaded with too many client devices. Therefore, the total number of client devices can be served by various APs, delivering better performance and an improved user experience.

If a client device wants to connect to an access point, it sends a “request of association” to the AP. If the access point is already overloaded with client devices connected, it will deny the client device’s association request. The client device then would have to resent a request of association to a nearby access point that it has more space to grant a “room” to the client.

A network with multiple access points shares the client devices’ load information. Load balancing is a mechanism that can exist in distributed architectures in which all the access points communicate with one another. Or in a centralized architecture that uses a WLAN controller.

It optimizes throughput for all client devices by continually optimizing user associations to give each client device optimal throughput. This improves the throughput for each client device and dynamically balances the client load for the network.​

Load Balancing: Before vs After

When do you need load balancing?​

Load balancing is an ideal setting to enable in high-density environments in which roaming is not necessary. For instance, a theatre room with multiple access points installed in the same open space. In a deployment of this type, the client device will hear all the access points and load balancing in this scenario is a must.

On the contrary, when it comes to deployments in which roaming is the star, load balancing is not the right approach as it would cause client devices to become sticky and stay associated with the access point way longer than it should. In this type of scenario, where roaming is a must, having load balancing can be detrimental for the roaming process. So be aware of the settings.

Hardware vs. Software Load Balancing

Load balancing typically comes in two flavors: hardware and software-based. Vendors of networking hardware load proprietary software into the device provided, which often uses specialized processors that activates the load balancing capabilities. Software solutions like Tanaza generally run on open standard networking hardware. You can install the Tanaza operating system on a compatible access point of your choice and manage the device from a single control plane.

Tanaza supports 802.11v. Besides helping to preserve the device battery life, this standard also allows the WiFi network to influence the device’s behavior, providing the information of nearby access points (like their load), optimizing client transition to the best identified AP. Activating this capability for the ideal scenario efficiently balances the number of devices connected to an access point. It also helps to direct poorly connected devices to the best AP.

If you are a Tanaza user and would like to activate 802.11v to improve the load balance of client devices in your networks, read this article to learn how to activate 802.11v within the Tanaza platform.

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Tanaza OS

Vendor Lock In in the networking industry

Vendor Lock-In in the networking industry


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about the vendor lock In in the
networking industry

Vendor lock-in

Vendor lock-in is the relationship of dependence established between a customer and a supplier of goods or services, such as to prevent the customer from purchasing similar goods or services from an alternative supplier without incurring high costs or significant risks.

In the fast-changing world of technology, it’s increasingly important to rely on flexible and up-to-date partners and services. For this reason, more and more companies are experimenting with next-generation services and platforms in search of the best price/performance compromise to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) and improve productivity.

However, if performance, reliability, and cost can be considered elements to be placed on the balance, then, it’s good to pay attention to what may be the contractual or technological constraints that a particular provider imposes on the customer. This means hardware/software/cloud platforms or any other contractual and management mechanisms that can generate a real “lock-in” for those who buy a service.

Open infrastructure against lock-in logics

In the IT sector, this terminology usually implies the customer’s choice towards a service provider. This decision, often made based on downward economic considerations can, over time, prove to be more demanding than others and involve constraints that are difficult to unblock. The more a provider owns unique and indispensable elements, the more this bond becomes complex to loosen. The supplier-customer relationship is strongly biased in favor of the former.

In this way, the provider can more easily impose contractual changes, quotes, or additional parts, knowing that a possible exit would be too difficult for the customer. Despite a first, unreal advantage deriving from committing all practices to a single supplier, lock-in shows its pitfalls in a relatively long time. It can represent a severe obstacle to the efficiency of the systems. Procuring and purchasing goods and services from a single provider tends to create a monopoly situation. In these cases, it is not always the best or cheapest solution to be chosen.

As suggested in the European Interoperability Framework, it would always be desirable to better focus on open platforms. The document, which aims to improve public services’ interoperability in the European Union, emphasizes that “the Digital Agenda can only take off if interoperability based on standards and open platforms is ensured.”

Open infrastructures are the ones that least lend themselves to lock-in logics. The design of operational architectures should start from this consideration to develop models that allow the creation of reliable systems with a high rate of compatibility, portability, and maintainability. In particular, maintenance must play a fundamental role in creating procedures and systems and represents the degree to which a product or a platform can be modified and improved. Therefore, it’s possible to avoid any lock-in by appropriately studying the initial costs of service and carefully analyzing the TCO in the long term.

Problems related to vendor lock-in systems

Several factors can affect a business when they’re locked in with a particular cloud vendor:

• If a vendor’s service quality depreciates, the client will be stuck with it.
• The vendor could change their product offerings at some point so that they no longer meet a business’s needs.
• A vendor could go out of business altogether.
• A vendor could impose substantial price increases for the service, aware that their clients are locked in.

What does ‘vendor lock-in’ mean in the networking industry?

The WiFi networking market is ruled by a few vendors (Cisco, HPE-Aruba, Ubiquiti, Huawei, and CommScope —formerly known as ARRIS/Ruckus), who hold 75% of the market share. Their product offerings consist of various networking devices, such as switches, indoor and outdoor access points, controllers, and routers.

These players offer vertically-integrated solutions with their hardware running on a proprietary operating system, which works only with their products. Their intent is to set lock-in limitations with high switching costs to make their customers dependable on them. This approach progressively increases IT deployment costs for organizations, slows down innovation, and ultimately ruins the user experience.

The Legacy Networking Model

The Internet of the future will emerge from the confluence of new network concepts and combined technologies, services, and media. It will offer flexibility and variety with scalable content and services accessible through a wide range of interfaces and devices.

However, the biggest challenge nowadays is how to propose these new approaches so that they can be verified without sacrificing the current production infrastructure. Consequently, Legacy networks need to be replaced/upgraded, or refined, employing expensive network re-engineering.

Traditional internet networks result from different protocols that, in most cases, are defined in an isolated way, addressing particular issues or technological fixes. As a result, there is a stack of protocols and overlays, making network management very complicated.

Indeed, the physical network structure itself shows a higher complexity as well. Also, proprietary implementations increase compatibility issues in multi-vendor circumstances. Different vendors with proprietary protocols and specific configurations result in complex situations with clear network restraints.

Furthermore, monitoring and administering all this network equipment managed mainly in a distributed manner makes it even more complicated. The demand for better network structures has encouraged vertically-integrated companies to manufacture more hardware equipment with planned device obsolescence. This approach progressively increases costs for organizations as legacy products need to be replaced more often. The device becomes obsolete not because it ceases to perform as it should, but mainly because the software that allows managing the device stops being updated by the manufacturer.

Importance of hardware and software disaggregation for network deployments.

The vendor-agnostic system has been conceived to challenge the hardware replacement and vendor lock-in culture and shift to a sustainable and circular business model. The freedom of choice without vendor lock-in constraints brings substantial savings due to removing expensive hardware controllers in the infrastructure and on-site maintenance interventions.

The disaggregation concept embraces the open-source approach, where WiFi solution providers can decouple their hardware choice from their software choice. This trend has already been booming in other industries such as the computer and mobile markets.

Enterprises are more and more moving towards software-defined networks developed on open-standards. In the WiFi industry, disaggregation of hardware and software enables WiFi professionals to control their costs better when deploying or upgrading WiFi networks, with consistent CAPEX and OPEX savings, thanks to multi-vendor compatibility.

What role disaggregated networks will play in the rollout of 5G networks?

Cost savings and deployment flexibility are the best benefits of disaggregated infrastructures, but managing their evolution and complexity are the biggest concerns. In the Network operators view, the most significant advantage of disaggregation is CAPEX reduction, followed by OPEX savings and deployment flexibility. The most important considerations are how to manage the migration from legacy equipment to disaggregated networks and deal with additional complexity.

The evolution of next-generation 5G networks introduces structural changes in the radio access network (RAN) and a core network that will significantly impact how operators design and provision services. The WiFi network will need to meet the higher capacity and lower latency demands of 5G and flexibly adapt to diverse traffic flows to support a growing variety of use cases.

A key solution that seems to enable future networks is disaggregation.

Some operators have already started to launch 5G networks in North America and Asia, and more launches are expected in the upcoming years. The earliest deployments focus on enhanced mobile broadband services and fixed wireless access, making the first 5G services and networks much like existing ones, but with faster broadband speeds.

Afterward, 5G deployments are expected to implement more of the specified structural changes to support a broader range of services, some that require extremely low latency and high availability.

By 2025, GSMA expects to be 1.4 billion 5G connections, accounting for 15% of global mobile connections. Most of those 5G connections will mostly be in China, Japan, and the U.S.
In the current first steps of 5G rollouts, operators are already thinking about how to evolve their networks to meet new demands for capacity, latency, and a remarkably assorted set of service use cases.

When it comes to the advantages that operators expect from disaggregation in WiFi networks, the top three benefits are CAPEX savings, OPEX savings, and deployment flexibility. They are relying on disaggregation to achieve those goals but most cost-effectively and flexibly possible.
Other essential pros for operators involved are open application programming interfaces (APIs) for greater innovation, cost-efficient scalability, and support for new revenue-generating services. This suggests operators are focused not only on the potential cost savings of disaggregated networks but also on the capabilities that will bring new revenues.

On the other hand, users seem most worried about managing the migration from existing legacy devices to disaggregated networks when considering disaggregation challenges. Their next most significant difficulty is dealing with additional complexity in monitoring, configuring, and managing disaggregated network elements with a wider variety of vendors.

Tanaza, a pioneer of hardware and software disaggregation

Tanaza has developed a comprehensive and flexible WIFi cloud-managed platform for IT professionals to manage WiFi networks. At the core of Tanaza’s technology is TanazaOS, a powerful Linux-based Operating System compatible with multiple wireless access points’ brands.

Thanks to the software and hardware disaggregation philosophy, Tanaza enables users to run TanazaOS on any white-box and open-hardware ‘off-the-shelf’ Wi-Fi access point. This gives Enterprises and Carriers the power to decouple their hardware of choice from the software, with considerable cost savings and efficiency advantages.

At the same time, Tanaza software capabilities help break the lock-in barriers of vertically-integrated solutions imposed by top players brands and extend the life of devices that manufacturers purposely built to last only a few years.

Tanaza gives users the freedom to use different brands’ access points, reducing costs considerably. In this way, by reusing existing WiFi infrastructure, Tanaza enables customers to lower the network’s capital investment cost.

The Tanaza WiFi platform is compatible with multiple access points from multiple brands for indoor and outdoor deployments. Also, it has a curated selection of Tanaza Powered Devices with the Tanaza software already installed. The line of cloud-managed Tanaza Powered Devices suits a direct plug & play, out of the box experience.

Tanaza pioneered the disaggregation of hardware and software in the networking industry with its WiFi cloud management solution. Alongside other organizations like the Telecom Infra Project (TIP), Tanaza strives to bring the unbundling concept to the WiFi networking industry. Up to date, no other company has tried to address the market’s needs with an open solution that can work with multiple devices, like Tanaza.

Furthermore, Tanaza is an official Express Wi-Fi by Facebook Technology Partner, the best in class platform for WiFi hotspot monetization in emerging countries. This means that the Tanaza WiFi cloud management software integrates seamlessly with the Express Wi-Fi platform. Service Providers can use a fully integrated solution to manage their network deployments and the utmost monetization tools offered by Express Wi-Fi.

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Advantages of Cloud Managed WiFi SaaS for Wi-Fi business

Advantages of Cloud Managed WiFi SaaS for Wi-Fi business

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about the advantages of cloud managed
WiFi SaaS for Wi-Fi business.

Cloud managed WiFi services is the infrastructure, platform, or software hosted by third-party vendors and available for users through the internet. 

In the traditional standard system of services or resources, the infrastructure owner is responsible for managing every part of the hardware and software used. Traditional infrastructure is often related to outdated technologies that can’t be easily migrated into the cloud. Flexibility, standardization, and all cloud advantages are not always enough reasons to migrate. In other cases, strict business security and regulations sometimes force users to have data located nearby or under total management control. 

However, cloud managed WiFi as-a-Service solutions have a lot to offer and are regarded as a valid alternative to the older systems. If they are correctly used, they will help businesses save money, time, and staff. Actually, with the elimination of problems like service maintenance and potential issues, these resources can contribute to much greater productivity and performance.

Main types of Cloud-managed WiFi services

There are three main types of as-a-Service solutions: IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. Each facilitates user data flow from front-end customers through the internet, the cloud service provider’s systems, and back. But, the service they offer differs from one another.

IaaS

Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) indicates that a cloud service provider manages the infrastructure for you through an internet connection. The user has access through an API or dashboard and basically rents the infrastructure.

The provider takes care of any hardware, networking, hard drives, data storage, and servers. It has the responsibility of managing all outages, improvements, and hardware issues. This is the typical deployment model of cloud storage providers.

PaaS

Platform as a service (PaaS) involves the hardware and the software platform provided and managed by an outside third-party cloud service provider. Still, the user handles the apps running on top of the platform, and the data the app relies on.

PaaS gives users a shared cloud platform for application development and management without the need for building and maintaining the infrastructure.

SaaS

Software as a service (SaaS) is a service to deliver software applications, managed by the cloud service provider, to its users. Typically, SaaS apps are web applications or mobile apps that users can access via a web browser. Software updates, bug fixes, and other general software maintenance are handled for the user, and they connect to the cloud-managed WiFi applications via a dashboard or API. SaaS also eliminates the need to have an app installed locally on each user’s computer, allowing a larger group or team access to the software.
Customers can deploy SaaS in one of three different models: Private, Public, or Hybrid cloud.

For more detailed information about the differences between Private, Public, and Hybrid cloud, please have a read to our related blog article.

Cloud-based WiFi management providers offer a responsive and easy-to-use solution to manage WiFi networks from the cloud. Today, many companies generally accept SaaS models that want to benefit from application usage without maintaining and updating infrastructure and components. The flexibility of the SaaS is a huge benefit.

Although it’s a deviation from the conventional purchasing software method, SaaS can bring significant advantages in the business environment. As cloud computing integration advances, many software providers are adding SaaS solutions to lead to enormous gains.

Benefits of using cloud-managed WiFi SaaS

SaaS provides a different reliable option to standard software installation in a business. In the traditional model, users have to build the server, install the application, and configure it. Instead, the applications run on a remote cloud network accessed through the web, and it works like a rental. So, organizations can use it for a certain period and pay for the software they are using.

With software as a service (SaaS), customers will be able to manage WiFi networks anytime, anywhere on a wide range of devices.

 

The top advantages of using SaaS are:

Reduced time

SaaS implies quick setup and deployment. SaaS applications are already installed and configured in the cloud. This minimizes common delays resulting from often lengthy traditional software deployment.

Furthermore, maintenance responsibilities are shifted from IT departments to the vendor itself. This reduces extra work hours and downtime that might have been necessary to upgrade traditional software. 

The Tanaza WiFi cloud platform lets users set the basic configurations of the network, which is applied by default to all the cloud-managed access points. This feature ensures an issue-free, fast and easy provisioning of new access points in small, medium, and large-scale WiFi networks, without waste of time. 

Also, Tanaza has a line of cloud-managed access points with the Tanaza software already installed. So, you don’t even need to download the firmware. In this way, the Tanaza Powered Devices suits a perfect plug-and-play user experience.

Lower costs

SaaS can provide remarkable savings for several different reasons. First, it eliminates the upfront cost of purchase and installation, plus on-going costs like maintenance and upgrades. Instead of spending huge sums of money on hardware installations, SaaS applications can be easily downloaded and maintained. 

Furthermore, subscription-based models allow businesses to pay for only what they are using and not pay for unused licenses. SaaS can be especially advantageous for small businesses because it provides access to expensive, high-powered software that might have been otherwise inaccessible with standard purchasing methods. Also, the subscription-based process eliminates the high financial risk of expensive software.

All costs will be distributed as predictable monthly or annual payments, depending on the payment plan. There are no additional surprise costs or extra charges. Organizations can always rely on their allocated budget for that solution. 

The Tanaza software allows you to make substantial savings due to the elimination of expensive hardware controllers in the infrastructure and on-site maintenance interventions. Moreover, disaggregation of software and hardware will enable users to control their costs better when deploying WiFi networks, with consistent CAPEX and OPEX reduction, thanks to Tanaza’s multi-vendor compatibility.

Scalability and integration

The subscription-based model provides fantastic flexibility. Because the software is hosted by a third-party vendor, changing your subscription plan is easy and can be done without advance notice. Additionally, web-based use allows subscribers to access the software easily from any location with internet capabilities.

With Tanaza, you can enjoy different pricing plans according to your business’ needs. If your business begins to grow, add any additional licenses immediately to the system. In this way, the solution can grow with you, at your own pace. Your subscription plan covers unlimited networks, clients connected, organizations and SSID’s. Software costs are, therefore, manageable and predictable.

Zero-Touch Deployment and configuration

Instead of your company maintaining its software and servers, SaaS stores, protects, and recovers your data remotely. 

With Tanaza, network administrators can set the network’s basic configurations, applied by default to all the cloud-managed access points in that network remotely. Additionally, it’s possible to reconfigure access points without rebooting them or restarting the services, all from the Tanaza dashboard.

Upgrades

The traditional model usually requires the purchase of updates and their installation. Instead with SaaS, the provider upgrades the software for the customer, so the costs and bonds associated with updates and new versions are lower.

The SaaS providers handle hardware and software updates, deploying upgrades centrally to the hosted applications, and removing this responsibility from end-users.

The Linux-based TanazaOS™ operating system is at the core of the platform and is continuously subject to upgrades in order to meet the needs of users.

Full Mobility

With the remote monitoring feature, Network operators have full mobility in the workforce. They can have complete control over the networks, managing and monitoring them from anywhere worldwide.

The Tanaza cloud-managed WiFi platform enables users to monitor the WiFi network’s performance indicators thanks to real-time statistics at the WiFi network and access point level.

Increased Security

SaaS providers invest a lot in security technology and expertise. Data is secure in the cloud, so equipment failure doesn’t result in loss of data.

Tanaza cloud infrastructure is designed to ensure top-level security and reliability. The platform is hosted on the highly secure Amazon Web Services (AWS), and its domains are SSL certified. Furthermore, Tanaza completely separates client traffic and management traffic through a secure encrypted tunnel to provide additional security.

Accessibility

All you need to use a SaaS application is a browser and a connection to the Internet. They can run via the Internet 24/7 from any device. This makes SaaS more accessible than the traditional business software installation.

The centralized configuration and monitoring of the cloud-managed Tanaza platform enable customers to access any service provided easily. SaaS, and more widely cloud computing, can help you make the most of a restricted IT budget while giving you access to the most advanced technology and professional support.

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Related articles:

 

Public Cloud vs Private Cloud vs Hybrid Cloud

Cloud WiFi Management Software for Enterprise

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