Frequently Asked Questions Nortel WLAN 2300 Series Launch

Version 1.0, March 22, 2005

Announcement Q&As
What is Nortel announcing on Wednesday, March 23, 2005?
Nortel is announcing a new WLAN portfolio - the WLAN 2300 Series - as the next step in our comprehensive vision for mobility. The WLAN 2300 Series will form the foundation of a WLAN infrastructure that is optimized for delivering voice, multimedia and data applications to move mobility services to the mainstream.

How does the new WLAN portfolio fit into Nortels Mobility vision?
The WLAN 2300 Series supports Nortels vision for mobility through the following attributes: > Designed specifically to support voice, data and multimedia enabling the Virtual Enterprise. > Optimized for mobile use on any device WLAN Handset, Mobile Voice Client, Blackberry handheld device, handheld PC. > Consistent, reliable, secure experience helping ensure transparency from wired to wireless environment and back again. > Best in class partnerships that support standards-based technology. > Enabling mobility for all enterprises from SMB to the largest global enterprise, via an expanded portfolio.

Is the new WLAN 2300 Series a direct replacement for the WLAN 2200 Series in the Nortel WLAN portfolio?
No, the WLAN 2200 Series is a solution for many customers looking to deploy data-optimized wireless networks today, while the WLAN 2300 series is the platform optimized for the rollout of voice, data and multimedia applications on a larger scale. Both solutions will co-exist in Nortels portfolio until the majority of customers are ready for the next stage evolution.

What is the status of Nortels relationship with Ekahau? Will Nortel continue to resell the Ekahau site survey software?
The resell relationship between Nortel and Ekahau remains strong. As is the case with the WLAN 2200 Series, Ekahaus site survey data files can be imported into the WLAN 2300 Series RF Planning tool to create precise and powerful RF mapping applications.

What new capabilities does the new WLAN 2300 portfolio bring to the solution set?
The WLAN 2300 Series will bring about a set of capabilities for the enterprise WLAN network not currently available with the WLAN 2200 Series. These include a family of switches for optimal deployment, switch and network redundancy features, traffic management tools for performance tuning, centralized user policy administration, and life cycle management tools all working together to enable the design, deployment, and maintenance of a cross-enterprise WLAN for voice, data and multimedia applications. Capabilities available with the WLAN 2200 Series to address the needs for RF and security management such as a centralized architecture, auto-RF, rogue management and secured roaming will also be available with the WLAN 2300 Series.

Will Nortel continue to support the WLAN 2200 Series in the Nortel WLAN portfolio? If so, how long will these products be shipped and supported?
Nortel is continuing to sell and support the WLAN 2200 Series in our portfolio. In fact, we are in the process of releasing v2.2 of the switching software that includes some unique features such as Nortel VPN Client (formerly known as Contivity) termination and Optivity management support. As with any Nortel products, all shipped products will be covered under standard warranty and support terms.

If customers are interested in evolving with Nortels new WLAN 2300 Series, are there any incentives from Nortel to facilitate transitions from the WLAN 2200 Series (such as rebates or discounts)?
We take our existing and future client WLAN investment as a serious long term partnership. Customers can work with their local sales team and channel partners as they evolve WLAN deployments and Nortel will make every effort to retain the trust of our clients.

WLAN 2300 Portfolio Q&As

Is the WLAN 2300 portfolio based on open standards?
As a key component of Nortels mobility vision, the WLAN 2300 portfolio is fully supportive of open standards where they exist. In addition to 802.11 a + b/g support, the portfolio will be certified for security standards such as 802.1X, 802.11i, WPA, WPA2, as well as emerging wireless QoS standards such as 802.11e and WMM. Where no standards exist today, the WLAN 2300 Series will deliver enhancements based on pre-standard implementation, with full intention to migrate to standards-based solutions when available.

How does Nortel ensure that the WLAN 2300 portfolio is optimized for performance, scalability, security and flexibility?
Performance, scalability, security and flexibility requirements for enterprise class solutions often translate to similar requirements in the system architecture. The software architecture of the WLAN Series was designed for portability and is largely processor and operating system independent. This means that all the inherent value in the software can be embedded in other network devices, and is portable to successive generations of hardware platforms to increase scale and performance while driving down the total cost. The WLAN 2300 Series is also designed to support RADIUS-based user policies for centralized control of security and QoS services, which can scale to carrier class deployments regardless of wired or wireless access methodologies.

How well does the new WLAN 2300 portfolio integrate with Nortels Mobile Adapters 2201/2202, WLAN Handsets 2210/2211, WLAN IP Telephony Manager 2245, and WLAN Application Gateway 2246 to deliver a complete mobility solution?
As a key component and advantage of Nortels mobility solutions, the WLAN 2300 Series will be fully tested with other Nortel WLAN components such as Mobile Adapters, WLAN Handsets, IP Telephony Manager and Application Gateways. Look for more mobility solution announcements to come from Nortel.

Does the WLAN 2300 portfolio address the requirements for RFID and Location service applications?
The WLAN 2300 Portfolio already supports Location services and will provide both location and user information through APIs for 3rd party application integration. RFID services and active RFID tags are planned for the WLAN 2300 Series.

Does the WLAN 2300 portfolio address the requirements for WLAN deployments in SMB markets (sub-20 to 200 users)?
One of the capabilities brought forth by the new WLAN 2300 portfolio from day one is a family of switches that can support as few as 3 APs ,to 12 APs, 40 APs, and up to 120 APs all with the same powerful WLAN functionality but at different cost points. Nortel believes this new WLAN portfolio will provide the most cost effective solutions for our largest customers, while creating opportunities for our channel partners to expand the SMB market.

Nortel is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities that enhance the human experience, ignite and power global commerce, and secure and protect the worlds most critical information. Serving both service provider and enterprise customers, Nortel delivers innovative technology solutions encompassing end-to-end broadband, Voice over IP, multimedia services and applications, and wireless broadband designed to help people solve the worlds greatest challenges. Nortel does business in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit Nortel on the Web at www.nortel.com. This is the Way. This is Nortel, Nortel, the Nortel logo, and the Globemark are trademarks of Nortel. All other trademarks are the property of their owners. Copyright 2005 Nortel Networks. All rights reserved. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Nortel assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.