Press Releases

RSS Feed

Cornell University Selects BridgeWave as Preferred Provider for Wireless Network Hardening

Santa Clara, CA – October 28, 2008 – BridgeWave Communications, the leading supplier of gigabit wireless solutions, today announced that Cornell University deployed several gigabit wireless links as part of their network hardening strategy. Cornell selected BridgeWave's AR60 and AR60X products for reliable and uninterrupted campus connectivity, even during inclement weather or natural disaster situations. Additionally, the products' built-in Advanced Encryption Standards (AES) feature would protect University research from potential network tapping.

Founded in 1865 and located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell University is one of two private land grant universities, and a member of the prestigious Ivy League. With more than 20,833 enrolled students, Cornell University is recognized for its founders' revolutionarily egalitarian and practical vision of higher education.

After many nearby universities suffered massive network blackouts due to Hurricane Katrina, Cornell University went through an intensive network hardening exercise to strengthen its data network. Ed Kiefer, manager of data networking for Cornell, and his team sought a backup to ensure network reliability. The University's network consists of several miles of inlaid fiber and the team located a point of failure in the fiber network. In order to minimize potential connection problems, Kiefer initially researched a fiber solution; however the $2 million price tag was more than budgeted.

Kiefer researched other point-to-point wireless technologies; however most products provided insufficient bandwidth for data transfer. He finally identified three technologies, including BridgeWave's, and set up a ‘bake-off’ to determine the product that best supported Cornell's network. Ultimately, the University selected BridgeWave's 60 GHz products over another millimeter-wave manufacturer and a Free Space Optics (FSO) competitor.

BridgeWave's AdaptRate™ (AR) products were used to augment the vulnerable fiber link as well as to serve as backup for their other network links. Cornell was particularly interested in the products' built-in AES feature and the exclusive AdaptRate technology. The AR radios momentarily switch transmissions from GigE to 100 Mb/s data rates during intense or violent weather patterns or during moments of torrential downpour to maintain a highly available link.

“As an Ivy League institution, Cornell's network must run twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week in order to provide the ability to perform research at all times. Additionally, we wanted to develop a network system that would allow access to critical applications during emergency situations,” said Ed Kiefer, manager of data networking at Cornell University. “Security features are paramount in order to protect transmitted data. BridgeWave's AdaptRate links not only provide a solution to our previous network vulnerabilities, but also satisfy our disaster recovery initiatives. Our staff and students have gained access to a reliable and secure network connection, regardless of inclement weather.”

“Research-intensive institutions such as Cornell University demand secure and affordable fiber-equivalent network connectivity,” said Amir Makleff, president and CEO of BridgeWave. “Having Cornell's confidence in us to deliver a solution for such critical programs is very rewarding. Using BridgeWave's gigabit wireless links, Cornell's staff and students are more productive without fear of network outages.”

About BridgeWave Communications
Founded in 1999, BridgeWave Communications is the leading supplier of outdoor Gigabit wireless connectivity solutions. The company's exclusive AdaptRate™ and AdaptPath™ technologies combined with its advanced Forward Error Correction capability deliver the highest availability at the longest distances for full-rate gigabit links. BridgeWave's point-to-point, wireless solutions are widely deployed in mainstream enterprise and service provider network applications and are poised to play a key role in the migration to 4G mobile network backhaul. With the largest installed base of GigE radios worldwide, BridgeWave delivers the highest levels of product quality and reliability. For more information, visit www.bridgewave.com.