“WLAN Switch”…Or Just “Switch”?: Business WLAN Market Analysis

In-Stat/MDR, March 2005, Pages: 40

The enterprise WLAN equipment is undergoing a trend toward centralized management of 'thin APs' that feature less MAC-layer intelligence than traditional 'smart APs' and are controlled by specialized appliances known as 'WLAN switches' and 'WLAN controllers.' However, the overlay WLAN switch vendors, such as Symbol, Aruba, and Trapeze, who pioneered the WLAN switch market are facing a severe challenge from the integration of wireless management functionality into standard Ethernet wired switches.

This report examines the overall enterprise WLAN equipment market, with a special focus on the market for WLAN switches. Unit shipment and revenue market shares are provided for enterprise APs, external enterprise WLAN NICs and WLAN switches. Five-year forecasts, from 2004 – 2009, are provided for enterprise APs, external and internal WLAN NICs, and WLAN switches. Finally, brief vendor profiles are given.

This report will be particularly useful to product managers in WLAN enterprise equipment vendor companies, financial analysts covering the WLAN enterprise equipment market, and consultants advising clients in the WLAN enterprise equipment market.

Executive Summary

Methodology

Enterprise WLAN Market Overview

WLAN Market Segmentation

Enterprise WLAN Market Background

WLAN Switch Market Analysis

From Standalone Smart APs To Centrally Managed Thin APs

Overlay WLAN Switch Vendors Challenged By Wired/Wireless Switch Integration

Role Of Merchant Market Ethernet Switch Silicon Vendors

Future Prospects For Overlay WLAN Switch Vendors

A Path Toward Survival By Overlay WLAN Switch Vendors

Enterprise WLAN Equipment Vendor Market Shares: 2004

Enterprise WLAN Equipment Market Forecast: 2004 - 2009

Enterprise AP Market Forecast, 2004 - 2009

Enterprise NIC Market Forecast, 2004 - 2009

WLAN Switch Market Forecast, 2004 - 2009

Key Enterprise WLAN Equipment Vendor Profiles

List of Tables

Table 1. Enterprise AP, Enterprise External WLAN NIC, And WLAN Switch Unit Shipment Forecast, 2004 - 2009 (Units in Thousands)

Table 2. Vendor 2004 Enterprise AP Unit Shipments and Mfg Revenue

Table 3. Vendor 2004 Enterprise External NIC Unit Shipments and Mfg Revenue

Table 4. Vendor 2004 WLAN Switch Unit Shipments and Mfg Revenue

Table 5. Enterprise AP Unit Shipment Forecast, 2004 - 2009 (Units in Thousands)

Table 6. Enterprise AP Mfg Revenue Forecast, 2004 - 2009 (US$ in Millions)

Table 7. Smart AP/Thin AP Split Forecast, 2004 - 2009 (Units in Thousands)

Table 8. Enterprise AP Regional Forecast (Units in Thousands)

Table 9. Enterprise Embedded NIC/External NIC Split Forecast, 2004 - 2009 (Units in Thousands)

Table 10. Enterprise External NIC Unit Shipment Forecast, 2004 - 2009 (Units in Thousands)

Table 11. Enterprise External NIC Mfg Revenue Forecast, 2004 - 2009 (US$ in Millions)

Table 12. Enterprise External NIC Form Factor Forecast, 2004 - 2009 (Units in Thousands)

Table 13. Enterprise External NIC Regional Forecast, 2004 - 2009 (Units in Thousands)

Table 14. Enterprise Embedded NIC Unit Shipment Forecast, 2004 - 2009 (Units in Thousands)

Table 15. Enterprise Embedded Mini-PCI/ExpressCard NIC Split Forecast, 2004 - 2009 (Units in Thousands)

Table 16. WLAN Switch Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecast, 2004 - 2009
List of Figures

Figure 1. Bluesocket WLAN gateway network diagram

Figure 2. Diagram of the transfer of MAC-layer intelligence to the WLAN switch

Figure 3. WLAN switch versus WLAN controller network diagram

Figure 4. Enterprise AP Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecast, 2004 - 2009

Figure 5. Enterprise External NIC Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecast, 2004 - 2009

Figure 6. WLAN Switch Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecast, 2004 - 2009
Wi-FI,wireless switch,WLAN switch,WLAN

3Com Corporation

Aruba Wireless Networks

Cisco Systems

Colubris Networks

Enterasys Networks

Extreme Networks

Foundry Networks

HP

Intermec Technologies

Meru Networks

Proxim Corporation

Siemens

SOHOware

Symbol Technologies

Trapeze Networks

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