OpenLAN is an advanced, open-source network solution designed to provide a comprehensive, disaggregated Local Area Network (LAN) system.
It expands on the foundational success of OpenWiFi by incorporating not only WiFi infrastructure but also enterprise-grade Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches, offering a fully integrated and scalable solution for network providers.
But to fully grasp the impact of OpenLAN, it’s crucial to first understand the foundation it’s built on: OpenWiFi.
What is OpenWiFi?
OpenWiFi, which launched three years ago, set the stage for open and disaggregated network software solutions. It is an open-source system consisting of a cloud controller SDK and enterprise-grade firmware for WiFi Access Points (APs).
The initiative has already reached a major milestone, with over 100,000 OpenWiFi APs deployed worldwide.
By allowing service providers to select "best-of-breed" components, OpenWiFi offers significant cost savings and eliminates vendor lock-in, making it an attractive choice for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), startups, and smaller businesses.
For example, Boingo Wireless has adopted OpenWiFi for its WiFi 6E networks, which are used in high-traffic environments like airports and stadiums. This has enabled Boingo to seamlessly mix and match access points and controllers from any OpenWiFi-compliant manufacturer, ensuring scalability and network performance improvements. This technology is also used to meet the increasing demands for WiFi and 5G convergence in commercial and public spaces.
What sets OpenLAN apart?
While OpenWiFi primarily focuses on providing a customizable Wi-Fi infrastructure, OpenLAN builds on this model by adding critical elements such as enterprise-grade PoE switches.
This makes OpenLAN a complete solution for building open and disaggregated LANs that can scale to suit a wide variety of environments - from small offices to large-scale public venues like stadiums and airports.
OpenLAN is also fully open-source, offering community-developed software that includes a cloud SDK, enterprise-grade Access Point firmware, and PoE++ switch firmware, all designed to work seamlessly together.
This approach ensures that network providers can build flexible, customizable networks, integrating components as needed to meet specific deployment requirements.
The future of OpenLAN
The adoption of OpenLAN is rapidly increasing, with deployments already spanning multiple regions and verticals, from multi-dwelling units and industrial sites to public spaces like airports.
Major companies such as EPS Global, WorldVue, Nova Labs, and AT&T are leading the charge in deploying OpenLAN across their networks.
As OpenLAN gains momentum, it’s expected to become a standard solution for large-scale public deployments and complex network environments.
Industry leaders will discuss its expanding role at FYUZ 2024 in Dublin later this month, where executives from EPS Global, WorldVue, Nova Labs, and AT&T will share their experiences.
OpenLAN represents the next phase of open-source network solutions, offering a robust, flexible, and scalable platform that builds on the success of OpenWiFi.
By providing a comprehensive LAN solution that integrates Wi-Fi and PoE switching, OpenLAN is set to play a significant role in the future of global enterprise connectivity.
