Trapeze Networks has announced that it will radically change the architecture of its Wireless LAN Mobility System. In a move contrary to the direction of the market for the past four years, the company is embracing a centrally managed distributed WLAN architecture. Is Trapeze's new Smart Mobile system a smart move, or a step back in time?

Is Thin Still in, or Is Fat Where It's At?

Trapeze Networks has announced a change in direction to move some level of intelligence back out to the Access Points (APs) in their system, while still maintaining central control of the WLAN operations. Trapeze's move to distribute more intelligence to the edge of the network runs contrary to the recent trend of housing the intelligence in a central wireless controller.

The primary arguments for central intelligence and "thin" APs focus around ease of management and security. Previously, distributed wireless networks were deployed using intelligent "fat" APs that were individually configured and operated...