Chantry Networks Champions Routed Wireless Networking at Wi-Fi Planet Conference & Expo.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CTIA Wireless 2004

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 18, 2004

Chantry's Luc Roy to Debate Core Differences between, and Benefits

of, Switched vs. Routed Wireless Networking 

Chantry Networks, the leading innovator of routed wireless networking technology, today announced that Senior Director of Product Management, Luc Roy will participate in a panel discussion on "The Great Gateway/Switch Debate" today at 3:00 p.m. EST during the Wi-Fi Planet Conference & Expo at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in Toronto (www.jupiterevents.com/wifi/canada04). Roy will join fellow industry experts for a closer look at the core differences between managing and connecting access points via switched and routed wireless LAN architectures.

Traditional WLAN architectures, based on a network of interconnected access points, suffered from the high expense required to acquire and manage a wireless network. This situation motivated the development of switched WLANs which, in turn, introduced concerns about reliability, management, scalability and security. Switches still live at the edge of the network, and managing a large number of switches is almost as challenging as managing distinct access points. During this panel debate, Chantry's Luc Roy will discuss how using a router in place of a switch allows a WLAN to be a full member of an enterprise network and leverages investments already made in an IP-based infrastructure.

This panel debate will also take place at the CTIA Wireless event at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta on March 22, 2004.

During this Wi-Fi Planet event, Roy also joined speakers from Dartmouth College and Computer Associates International on a panel discussion titled "Managing WLANs: The problems and the paybacks." During this session, panelists discussed the increasing complexity of WLAN security and scalability requirements - as wireless networks have transitioned from "nice to haves" to enablers of enterprise-critical applications for businesses of all sizes. Panelists also discussed ways in which enterprises can map their priorities and needs when evaluating, selecting, implementing and managing WLAN solutions.

Roy has 17 years of data networking and wireless experience, and has spent half his business career designing and consulting on networking projects around the world for both enterprise and carrier customers. Prior to joining Chantry, Roy designed several large networks for Northern Telecom and Wellfleet Communications. Roy has also worked for Bay Networks, and expanded his marketing and technical experience with several startups. He earned a degree in Computer Science from the Department of Science at Ottawa University. He has served on the ITU's SC-6 (sub-committee for OSI's CLNP routing protocol) and currently participates in the IETF, IEEE 802.11 and 802.17, and WiFi Alliance.

About Chantry Networks

Chantry Networks is the creator of BeaconWorks, an innovative, IP-based wireless LAN (WLAN) solution. Offering unprecedented scalability and availability, coupled with unique network virtualization features, BeaconWorks overcomes the obstacles inherent in traditional WLAN systems to provide enterprises and service providers with the first economical and practical solution for building seamless and pervasive wireless networks. Founded in April of 2002, Chantry Networks is headquartered in Boston with offices in Chicago, Denver, New York, San Francisco and Toronto. Chantry is backed by top-tier investors including Flagship Ventures, Primaxis Technology Ventures, Venture Coaches and Ventures West. For more information, visit Chantry Networks at www.chantrynetworks.com.