Silex Technology, a global leader in wired and wireless networking solutions, announced the introduction and availability of its new enterprise Wi-Fi bridge, BR-330AC-LP, on September 7, 2022. The BR-330AC-LP is a wireless LAN bridge (station device) that supports the IEEE 802.11ac wireless communication standard and enterprise security. It accelerates IT/OT convergence by wirelessly bridging between legacy wired IP devices and secure enterprise IT network requiring 802.1X authentication. The BR-330AC-LP eliminates the need for copper wiring in building energy management systems and reduces the power consumption required for wireless connectivity in those applications. Silex’s broader Ethernet to Wi-Fi bridge product portfolio allows customers to select the optimal solution for each use case.
The convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) has emerged in the industrial IoT deployment. The OT was traditionally separated from IT and had different sets of requirements for security and deployment. In the IT segment, many enterprises rely on 802.1X for device authentication, while OT devices have not been equipped with 802.1X authentication capability. The 802.1X becomes the emerging topic for OT devices to connect with IT using 802.1X authentication. The silex enterprise Wi-Fi bridge allows users to securely connect non-802.1X capable devices to 802.1X IT enabled networks and Wi-Fi infrastructure.
How much power does BR-330AC-LP save:
The BR-330AC-LP reduces the power consumption by about 45% when transmitting the Wi-Fi data compared with another silex’s 802.11ac Wi-Fi bridge. The power consumption in its idle state is also reduced by about half. The BR-330AC-LP’s low power operation results in longer operation for battery-powered and mobile applications.
SD-330AC-LP Features:
- Single or Multi-client mode operations
- Seamless Ethernet traffic bridging in the single client mode
- IP traffic bridging with up to 16 Ethernet devices through Ethernet hub device
- Enterprise security
- 802.1X authentication
- MAC address filtering
- Password-protected device access
- Low Power Consumption
- Reduces the current draw from a battery
- Fast-roaming for mobility
- 802.11r, Fast BSS Transition
- Receiver power threshold setting
- Easy device configuration
- Built-in web portal for device configuration through Ethernet port
