ARUBA NETWORKS TO OFFER WIRELESS NETWORKS TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT UNDER GENERAL DYNAMICS' NETCENTS PROGRAM
Sunnyvale, CA - August 16, 2006 - Aruba Networks, the Mobile Edge Company, today announced a joint marketing and reseller agreement with General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), under the U.S. Air Force Network Centric Solutions (NETCENTS) indefinite-delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract, to offer wireless LAN (WLAN) and mobility technology to the U.S. government. Working together under the U.S. Air Force NETCENTS program, General Dynamics has been designated by Aruba as a Strategic Solutions Partner to offer the federal government integrated WLAN platforms that deliver support for voice, security, and mobility.
NETCENTS is an IDIQ contract that offers the Air Force, the DoD, and other federal agencies a single vehicle through which they can buy network-centric information technologies, networking equipment and services, as well as voice, video and data communications hardware and software. Under the agreement announced today, the two companies will jointly offer a WLAN solution that meets new DoD mandates and incorporates Aruba's industry-leading Mobile Edge portfolio of WLAN mobility controllers and Access Points.
The Aruba Networks solution delivers wireless intrusion detection and protection, high performance, FIPS-validated 802.11i, and compliance with the new DoD directive, making them an ideal choice for the NETCENTS program.
"The addition of Aruba's innovative technology makes for a formidable NETCENTS team," said Merv Andrade, Aruba's chief technology officer. "General Dynamics Information Technology is a world class organization and we look forward to pursuing this market with such a clear leader."
Mobile Edge Ideal for the Federal Market
Aruba is the first and only vendor to offer an integrated system for the federal marketplace, including wireless intrusion detection and prevention, FIPS-validated Layer 2 and 3 encryption, and proven transition to FIPS 140-2 approved 802.11i. Recently approved by NIST, 802.11i is a WLAN security standard that significantly improves the security of WLAN communications when operating in the FIPS-approved Robust Security Network (RSN) mode. New WLAN policies from the DoD mandate that all network infrastructure and clients connected to the DoD Global Information Grid must be FIPS 140-2 approved for 802.11i and must meet a number of other requirements related to authentication, encryption, strong identification, wireless intrusion detection, and validation. Currently, Aruba is the only WLAN system that meets these requirements.
The market for wireless technology within the Federal government has gone from a complete moratorium on the use of Wi-Fi technology to using Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) technologies to enable wireless as a mainstream means of transport, and the adoption rate is strong. According to Gartner, Inc.'s July 2006 "Hype Cycle for Government, 2006," Wi-Fi has already been adopted by five to twenty percent of the target audience and is on the "Plateau of Productivity," which "represents the beginning of mainstream adoption, when the real-world benefits of the technology are demonstrated and accepted."