Once regarded merely as a convenience, Wireless LANs (WLANs) are rapidly becoming the primary access technology at the edge of today's mission critical networks. This growing reliance on WLANs demands a comprehensive management solution that simplifies everyday operations, enhances security, and maximizes network availability while delivering the capacity to handle large networks, including those with many branch offices. All of these needs are addressed by the CiscoWorks Wireless LAN Solution Engine (WLSE).The CiscoWorks WLSE is part of the Cisco Structured Wireless-Aware Network framework for deploying, maintaining, and monitoring a secure, fully integrated, enterprise-class wireless LAN infrastructure. This framework brings together intelligence in CiscoWorks network management, Cisco Aironet Series access points and bridges, Cisco IOS Software, the Cisco Wireless Security Suite, Cisco Aironet wireless LAN client adapters, and Cisco compatible client devices available from other vendors. This unique Cisco framework introduces "wireless-aware" capabilities into Cisco IOS Software to extend the WLAN to the same level of security, scalability, and reliability that customers have come to expect in a wired LAN.The CiscoWorks WLSE is a centralized, turnkey solution for managing the entire Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN infrastructure. A single CiscoWorks WLSE gives administrators visibility into the WLAN without the need for any special sensors, add-on devices, or so-called wireless switches. Key features like AutoConfig, mass configuration, and firmware updating significantly reduce the time and resources needed for administration and troubleshooting, even when hundreds or thousands of access points or large numbers of remote sites are involved.The CiscoWorks WLSE proactively monitors the availability and the performance of access points and bridges, sending notifications when conditions are degraded. Troubleshooting and capacity planning tools include group utilization and client association reports, while deployment and operations are made easy with mechanisms for configuring and updating firmware on access points and bridges in mass.The new CiscoWorks WLSE hardware model CWWLSE-1130-K9 contains a faster processor, additional memory and software improvements that support as many as 2,500 access points and bridges per solution engine. Larger networks are supported by adding management domains.