The need to reduce CO2 emissions, coupled with economic trends favor mobile workforces that can be deployed where and as needed, makes telecommuting a very attractive option. A telecommuter traveling 45 miles -- the distance between San Jose and San Francisco -- twice a week instead of every day will reduce annual CO2 emissions by roughly 5.5 metric tons. Making an always-mobile workforce productive requires provisioning a secure, desk-like work experience, everywhere.

Aruba and Avaya are addressing this need with an Internet Protocol (IP)-based solution that integrates components of the Avaya Connected Teleworker solution -- including IP telephones, Avaya Communication Manager software and Avaya Modular Messaging servers -- with Aruba adaptive wireless LANs. The solution provides identity-based, follow-me security wherever a teleworker roams, using an unobtrusively packaged remote access point that includes an integrated firewall and router, and a centralized management system that accommodates even the largest enterprise and workforce.

"Teleworkers aren't a vision of the future -- they're hitting the streets today, and this unified mobility solution enables the enterprise network to keep them securely connected wherever they choose to work," said Keerti Melkote, Aruba's co-founder and head of products and partnerships. "As more workers are untethered from their desks and sent to work on the road and in virtual offices, wired enterprise networks will evolve in favor of all-wireless unified mobility solutions. The solution from Aruba and Avaya is designed to deliver the same secure office experience -- including universal single number calling and forwarding of IP calls -- as the remote user would have enjoyed in the traditional office setting."

Aruba is a member of the Avaya DevConnect program -- an initiative to develop, market and sell innovative third-party products that interoperate with Avaya technology and extend the value of a company's investment in its network. As a Platinum member of the program, Aruba is eligible to submit products for compatibility testing by the Avaya Solution Interoperability and Test Lab in Lincroft, N.J. There a team of Avaya engineers develops a comprehensive test plan for each application to verify whether it is Avaya compliant.

Among the many Aruba products that have been rated compliant by Avaya DevConnect is Aruba's Remote Access Point software. This software can be loaded on any Aruba access point, which are among the smallest on the market and can easily fit in a purse or valise. The Remote Access Point provides a secure connection back to the enterprise without requiring a client, and features a built-in stateful firewall and a split-tunneling router. The user need only connect the access point to any wide area network (WAN) and the software will automatically find the primary or back-up enterprise data center, establish a secure link, and start delivering applications.

All Avaya wired or wireless IP phone works with the Aruba Remote Access Point, and together they provide complete voice and data connectivity for teleworkers. The solution provides client-to-core security and IPsec tunneling, but does away with the complexity of a virtual private network (VPN), enabling multiple phones and PCs to work securely with a single Remote Access Point. A comparable VPN set-up would require at least two VPNs, four IP addresses, VPN client software for PCs, and possibly even a router.

"Our objective is to deliver a great out-of-office teleworker experience without compromising any features, functions or security," said Eric Rossman, Avaya's Vice President of the DevConnect program. "Aruba and Avaya can deliver the applications workers need, wherever they choose to work. Enterprises gain the flexibility and cost savings that come from a mobile workforce without imposing restrictions or compromising security."

The teleworker solution is available for immediate deployment, and has been tested for interoperability under both Avaya's DevConnect program and Aruba's technology partnership program.

Keywords: aruba networks inc, data access solution, mobile workforces, avaya inc, internet protocol ip, co2 emissions, ip telephones, wireless lans, mobile workforce, 5 metric tons, melkote, keerti, mobility solution, communication manager, Wireless Security