Deploying the Vocera Communications System with a Meru Networks WLAN

Copyright 2005, Meru Networks, Inc.

This document is an unpublished work protected by the United States copyright laws and is proprietary to Meru Networks, Inc. Disclosure, copying, reproduction, or use of this document by anyone other than authorized employees, authorized users, or licensees of Meru Networks, Inc., without the prior written consent of Meru Networks, Inc., is prohibited.

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Copyright 2005 Meru Networks

Deploying the Vocera Communications System

Overview
Wireless LANs (WLANs) are becoming a fixture in the enterprise and quickly proving their worth. At the same time, many enterprises are adopting voice over IP (VoIP) systems to enjoy lower costs. The two technologies together have given rise to an exciting application: wireless VoIP. Wireless VoIP significantly enhances the value of both technologies by delivering optimum mobility, productivity and ROI. Companies deploying VoIP are universally considering how WLANs can be integrated into the system. Vocera wireless VoIP badges are a proven solution used by healthcare and other enterprises all over the world for their in-building, hands-free mobile communications. Combined with Meru Networks wireless LAN system, the two companies offer a comprehensive world-class solution for a converged data and voice wireless LAN solution.

Vocera Communications System

The Vocera Communications System provides wearable, voice-controlled communication via an 802.11b compatible wireless LAN. Organizations waste huge amounts of time and money each year due to poor communication. Productivity suffers when employees are unable to locate co-workers and resources in a timely, efficient manner. Customer satisfaction suffers when service representatives, such as nurses and sales staff, have to spend time searching for the people who can assist them. The Vocera Communications System is a breakthrough solution that enables instant voice communication when and where its neededenhancing organizational productivity and customer service. Using the Meru Networks Wireless Converged LAN, Vocera System Software and the Vocera Communications Badge, staff can get in touch with the people and answers they need faster. Instant communication improves efficiency across the workplace. And, Vocera provides this increased productivity without ongoing wireless service fees or other ongoing telecommunications costs. The Vocera system utilizes a voice codec similar to G.729 and uses a packet sample rate of one RTP packet every 36 milliseconds (27 packets per second) and 9100 bytes/second.

The Meru Wireless LAN System

The Meru Wireless LAN System is a purpose-built converged voice and data network solution. Addressing head on voice application sensitivity to delay, jitter and latency, Meru reduces or eliminates the wireless LAN impact on these factors. The Meru Wireless LAN System consists of the Meru Controller and Meru Access Points. Meru Wireless LANs employ Air Traffic ControlTM technology that deterministically schedules client transmissions. This significantly mitigates client collisions, allowing high densities of clients to receive switch-like performance on the wireless network. By building on the systems ability to control channel activity with its Air Traffic Control technology Meru dynamically recognizes when a VoIP call is initiated and reserves bandwidth over the air for the call resulting in unparalleled call quality and connection reliability.

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Deploying the Vocera Communications System

Benefits of the Combined Meru Networks/Vocera Wireless VoIP Solution

The key benefits you can achieve by utilizing the Meru system for Vocera are the following: Seamless handoff between access points resulting in excellent voice quality and no audio drop-outs during roaming. Quality of Service is maintained for voice calls when there is a converged network of mixed data and voice. Higher data throughput for 802.11g clients in your network in the presence of 802.11b clients such as the Vocera badge. Call Admission Control and Call Load Balancing to prevent crowded areas (such as nurses stations or cafeterias) from causing poor voice quality.

Vocera Communications Badge

Tested Platforms Meru Networks

AP Hardware Platforms: AP100, AP201, AP208 Controller Platforms: MC500, MC1000, MC3000

Vocera Communications
Vocera Communications Server Vocera Communications Badge

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Deploying the Vocera Communications System

Deployment Scenario
The Vocera Communications System can be deployed in a Meru Networks WLAN system where the AccessPoints are deployed within a subnet or across multiple layer 2 subnets. The following figure shows the components in a typical deployment network with the Meru Networks WLAN and Vocera Communications System.

Typical Meru/Vocera Communication System Components

When deploying the system you should determine which types of devices will require access and the mechanism of authentication/encryption that they support. This will drive the configuration of the system to support different user groups and security methods. For a typical healthcare deployment, we recommend configuring one ESSID for the Vocera devices on a voice VLAN. Then for hospital staff tablet and laptop PCs, another ESSID should be configured utilizing strong authentication/encryption such as WPA interfacing to a RADIUS server and this traffic should be separated onto a secure VLAN. Finally if guest access is desired to be provided, then another ESSID should be configured utilizing Captive Portal for web-based authentication and this traffic should be placed on a VLAN which terminates outside the hospital infrastructure firewall.

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Deploying the Vocera Communications System

AP Configuration
No specific AP configuration is required to support the Vocera solution. However, it is important to note that the Vocera badge supports 802.11b and as such the radio in the Meru AP should be configured to support 802.11b/g or 802.11b.

References
Meru Networks Configuration Reference, http://www.merunetworks.com/ Vocera Communications User Guide, http://www.vocera.com/products/products.shtm Vocera Communications: HIPPA Data Security and Privacy Standards for Voice Communications Over a Wireless LAN, http://www.vocera.com/pdf/HIPAA_White_Paper_R4.pdf

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Copyright 2005 Meru Networks Copyright 2005 Meru Networks