Call a Specialist Today! 020 3958 0661
Free Delivery! Free Delivery!

RUCKUS ZoneDirector 5000
Scalable Enterprise Class Smart WLAN Controller


RUCKUS ZoneDirector 5000

The ZoneDirector 5000 has been discontinued. Services or subscriptions can be found below, otherwise please Contact Us for a repalcement solution

RUCKUS ZoneDirector 5000 Overview:

The most affordable and scalable high-end Smart WLAN controller in its class

The ZoneDirector 5000 (ZD5000) is the industry's first controller-based system that can be flexibly deployed either in-line, or out of the data path, supporting up to 20,000 clients, 1,000 access points (APs) and 2048 wireless LANs (WLANs) within a single, easy-to-use platform. If you don't believe us, compare it for yourself against the alternatives.

With 6x the processing power and twice the capacity and redundancy of previous ZoneDirectors, the ZD5000 is perfect for large-scale wireless environments such as hotels, schools, hospitals and managed service environments. With a lifetime warranty, the ZD5000 is the first Smart WLAN platform to combine power, simplicity and scalability into a single, affordable system.

Highly resilient with dual/hot-swappable AC/DC power supplies and fans, the ZD5000 integrates the same ZoneFlex Smart/OS software as other ZoneDirector platforms, supporting advanced features such as meshing, hot spot authentication, guest networking and dynamic Wi-Fi security at no additional cost.

The RUCKUS Networks ZoneDirector™ 5000 (ZD5000) is the first WLAN controller to uniquely combine power, simplicity and scalability into an affordable system. Supporting up to 20,000 clients and 2048 WLANs per device, the ZD5000 manages up to 1000 ZoneFlex Smart Wi-Fi access points from a single location.

Unlike conventional wireless LAN systems that are costly, complex and cumbersome to deploy, the ZD5000 is designed for simplicity and ease of use. It's ideal for any large-scale enterprise requiring a high-performance wireless LAN that can be easily deployed and managed.

The ZD5000 integrates the RUCKUS Smart/OS application engine that delivers advanced features such as smart wireless meshing, high availability, hot spot authentication, elegant guest networking and dynamic Wi-Fi security. Deployed and operated by non-wireless experts and installed quickly and easily, with the ZD5000, any organization with limited IT staff and budget can create a robust and secure multimedia WLAN in a matter of minutes.

The ZD5000 easily integrates with network, security and authentication infrastructure already in place and is easily configured through a point-and-click web wizard. RUCKUS ZoneFlex APs automatically discover and are configured by the ZoneDirector. Redundant and secure, the ZD5000 provides WLAN-wide network, security, RF and location management within a single, easy-to-use and affordable WLAN system.

Strong, Simple

The ZD5000 supports enterprise-class 802.1x with any backend authentication database, such as RADIUS and ActiveDirectory, and also comes with an internal authentication database supporting up to 20,000 user entries. First-time ZoneDirector users simply plug their computers into the WLAN, and specify a URL that directs them to a captive web portal for first-time authentication. Then, ZoneDirector automatically configures the client system with the designated SSID and a dynamically-generated encryption key that centralizes authentication and authorization decisions for all APs, providing secure admission control across the WLAN. Oh…and there's also rogue AP detection, client isolation, L2-4 filters, client blacklisting, DoS attack prevention and other security capabilities that let you sleep at night.

Just too many to mention

The ZD5000 delivers one of the most feature-rich software suite of advanced features you can find. The difference is that we don't charge for them. Band steering, airtime fairness, client load balancing, an elegant and simple guest networking facility, time-based wireless LAN controls, Smart Mesh networking, WLAN and AP groupings, IPv6 support, automatic proxy configuration for clients, dynamic VLAN assignment, role-based policy, configurable idle client timeouts, and we could go on and on. All of these advanced features are as easy to implement as simply pointing and client on check boxes with our semi-sexy GUI.

It's all up to you.

Every deployment is difference and the ZD5000 was designed to provide flexible deployment options that give you the power and choice. The ZD5000 can be deployed remotely and out-of-the-datapath to eliminate performance bottlenecks and single points of failure or within a centrally-controlled environment where all traffic is tunneled through the device. You decide. We have also integrated special capabilities such as SpeedFlex directly into the ZD5000. SpeedFlex is a unique wireless performance tool that measures the Wi-Fi throughput of associated wireless LAN (WLAN) clients, APs or individual mesh links. From any centralized ZD500 WLAN controller administrators remotely invoke a speed test for any given client. Focusing on wireless L2 throughput, SpeedFlex measures the performance of the link detailing uplink, downlink, packet loss and other metric essential in remotely troubleshooting and isolating client issues.

Ultra simple to configure and manage

Easily discovered on any network through UPnP, the ZD5000 can be configured in a matter of minutes through an intuitive configuration wizard. Once configured, the ZD5000 provides an simple, Web2.0 management interface that is easy to navigate. The customizable dashboard provides comprehensive at-a-glance network snapshot and allows drill down to troubleshoot wireless problems Configuration changes can easily be applied to multiple APs, or the entire system, simultaneously. The ZD5000 provides full CLI management, a graphic user interface or can be managed through any TELNET connection. Real-time monitoring and statistics show CPU utilization, memory utilizatoin, packets and bytes sent and received, number of APs and clients connected and other information essential to managing any large-scale wireless LAN.

Simple to Deploy

The RUCKUS ZD5000 integrates seamlessly with existing switches, firewalls, authentication servers and other network infrastructure. The ZoneDirector can be placed within any Layer 2/3 network. All RUCKUS ZoneFlex APs (wired or meshed) then automatically discover the RUCKUS ZoneDirector, self configure and become instantly manageable. RUCKUS Smart Redundancy ensures high network availability and is easy to use with automatic synchronization of configuration and authorised users between ZoneDirectors.

Simple to Manage

Once up and running the ZD5000 automatically manages the ZoneFlex network of APs - automatically adjusting transmit power levels and RF channel assignments as needed, to avoid interference, prevent adjacent APs from interfering and enable redundant coverage in the event of an AP failure. Configuration changes can easily be applied to multiple APs, or the entire system, simultaneously. A customizable dashboard provides instant access to a variety of client and network information and events, and a real-time heat map displays AP locations and signal coverage, as well as your RUCKUS

ZoneDirector Smart WLAN systems integrate a unique performance utility from RUCKUS called SpeedFlex™. RUCKUS SpeedFlex allows administrators to locally or remotely determine client Wi-Fi performance over the wireless LAN. With SpeedFlex, administrators can now better plan, troubleshoot, monitor and measure WLAN performance, eliminating the need to use Internet-based speed tools that often provide inaccurate results of the local

Simple to Manage
The ZoneDirector 5000 provides a detail map view that lets administrators quickly see the Wi-Fi network topology for all ZoneFlex Smart Wi-Fi access points.

Simple to Secure

The ZD5000 provides innovative new techniques that simplify and automate Wi-Fi security. In addition to enterprise-class 802.1X support and dynamic VLAN assignment capabilities, the ZD5000 supports a patented Dynamic Pre-Shared Key (PSK) capability that streamlines WLAN security.

First-time users plug their computers into the LAN and specify a URL that directs them to a captive web portal for a one-time authentication. After successful authentication, the ZoneDirector automatically configures the client system with the designated SSID and a dynamically-generated encryption key. The key is bound to the client, and can be removed upon expiration when the user or the user's device is no longer trusted.

The ZD5000 centralizes authentication and authorization decisions for all APs, providing secure admission control across the WLAN. It works with any backend authentication database such as RADIUS and ActiveDirectory and also comes with an internal authentication database. Additionally, clients can be dynamically assigned to a VLAN based on their

Avoid Interference, Maximize Performance and Extend Reach with Network BeamFlex

RUCKUS BeamFlex™, a patented Wi-Fi beam-steering technology, ensures predictable performance for multimedia traffic applications and extended range to eliminate Wi-Fi deadspots. With ZoneDirector, the value of BeamFlex is extended beyond a single access point to the system-wide WLAN and smart Wi-Fi meshing.

The ZoneDirector automatically controls the channel assignments and transmit power of all ZoneFlex Smart Wi-Fi APs. And with BeamFlex, the ZoneFlex system continuously picks the best path for every packet, to both clients outside the network and mesh APs inside the network, automatically avoiding interference, to guarantee the highest quality of service.

SmartMesh Increases Flexibility, Reduces Costs

RUCKUS Smart Mesh Networking enables self-organizing and selfhealing WLAN deployment. It eliminates the need to run Ethernet cables to every AP, allowing administrators to simply plug in ZoneFlex APs to any power source and walk away. All confi guration and management is delivered through the ZoneDirector Smart WLAN controller. APs can also be daisy-chained to mesh APs to extend the mesh and take advantage of spatial reuse. Smart meshing uses patented Smart Wi-Fi technology to extend range and control Wi-Fi signals to minimize inter-nodal hops that degrade performance and automatically adapt Wi-Fi connections between nodes to maintain ultra high reliability.

SpeedFlex
SpeedFlex is a unique wireless performance test tool integrated within the ZoneFlex™ family of centralized controllers that measures the Wi-Fi throughput of associated wireless LAN clients.

Benefits:

Super scalable
Supporting up to 1,000 APs and 20,000 clients per device, the ZoneDirector 5000 easily serves the largest campus deployments

IT lite deployment in 5 minutes, simple to use and manage
Web-based configuration wizard configures an entire WLAN in minutes. ZoneFlex APs auto-discover the ZoneDirector. Centralized management and automatic, real-time optimization of entire WLAN

Advanced WLAN features and functions
Advanced wireless networking features include rogue AP detection, interference detection, band steering, airtime fairness, role-based user policies, per-user rate-limiting, hotspot and guest networking services

Smart Meshing streamlines costly and complex deployment
Integrated RUCKUS Smart Mesh Networking technology automates deployment, eliminates the need to run Ethernet cable to every Smart Wi-Fi access point. Adaptable architecture with Hybrid Mesh extends the wireless network through Ethernet-connected APs, increasing system performance through better spatial reuse

Automatic user security
Dynamic PSK eliminates the requirement to configure and update individual PC client devices with unique encryption keys. Dynamic VLAN assignment seamlessly extends existing security policies to the WLAN

Easy monitoring and troubleshooting
Customizable dashboard provides comprehensive at-a-glance network snapshot and allows drill down to troubleshoot wireless problems

Distributed forwarding architecture
Maximizes data throughput by sending all data traffic directly from the access points to the wired network

Flexible deployment options
The ZoneDirector interacts with existing network and security infrastructure and provides dynamic RF management across APs to eliminate AP placement issues

Complete integration
Combines network management, dynamic RF management, location management and AP control within a low-cost solution

Features:

  • Supports up to 1,000 APs, 20,000 clients, 2048 WLANs per device
  • Distributed forwarding architecture maximizes data throughput by eliminating the need to send all traffic through the controller
  • 512 APs groups, 2048 WLAN groupings

Highly Resilient

  • Automatic smart redundancy for high availability
  • Dual, hot-swappable AC or DC power supplies
  • Redundant fans
  • Centralized or distributed deployment
  • Two 1 Gbps ports for full redundancy

Advanced Feature Set

  • Smart meshing support
  • Simple and elegant guest networking and captive portal
  • Hot spot authentication (WISPr support)
  • AP and WLAN groupings streamlines operation of a large number of small-sized networks from a single controller
  • IPv6 support
  • Integrated DHCP server
  • Dynamic VLAN assignment
  • Dynamic Pre-Shared Key generation and Zero-IT administration of clients
  • Integrated wireless performance test tool (SpeedFlex) measures WI-Fi throughput of clients, APs and mesh links
  • Users access policies provide rich WLAN control
  • Traffic thresholds for users on a specific SSID to ensure fairness
  • Robust authentication support (802.1X, captive portal, Active Directory, RADIUS, local database, WISPr)
  • Time-based WLAN broadcasting
  • Band steering provides spectral optimization
  • Airtime fairness allows better user experience
  • Dynamic (performance based) channel assignment ensures faster client connectivity
  • Dynamic and configurable client load balancing to optimize overall WLAN system performance

Strong Security

  • Rogue AP detection
  • Client blacklisting
  • DoS attack prevention
  • Password guessing protection
  • Client isolation protects against peer-to-peer snooping
  • L2-4 ACL support

Super Simple Management

  • Graphic and Web 2.0 intuitive user interface
  • HTTP and HTTPS/SSL connections
  • Full CLI support
  • Manageable by RUCKUS FlexMaster system
  • SNMP v1/v2c/v3, Telnet/SSHv2 support
Hardware Features Software Features
  • Thin 1U rackmountable footprint
  • Easy discovery from PC using UPnP
  • Manage multiple locations and ZoneDirectors with FlexMaster
  • Two 1000 Mbps ports for full redundancy
  • Lifetime warranty coverage

Advanced WLAN Applications with Smart/OSCentral control and configuration of up to 500 ZoneFlex APs

  • Support for 1,024 WLANs
  • Integrated DHCP server
  • Easy-to-use setup wizard
  • Ultra-intuitive GUI
  • 1+1 redundancy with auto synchronization
  • Smart Mesh Networking control and monitoring
  • Real-time client admission control
  • Load-balancing
  • Customizable dashboard
  • Dynamic RF channel and power management
  • Quality of Service with WLAN prioritization, band steering* and airtime fairness
  • Integrated captive portal
  • Native ActiveDirectory/RADIUS/LDAP support
  • Local authentication database
  • Dynamic VLAN assignment
  • Guest networking
  • Dynamic generation of unique Pre-Shared Keys
  • Rogue AP detection and graphical map view
  • Aeroscout location services support
  • Hot spot authentication using WISPr
  • WISPr Smart Client Support
  • Performance monitoring and statistics
  • Limited lifetime warranty

*For ZoneFlex 7962, 7762 and 7363 dual-band access points

Deployment:

ZoneFlex Architecture

The ZoneDirector 5000 can be deployed anywhere within a Layer 2/3 network. All ZoneFlex APs are dynamically discovered and automatically provisioned by the ZoneDirector.

ZoneFlex Architecture

ZoneFlex Architecture

Specifications:

ZoneDirector 5000 Callout

ZoneDirector 5000 Specifications
Physical Characteristics
Power
  • AC or DC hot-swappable, redundant power supplies
  • DC input requirements
    • Voltage: 48 to -60VDC
    • Current: 20.5A
  • AC input requirements (auto-range)
    • 50/60Hz
    • 100 to 127VAC/maximum current 8.9A
    • 200 to 240VAC/maximum current 4.5A
Physical Size 8.76cm(H), 43.53cm(W), 50.8cm(D)
Weight 40 lbs (18.14 kilograms)
Connections
  • Two 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ45* ports
    *future support for quad GbE and dual 10GbE cards
  • Serial ports, RJ-45, one front, one rear
  • Four (4) USB 2.0 ports in the rear for image loading
LED display Supported (see user guide)
Environmental conditions Operating Temperature: 41°F (5°C) - 104°F (40°C)
Performance and Supported Configurations
Managed APs Up to 1,000
Concurrent stations Up to 20,000
WLANs 2048
Management
Configuration Web user interface, FlexMaster
Statistics LAN, wireless and associated stations (available via UI)
Auto AP software updates Supported
Captive Portal Supported
Guest accounts Supported
VLAN support 802.1Q (per BSSID), dynamic VLAN
DHCP Server Supported
AP Discovery & Control Layer-2 or Layer-3
AP Radius Accounting Supported
Access Lists (ACLs)
  • Layer-2 (MAC address based ACL)
  • Layer-3 (IP address based ACL)
  • L2 client isolation
Wireless Intrusion Detection (WIDS)
  • Rogue AP detection
  • DoS attack prevention
  • Password guessing protection
  • Rate limiting
Security
Wireless Security WEP, WPA-TKIP, WPA2-AES, 802.11i
Authentication 802.1X, local database, External AAA servers, ActiveDirectory, RADIUS
Local authentication 5000 user entries
Multimedia and Quality of Service
VoIP Tunneling Supported
802.11e Supported
Software Queues Per traffic type, per client
Auto-classification Heuristics
Rate Limiting Supported
Certifications
Certifications U.S., Canada, EU, China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea

Compare:


  RUCKUS Unleashed ZoneDirector 1200 ZoneDirector 3000 ZoneDirector 5000 SmartZone 100 vSmartZone E vSmartZone H
  RUCKUS
Unleashed
ZoneDirector
1200
ZoneDirector
3000
ZoneDirector
5000
SmartZone
100
vSmartZone
E
vSmartZone
H
  Controllerless ZoneDirector Platform SmartZone Platform
Access points per Appliance 1-25 5-75 25-500 100-1,000 1-1,024 1-1,024 1-10,000
Access points with Clusters HA* HA* HA* HA* 1-3,000 1-3,000 1-30,000
Platform Controllerless Appliance Appliance Appliance Appliance Virtual Machine Virtual Machine
Site Single Single Single Single Multi-Site Multi-Site Multi Site / Tenant

* High availability (HA) with redundant controller support

Documentation:

Download the RUCKUS ZoneDirector 5000 Datasheet (PDF).

It appears you don't have a PDF plugin for this browser. No biggie... you can click here to download the PDF file.

Pricing Notes:

ZoneDirector 5000 License Upgrade supporting an additional 50 ZoneFlex Access Points
#909-0050-ZD00
List Price: £3,968.25
Our Price: Request a Quote
ZoneDirector 5000 License Upgrade supporting an additional 100 ZoneFlex Access Points
#909-0100-ZD00
List Price: £7,936.51
Our Price: Request a Quote
ZoneDirector 5000 License Upgrade supporting an additional 150 ZoneFlex Access Points
#909-0150-ZD00
List Price: £11,904.76
Our Price: Request a Quote
ZoneDirector 5000 License Upgrade supporting an additional 200 ZoneFlex Access Points
#909-0200-ZD00
List Price: £15,873.02
Our Price: Request a Quote
ZoneDirector 5000 License Upgrade supporting an additional 250 ZoneFlex Access Points
#909-0250-ZD00
List Price: £19,841.27
Our Price: Request a Quote
ZoneDirector 5000 License Upgrade supporting an additional 300 ZoneFlex Access Points
#909-0300-ZD00
List Price: £23,809.52
Our Price: Request a Quote
ZoneDirector 5000 License Upgrade supporting an additional 350 ZoneFlex Access Points
#909-0350-ZD00
List Price: £27,777.78
Our Price: Request a Quote
ZoneDirector 5000 License Upgrade supporting an additional 400 ZoneFlex Access Points
#909-0400-ZD00
List Price: £31,746.03
Our Price: Request a Quote
ZoneDirector 5000 License Upgrade supporting an additional 450 ZoneFlex Access Points
#909-0450-ZD00
List Price: £35,714.29
Our Price: Request a Quote
ZoneDirector 5000 License Upgrade supporting an additional 500 ZoneFlex Access Points
#909-0500-ZD00
Our Price: Request a Quote

For more than 500 ZoneFlex Access Points, please use our Quote Request Form!

ZoneDirector 5100 WatchDog Premium Support - 1 Year
WatchDog Premium Support for Zone Director 5000, 100 APs - 1 Year
#801-5100-1000
Our Price: Request a Quote
WatchDog Premium Support for Zone Director 5000, 100 APs - 1 Year
#801-5100-3000
Our Price: Request a Quote
WatchDog Premium Support for Zone Director 5000, 100 APs - 1 Year
#801-5100-5000
Our Price: Request a Quote

Customers Please Note: Additional Support is needed if you upgrade your supported access point license, please use our Quote Request Form!

ZoneDirector Accessories and Replacement Parts
Spare of IEC Power Cord (for use with ZD5000 & SCG200 AC Power Supply), UK Plug
#902-0174-UK00
Our Price: Request a Quote
Spare DC Power Supply for ZD5000
#902-0175-DC00
Our Price: Request a Quote
Spare Fan Set for ZD5000 (6 fans)
#902-0176-0000
Our Price: Request a Quote
Spare Rack Rail Kit for ZD5000
#902-0178-0000
Our Price: Request a Quote
Spare AC Power Supply for ZD5000 (use with 902-0174-UK00 Power Cord)
#902-0179-AC00
Our Price: Request a Quote