RUCKUS ZoneFlex R500
Dual-Band 802.11ac 2x2:2 Access Points

Overview:

High Performance, 802.11ac Mid-Range Smart Wi-Fi Access Points with Adaptive Antenna Technology

The RUCKUS ZoneFlex R500 delivers high-performance and reliable 802.11ac wireless networking at a competitive price point.

Unlike any other 802.11ac wireless solution in its class, the ZoneFlex R500 combines patented adaptive antenna technology and automatic interference mitigation to deliver consistent, predictable performance at extended ranges with up to an additional 4dB of BeamFlex gain on top of the physical antenna gain and up to 10dB of interference mitigation.

The R500 is ideal for wireless networks servicing mobile devices with dual-polarized antennas that adapt in real time to hand-held device movement and rotation ensuring consistent performance.

Each ZoneFlex R500 integrates Ruckus-patented BeamFlex, a software-controlled, high gain antenna array that continually forms and directs each Wi-Fi packet over the best performing signal path. The ZoneFlex R500 automatically selects channels for highest throughput potential using RUCKUS ChannelFly dynamic channel management, adapting to environmental changes. Once deployed, enterprises never have to worry about constant site surveys as the environment changes.

A sleek and low-profile design, the ZoneFlex R500 was purposebuilt for enterprises requiring reliable high speed client connectivity. It is ideal for a variety of medium density enterprise and hotspot environments including SMBs, hotels, schools, retail outlets, and branch offices.

Patented BeamFlex+ Technology Extends Signal Range, Improves Stability of Client Connections

All ZoneFlex R500 Smart Wi-Fi access points integrate a software-controlled smart antenna with PD-MRC (polarization diversity) that delivers up to an additional 4 dB of BeamFlex gain and 10 dB of interference mitigation. This is especially beneficial to enhance the performance of mobile devices which are constantly in motion and changing orientation.

Advanced WLAN Applications with Smart/OS

When used with the RUCKUS Smart WLAN controllers, each ZoneFlex R500 supports a wide range of value-added applications such as guest networking, Dynamic PSK, hotspot authentication, wireless intrusion detection and many more. With Smart/OS, WLANs can be created and mapped to the same or different APs or VLANs. In a centrally managed configuration, the ZoneFlex R500 works with a wide range of authentication servers including Microsoft’s Active Directory, LDAP, and RADIUS.

Flexible Deployment Options

ZoneFlex R500 APs can be deployed as a standalone AP or as part of a centrally managed wireless LAN using ZoneDirector Smart WLAN controllers. ZoneFlex R500 can be deployed across any L2/L3 network and can bridge traffic onto the local network, tunnel to a central location using L2TP or PPPoE, or route between the WAN and NAT’ed private subnets. With the RUCKUS controllers, each ZoneFlex R500 is automatically configured through the network making deployment quick and easy.

Complete Local and Remote Management

Each ZoneFlex R500 can be managed as a standalone AP through a Web-based GUI, using SNMP or through the RUCKUS FlexMaster Wi-Fi remote management system. Local management can also be performed using Ruckus’ Smart WLAN controllers. FlexMaster is a LINUX-based software platform that uses industry-standard protocols to perform bulk configuration, fault detection, monitoring and a wide range of troubleshooting capabilities over a wire area connection. The controllers enable local management and control of APs, adding value-added services such as transmit power control, and guest networking.

Features:

High Performance and Cost Effective

• Two-stream MIMO 2x2:2
• Concurrent dual-band (5GHz/2.4GHz) support
• 867 Mbps (5 GHz) and 300 Mbps (2.4 GHz) of user throughput
• Up to 4dB of signal-to-interference and noise (SINR) improvement and up to 10dB of interference mitigation
• Capable of supporting up to 500 clients
• Novel channel selection approach delivering up to 50 percent capacity gain over alternative background scanning approaches

Adaptive antennas and Automatic interference mitigation

• Up to 2 times extended range and coverage
• Automatic interference mitigation, optimized for high-density environments
• Mobile device ready: dual polarized adaptive antennas with 64 antenna patterns per radio for ultra-reliability

Concurrent support for HD IPTV, VoIP and data

• Support for isochronous, multicast IP video streaming
• Four queues per client station

Differentiated services with multiple SSIDs

• Support for multiple BSSIDs with unique QoS and security policies
• WPA-PSK (AES), 802.1X support
• Zero-IT and Dynamic PSK
• Captive portal and guest accounts
• RADIUS and Active Directory support

Other Features

• Dual-band concurrent (5GHz/2.4GHz)
• Adaptive antenna technology and advanced RF management
• Up to an additional 4dB BeamFlex gain / 10dB interference mitigation / 3 dBi physical antenna gain
• Automatic interference mitigation, optimized for high-density environments
• Integrated smart antenna technology
• Standard 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE)
• Router mode with NAT and DHCP services
• IP multicast video streaming support
• Advanced QoS packet classification and automatic priority for latency-sensitive traffic
• Dynamic, pre-user rate-limiting for hotspot WLANs
• WPA-PSK (AES), 802.1X support for RADIUS and Active Directory**
• Ethernet 802.1x port-based authentication (authenticator and supplicant)
• BYOD, Zero-IT and Dynamic PSK*
• Admission control/load balancing*
• Band steering and airtime fairness support
• Captive portal and guest accounts*
• Application recognition and control*
• SmartWay Bonjour gateway*
• SecureHotspot*
• SPOT location services*
• Band balancing*

*When used with RUCKUS ZoneDirector or SmartZone controller.

Benefits:

Extended range requires fewer APs
Adaptive antenna technology delivers up to 2x increase in Wi-Fi signal coverage minimizing the number of APs required to service any area

Sleek, low profile enclosure for ease-of-deployment
Aesthetically-pleasing design and a range of mounting options

Channel selection optimizes throughput
ChannelFly dynamic channel management, based on throughput measurements, not just interference, chooses the best channel to give users the highest possible throughput

Super simple configuration and management
The industry’s simplest configuration and management through a Web-based wizard and automated deployment capabilities

Flexible deployment options
Standalone or controller-based deployment

Adaptive Polarization Diversity (PD-MRC)
Dual-polarized antennas that are dynamically selected provide better reception for hard to hear clients and more consistent performance as clients constantly change orientation

Hassle free migration to higher speed Wi-Fi
Support for standard 802.3af power over Ethernet allows enterprises to use existing PoE switches without costly upgrades

Deployment:

The Zoneflex R500 Unleashed Integrates With Your Existing Network Infrastructure
Delivering best-in-class 802.11ac performance and reliability at a competitive price — making it the ideal wireless solution for mid-range enterprise and branch office applications.

Specifications:

ZoneFlex R500 Specifications
Physical Characteristics
Power	DC Input: 12 VDC 1.0A Power over Ethernet 802.3 af
Physical Size	15.8 cm (L) x 15.8 cm (W) x 4 cm (H) 6.2 in (L) x 6.2 in (W) x 1.57 in (H)
Weight	350 g (0.77 lb.)
Data Ports	2 auto MDX, auto-sensing 10/100/1000 Mbps, RJ-45, POE port (on one port)
Mounting Options	Electrical wallbox; Standard US and EU single gang wall jack Optional bracket for offset & wall mount
Lock Options	Hidden latching mechanism Kensington Lock Hole T-bar Torx Bracket (902-0108-0000) Torx screw & padlock (sold separately
Environmental Conditions	Operating Temperature: 0°C - 50°C Operating Humidity: 10% - 95% non-condensing
Power Draw	PoE-Powered Idle: 4W Typical: 5.95W Peak: 10.5W 12VDC-Powered Idle: 4W Typical: 6.13W Peak: 11.1W
Performance and Capacity
Concurrent Stations	Up to 512 clients per AP
Simultaneous VoIP Clients	Up to 30
RF
Antenna	Adaptive antenna that provides up to 64 unique antenna patterns per radio Full omnidirectional polarization diversity
Physical Antenna Gain	Up to 3 dBi
BeamFlex1 SINR TX Gain	Up to 4 dB
BeamFlex1 SINR RX Gain	3-5 dB (PD-MRC)
Interference Mitigation	Up to 10 dB
Minimum RX Sensitivity	Up to -100 dBm
Management
Deployment Options	Standalone (individually managed) Managed by ZoneDirector (9.8.1 & Above) Managed by SmartZone (3.0 & above) Managed by FlexMaster Managed by SmartCell™ Gateway 200 (2.5 & above)
Configuration	Web User Interface (HTTP/S) CLI (Telnet/SSH), SNMP v1, 2, 3 TR-069 vis FlexMaster
Auto AP Software Updates	FTP or TFTP, remote auto available
Wi-Fi
Standards	IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2.4GHz and 5GHz
Supported Data Rates	802.11n/ac: 6.5Mbps – 173.4Mbps (20MHz) 13.5Mbps – 400Mbps (40MHz) 29.3Mbps – 867Mbps (80MHz) 802.11a: 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9 and 6Mbps 802.11b: 11, 5.5, 2 and 1 Mbps 802.11g: 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9 and 6 Mbps
Radio Chains	2x2
Spatial Streams	2
RF Power Output (Aggregate)	25 dBm for 2.4GHz† 25 dBm for 5GHz†
Channelization	20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz
Frequency Band	IEEE 802.11 b/g/n: 2.4 – 2.484 GHz IEEE 802.11a/ac: 5.15 – 5.25 GHz; 5.25 – 5.35 GHz; 5.47 – 5.725 GHz; 5.725 – 5.85 GHz
Operating Channels	US/Canada: 1-11, Europe ( ETSI X30): 1-13, Japan X41: 1-13 5 GHz channels: Country dependent
Power Save	Supported
Wireless Security	WPA-PSK, WPA-TKIP, WPA2 AES, 802.11i Authentication via 802.1X with the ZoneDirector, local authentication database, support for RADIUS, LDAP, and ActiveDirectory
Certifications	U.S., Europe, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, UAE, Vietnam WEEE/RoHS compliance EN-60601-1-2 (Medical) Wi-Fi Alliance EN50121-1 Railway EMC EN50121-4 Railway Immunity IEC 61373 Railway Shock & Vibration UL 2043 plenum rated 5GHz UNII-1 (2014)

† Maximum power varies by country
¹ BeamFlex gains are statistical system level effects translated to enhanced SINR based on observations over time in real-world conditions with multiple APs and many clients
* Subject to country regulations
** For current certification status please see price list

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Documentation:

Download the RUCKUS ZoneFlex R500 Datasheet (PDF).