Atheros Makes Available Open Source Configuration Software For Personal WLANs

Sunnyvale, CA -- Atheros Communications today announced that the company will offer its JumpStart for Wireless security configuration software on an open-source basis for free use by anyone in the WLAN industry. The availability of the JumpStart Developer's Kit marks the first time that all the elements needed by customers to create and offer a user-friendly WLAN security setup system have been provided in open source form.

"We're taking aggressive steps to make our secure configuration software available on an open source basis because it benefits the wireless LAN industry as a whole and therefore helps Atheros and our customers," said Craig Barratt, president and CEO of Atheros Communications.

"Customers have expressed concern about getting locked into proprietary security systems that limit hardware choices. JumpStart's ability to work with virtually any silicon solution avoids this problem as well as the fragmentation that would occur if every silicon vendor introduces a different configuration system. We fully support the Wi-Fi Alliance's work toward developing an industry-standard security setup system. Until that standard becomes available, JumpStart is an excellent option for any WLAN product vendor wishing to offer a simple and secure network configuration experience that supports a wide variety of devices on a broad array of platforms."

JumpStart leverages the protocol underlying today's secure e-commerce transactions (the Diffie-Hellman key exchange protocol) along with other proven industry-standard protocols. While these protocols make it possible to achieve enterprise-class WLAN security, designing a secure system that is also easy to use has proven challenging for vendors. JumpStart eliminates this challenge by providing a pre-packaged solution that is readily available in open source form.

Built from the ground up to provide broad interoperability, JumpStart works with a wide array of WLAN silicon solutions not only Atheros chipsets, but also those from Intel (Centrino), Marvell, and Broadcom. It also works with a broad range of platforms including laptop PCs, cell phones, cameras, printers, and MP3 players. JumpStart also supports profile management tools such as Microsoft Wireless Zero Configuration.
Major vendors support JumpStart

WLAN equipment vendors have already embraced JumpStart and are supporting Atheros' decision to provide the software in open source form. "When selling technology to the mass market consumer, security and ease of use are of top priority," said Brian Larsen, director of wireless product management for D-Link, a leading U.S.-based networking manufacturer. "D-Link is a standards-based manufacturer and we support Atheros' efforts to offer solutions that don't rely on proprietary security schemes which create lock-in on the hardware side."

"At Corega, our mission is to serve our end users with products that are simple, secure and offer the flexibility consumers require as they add a complete array of devices to their personal WLANs," said Sho Katoh, President of Corega, a major Japan-based access-point supplier. "JumpStart helps us satisfy these customer needs with a solution that we hope will be adopted by WLAN vendors worldwide."

Source: Atheros Communications