Intel Corp. and Cisco Systems, announced an expansion of their existing alliance to deliver new capabilities that enhance the reliability of wireless LANs and deliver higher-quality services, and allow enterprises to use computers and the network as a combined defence against security threats.

The companies said that they had jointly produced a new set of features, called Business Class Wireless Suite, designed for companies using Cisco’s Unified Wireless Architecture and Intel Centrino mobile technology. The suite includes two technologies:

• Optimal access point (AP) selection technology to enable Intel Centrino mobile technology-based clients to scan for the best AP for faster, more reliable and efficient roaming within a business wireless LAN.
• Enhanced Voice over IP (VoIP) quality of service (QoS) technology to improve the audio clarity and enable reliable voice communications for laptops.

Business Class Wireless Suite features will be available from Cisco and Intel in the first quarter of 2006. It is likely that the technologies will be available on the new platform products from Intel, such as Centrino or East Fork.

In addition to introduction of Business Class Wireless Suite, Intel will join the Network Admission Control (NAC) program, an industry effort led by Cisco to help customers identify, prevent, and adapt to security threats, and Cisco will join the Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) program. With Cisco NAC interoperating with Intel AMT, enterprises will be better able to defend against security threats, helping to maintain user and business productivity and reduce the cost of security attacks and improve system remediation, the companies indicated.