Symbol Technologies introduced a 'Mobility Server' for retail wireless networking, which uses Linux as its embedded operating system, at the National Retail Annual Federation Convention and Expo in New York City. Together with a companion client bridge, the Spectrum24 Mobility Server is said to offer a simple, reliable, and cost-effective wireless security solution for wireless network deployments.

The Spectrum24 Mobility Server is described as an enterprise-class Kerberos KDC (Key Distribution Center) that facilitates client authentication and dynamic encryption key distribution, which is ideal for wireless mobile point-of-sale or other devices roaming throughout the retail environment. Kerberos V5 is an open security standard developed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The Mobility Server allows retailers to install local authentication services at every store location, eliminating the need to centrally maintain wireless security on backend servers. The device can be deployed and distributed at wireless LAN sites and at specific device locations.

The embedded operating system used in the Spectrum24 Mobility Server is based on SuSE Linux 7.2, which “ensures an extremely high level of reliability when deploying enterprise-class Kerberos security,” the company said.

While the Mobility Server authenticates user names and passwords, it also supports dynamic key distribution, issuing a unique key per session per client, and a new encryption key at regular time intervals and on every roam.

Symbol Technologies is a leader in mobile information systems that integrate application-specific handheld computers with wireless networks for data and voice and bar code data capture. The company's products are used by leading retailers, logistics and transportation companies, government agencies, manufacturers, and providers of health care, hospitality, and security.

 
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