What is Celona AerFlex?
Celona AerFlex is the industry’s first cloud-controlled, access point-only (AP-only) private 5G architecture. It eliminates the need for on-site servers and complex network infrastructure, making private 5G as easy to deploy as Wi-Fi. Purpose-built for distributed enterprises and industrial environments, AerFlex combines the simplicity of cloud with the performance and security of cellular.
How is AerFlex different from traditional private 5G solutions?
Most private 5G solutions require complex, on-premises infrastructure—including servers, network appliances, and specialized cabling. Celona AerFlex simplifies this model with:
AP-only deployments: No servers or racks required on site
Cloud-native orchestration: Control-plane functions managed centrally in the cloud
Local data breakout: Ensures low latency, privacy, and data sovereignty
Zero-touch provisioning: New sites can be live in hours, not weeks
What problems does AerFlex solve?
AerFlex addresses key challenges for enterprise wireless networks:
Lack of IT staff at remote or space-constrained sites
High deployment and operational costs of traditional private 5G
Limited scalability and complexity of telco-style solutions
Inadequate performance of Wi-Fi for industrial AI and automation
What is the "Smart Split" architecture?
AerFlex uses a "Smart Split" model:
Data path services run on the AP: Critical functions like packet forwarding and segmentation are handled locally for optimal performance.
Control path services run in the cloud: Mobility, policy, and configuration management are handled centrally via Celona Cloud.
This architecture ensures high performance, compliance, and resiliency across distributed sites.
What hardware is required to deploy AerFlex?
Only Celona AP2x Series access points (e.g., AP20, AP21, AP22) are needed at the site. No servers, appliances, or special IT closets are required. These APs handle local breakout and integrate directly with enterprise IT and OT systems.
Note: Access points must be time-synchronized for proper operation. This can be achieved via an external GPS antenna or a PTP grandmaster clock on the local network.
What kind of environments is AerFlex designed for?
AerFlex is ideal for:
Retail chains and branch offices
Warehouses and distribution centers
Remote manufacturing sites
Food and beverage plants
Offshore oil rigs
Space-constrained or unmanned locations
Is AerFlex secure?
Yes. AerFlex combines:
Local data breakout to ensure that data never leaves the site unnecessarily
Cloud-based policy control for centralized visibility and configuration
End-to-end encryption for all management and user data traffic
How is AerFlex managed?
Celona AerFlex is managed through Celona Orchestrator, a cloud-based platform that:
Provides real-time network and device visibility
Enables centralized configuration and updates
Supports integration with enterprise tools via APIs
How is AerFlex licensed and priced?
AerFlex is offered as an add-on to Celona’s existing private 5G subscription model:
Priced per Access Point
Available in 3- or 5-year terms
Indoor and outdoor APs supported under the same model
Existing Celona customers can easily upgrade to AerFlex via a simple software configuration.
Are Edge appliance-based deployments still supported with AerFlex?
Yes. Celona continues to fully support Edge appliance-based deployments alongside AerFlex.
AerFlex introduces a new, AP-only option designed for distributed and space-constrained sites, but it does not replace other deployment models. Enterprises can select the best-fit architecture for each site, while maintaining centralized management through Celona Orchestrator.
Deployment Model | Description | Ideal Use Case |
AerFlex | AP-only, cloud-controlled with local data breakout | Remote, space-constrained, or IT-light sites |
Virtualized Edge | Celona Edge software on VMware infrastructure | Campuses, headquarters, or sites with existing virtualization |
Edge Appliance | Rack-mounted 1U Edge appliance deployed on-prem | Campuses & deployments with mobility-intensive environments |
All models work together seamlessly, allowing hybrid deployments across your enterprise.
Are there any use cases where AerFlex should not be used?
Yes. While AerFlex is ideal for many distributed or remote enterprise sites, there are specific scenarios where a Celona Edge-based deployment is better suited.
Use Case | Reason |
High-speed mobility (e.g., AGVs, robotics) | Cloud-based control plane may introduce latency that impacts seamless handovers |
Air-gapped or isolated environments | Requires a fully local packet core; AerFlex depends on cloud connectivity |
Complex legacy LAN/OT integrations | On-site Edge deployments offer greater control for deep integration |
Sites with unstable or non-redundant WAN | AerFlex’s cloud-managed control plane requires a stable, redundant WAN for optimal performance |
For these scenarios, Celona’s Appliance or Virtualized Edge deployment models offer greater control, local autonomy, and integration flexibility.
Is handover supported on AerFlex?
Yes. AerFlex supports intra-site mobility and handovers between Celona APs, maintaining session continuity for typical enterprise use (handhelds, scanners, tablets, low-speed vehicles).
What to expect
Designed for pedestrian/low-speed mobility. Because AerFlex’s control plane runs in the cloud, handover performance depends on WAN latency and stability.
High-speed mobility: For fast, latency-sensitive handovers (e.g., AGVs/AMRs, robotics in motion), choose a Celona Edge deployment (appliance or virtualized) where the control plane is local.
Deployment | Mobility/Handover | Notes |
AerFlex (AP-only) | Supported for pedestrian/low-speed mobility | Requires stable, redundant WAN since the control plane is cloud-based |
Edge (appliance/virtualized) | Optimized for high-speed mobility | Local control plane minimizes handover latency |
Is there an upper limit on the number of APs supported in an AerFlex deployment?
AerFlex does not impose a hard limit on the number of access points, and its cloud-controlled architecture is designed to scale across distributed enterprise sites. However, there are important design considerations to ensure reliable operation at scale:
Factor | Guidance |
Architecture | AerFlex scales horizontally—add more APs as needed across sites |
Subnet Requirement | All APs within a site must reside on the same Layer 2 subnet |
Time Synchronization | APs require accurate time sync via GPS antenna or PTP grandmaster |
WAN Dependency | A stable and redundant WAN connection is critical for control plane access |
RF Design | Ensure proper channel planning and AP overlap to support seamless mobility |
Why is AerFlex unique, and how is it different from other cloud-based private 5G solutions?
Celona AerFlex is the industry’s first true AP-only, cloud-controlled private 5G architecture, purpose-built for enterprise use—not retrofitted from telco infrastructure.
Here’s how it stands out from other so-called “cloud-based” private 5G solutions:
Feature | AerFlex | Other Cloud-Based Solutions |
Architecture | AP-only, no on-site appliances or servers | Often require on-prem cores, edge gateways, or hybrid setups |
Cloud Control Plane | True cloud-native control with dynamic scaling via Celona Cloud | Often “lift-and-shift” legacy core moved to the cloud |
Local Data Breakout | Handled directly at the AP for low latency and compliance | Traffic often hairpinned through centralized cloud core |
Time to Deploy | Hours—zero-touch AP provisioning | Days/weeks due to more complex integration |
Vertical Integration | Single software stack (CelonaOS, Orchestrator, Cloud) | Multi-vendor systems with fragmented components |
Enterprise-First Design | Native support for enterprise IT/OT systems | Often requires telco expertise and additional integration layers |
Management & Orchestration | Centralized via Celona Orchestrator with API & policy control | Disjointed interfaces across RAN/core/gateway components |