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Moore’s Law observes that the number of transistors on an integrated circuit will double every two years with minimal rise in cost. This has held true since the mid-1960s. And since then, we’ve only seen technology continue to advance and our wildest sci-fi imaginations become real. As exciting as this innovation is, it’s also creating a daunting task for IT teams tasked with staying ahead of the curve and ensuring connectivity for all the new technologies.
Enter the availability of the 6 GHz band. Opening 6 GHz has unlocked a new superhighway of connectivity that will enhance bandwidth and capacity, reduce network latency, and, most importantly, ensure superior-quality Wi-Fi experiences. Wi-Fi operating in 6 GHz will truly future-proof networks for at least the next five years.
Both Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 operate in the 6 GHz band and offer similar outcomes (we discuss the similarities and differences of the generations in this blog post), but for the purposes of this blog we’ll focus on things to know when upgrading to Wi-Fi 7, including key considerations to be aware of, challenges that could arise, and opportunities that could present themselves.
Wi-Fi 7 builds upon its predecessor, Wi-Fi 6, and is designed to meet the increasing demands of modern connectivity and mobility. Wi-Fi 7 aims to provide a more reliable and efficient wireless experience, building on the era of 6 GHz connectivity that began with Wi-Fi 6E. With blazing-fast data rates and advanced multi-user capabilities, Wi-Fi 7 is poised to meet the demands of today's bandwidth-hungry applications and tomorrow's emerging technologies.
Before diving into the intricacies of upgrading to Wi-Fi 7, it's essential to understand the transition path from previous generations of Wi-Fi. While Wi-Fi 7 offers significant advancements in speed, efficiency, and reliability, the upgrade process may vary depending on the existing infrastructure, hardware compatibility, and organizational requirements. Key steps in the upgrade path include:
One of the primary challenges IT teams may encounter when upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 is compatibility and interoperability with existing hardware and software. While Wi-Fi 7 is backward compatible with previous generations of Wi-Fi, ensuring seamless integration and performance across heterogeneous environments requires careful planning and testing. Key considerations include:
Upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 presents IT teams with an opportunity to leverage advanced features and capabilities that enhance performance, reliability, and security. From faster data rates and improved spectrum utilization to enhanced multi-user support and robust security protocols, Wi-Fi 7 enables organizations to optimize their wireless networks and user experiences. Key features and capabilities of Wi-Fi 7 include:
These new advanced features and capabilities will power new use cases as well. Extreme’s David Coleman sheds some light on new possibilities and use cases Wi-Fi 7 will power in this short video.
As IT teams navigate the transition to Wi-Fi 7 from earlier generations of Wi-Fi, they must embrace the future of connectivity with confidence and foresight. By understanding the upgrade path, addressing compatibility and interoperability challenges, and leveraging advanced features and capabilities, organizations can optimize their wireless networks for the demands of tomorrow. With Wi-Fi 7, the future of connectivity is within reach—empowering organizations to unlock new possibilities, drive innovation, and enhance productivity in an increasingly connected world.
Want to learn more? Sign up or watch an Extreme Live Demo of Extreme’s Wi-Fi 7 technologies or reach out to our team to discuss your network requirements, pain points, and goals to get a customized solution to meet your unique network needs and business objectives.