Discover key considerations for WiFi 7 access points, including port seeds, power requirements, and backbone readiness.
When upgrading wireless access points, it may seem like a simple task on the surface, but there are several factors to consider when choosing APs. With the introduction of WiFi 7 in 2024, these factors become even more important. Depending on the wireless standard of the access point, the port speed will need to be fast enough to support the intended use. Different APs, especially higher-end models, require significantly more power than previous generations. Use case and future goals must also be considered.
Frequency band characteristics are the same across all standards, apart from Multi-Link Operation (MLO) in Wifi 7, which allows bonding between multiple frequency bands to share channel bandwidth and provide a seamless transition from the 6GHz band to a lower speed, but more reliable, band. 2.4GHz offers the lowest speed and highest reliability but often has the most interference. It also has the longest range and best barrier penetration capability. The 5GHz band offers slightly less range and worse barrier penetration but compensates for this by having much more throughput from wider channels and tends to have less interference in a business environment. 6GHz, much like the 5GHz band, offers even more speed and throughput, with even less range and penetration. Additionally, 6GHz is relatively new, and has the lowest amount of interference of any WiFi frequency range in most environments.
Physical building cabling is also important to consider but is often forgotten when upgrading wireless infrastructure. Older buildings often have CAT5 or CAT5e installed throughout the building, and if that is used for the AP connection, services will be degraded or just not work at all. CAT5 cabling should not be used to power any AP, CAT5e should be reserved for the lowest power requirements (15 watts or under), CAT6 and up can be used for any other requirement (up to 90 watt), but it should be a quality cable made of pure copper. It should also be noted that a lower standard cable CAN be used for very short distances but is not recommended in a production environment.
The last consideration is network speed, not only the connection to the AP, but also the core and distribution links as well. To take advantage of the higher speeds offered by Wifi 6 and 6E, and the significantly higher speeds offered by WiFi 7, an upgrade of the infrastructure is often required. The backbone of the network should be upgraded in relation to the number of high-speed links going to each AP. Wifi 6 and 6E both support up to 9.6Gbps per AP, with Wifi 7 supporting up to 46Gbps per AP.
Upgrading APs can make a significant impact on end user experience and network reliability, but it needs to be a carefully considered and planned process. Every cable, interface, and switch must be examined to ensure a seamless upgrade for the wireless network and avoid the frustration of APs not performing the way they were intended.
