Wi-Fi 6 rollout requires careful review of network devices

The market leader, Cisco, is evolving its overall wireless LAN (WLAN) strategy in ways that existing customers will want to scrutinize. New licensing paradigms, new required controller hardware, a new OS for WLAN equipment — it all adds up to feeling like a different vendor service. That said, Wi-Fi 6 may be a great opportunity to do a WLAN request for proposal if you’re seeking a new vendor. You may also want to hold off for Wi-Fi 6E hardware.

At home, all network services and components are usually under the hood of the network router. But, in an enterprise network, a wireless AP sits at the end of a wiring run that connects to a switch for both data and operational voltage from Power over Ethernet.

Because Wi-Fi 6 promises multiple gigabits of throughput, everything downstream from the AP needs to be audited for capability. For that matter, even the existing WLAN design needs to be reviewed to make sure existing AP placement is suitable for expected client counts and distribution throughout the WLAN.

Now, back to cabling and switching. Migrating to Wi-Fi 6 may ultimately mean recabling and replacing switches to build bigger lanes for Wi-Fi 6 traffic all the way through the network. It’s a ripple effect in that higher-capacity switches may require bigger uplinks, and even your closet uninterruptible power supply appliances may need to be replaced to support the same amount of backup for Wi-Fi 6 APs versus Wi-Fi 5.