I don't know about y’all, but I find it a bit funny that I only had Wi-Fi 6 placed in my home earlier this year. Now, we are already talking about the next advancement in Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7. It’s like, you think you are up-to-date with technology, but the next big thing is usually right around the corner.
Anyways, back to the topic of Wi-Fi 7.
Wi-Fi 7 is a leap forward from Wi-Fi 6 because it promises to deliver speeds up to four times faster than its predecessor. However, one of the more notable features of Wi-Fi 7 is its ability to utilize wider channels. By operating on channels as wide as 320MHz, Wi-Fi 7 transmits more data simultaneously. Additionally, it employs advanced modulation techniques, such as 4K QAM, to pack more information into each signal. These combined improvements result in a substantial boost in overall performance.
Wi-Fi 7 also introduces features designed to improve network efficiency and reliability. It supports multiple simultaneous streams to allow devices to communicate more effectively in crowded environments. And on top of all that, Wi-Fi 7 incorporates advanced power-saving mechanisms to prolong battery life for wireless devices.
The thing is, however, Wi-Fi 7 requires advanced APs and switches to assure outstanding performance and scale. They also need advanced AIOps and secure access to facilitate migration to the latest wireless standard and assure the best user experiences on an ongoing basis.
Therefore, Juniper Networks recently announced several key enhancements to its AI-Native Networking Platform that enable customers and partners to take full advantage of the emerging 802.11be amendment (Wi-Fi 7).
The AP47 Series Access Points offer exceptional performance, integrated location services and advanced AI capabilities. These tri-band, four-radio APs support dual-5GHz or dual-6GHz operation and feature a dedicated scanning radio. AI-driven RRM, specifically tailored for Wi-Fi 7, optimizes capacity by automating channel, power, and multi-link operations.
The AP47 Series also functions as a converged Wi-Fi/IT/OT/IoT gateway, incorporating dual Bluetooth LE (BLE) radios and Ultra Wideband technology. This enables new applications that drive business value and improve user experiences.
High-Power EX Series Switches will complement the AP47 Series by providing the necessary infrastructure to support Wi-Fi 7's speed and capacity. These switches offer increased multigigabit port density, AI-Native architecture and up to 3600W power.
Juniper's focus on sustainability is evident in the EX Series Switches, which can be used to power smart buildings and reduce inefficiencies. The switch family also includes temperature- and environment-hardened models, which makes them suitable for outdoor use in demanding environments.
Additionally, Juniper Mist Access Assurance boosts Wi-Fi 7 networks with strong security features that regulate and monitor network access, guaranteeing only approved and compliant devices join the network. As Wi-Fi 7 networks facilitate greater speeds and a larger number of connected devices, efficient network access control is vital for shielding sensitive data and assets to ensure a secure network environment. The company’s recently introduced AI Care Services utilize the power of AI to transform the support model from manual and reactive to automated and proactive.
“Competing solutions may struggle with the additional complexity of configuring and optimizing Wi-Fi networks resulting from recently expanded RF spectrum available for use and additional features of Wi-Fi 7,” said Sudheer Matta, GVP Products for Campus and Branch, Juniper Networks (News - Alert). “Juniper’s unique AI for Wi-Fi 7 leverages reinforced learning to optimize channel and power settings to maximize the performance and experience for end users and devices, without manual tuning. This helps our customers move away from complex, hard-to-troubleshoot legacy controller-based architectures, where it’s nearly impossible to build a self-driving AI-Native network.”
By combining new Juniper Mist Wi-Fi 7 APs and high-power campus EX switches with Juniper’s Mist AI and cloud-native networking and security services, Juniper’s wired and wireless Local Area Networking access solution uniquely maximizes the full potential of Wi-Fi 7 while enabling a seamless, cost-effective and more sustainable transition to the latest wireless technology.
Edited by
Alex Passett
