It has been a year since we started hearing about the advantages of the revolutionary Wi-Fi 6 standard from a technological standpoint. The Russian regulatory framework for this standard is going through the approval stages and will come into effect in a few months, creating conditions for the certification of communication facilities.
I will focus on what the leading vendor in the field of corporate wireless networks offers beyond the standard, a company where I have worked for nearly 12 years — Cisco. It is in what lies outside the framework of the standard that interesting opportunities manifest, warranting close attention.
The future of Wi-Fi 6 already looks promising:
- Wi-Fi is the most popular wireless access technology by the number of devices in use. Its relatively inexpensive chipset makes it possible to embed it in millions of affordable IoT devices, further contributing to its spread. Currently, dozens of different endpoints already support Wi-Fi 6.
- is truly unprecedented. The FCC is allocating an additional 1200 MHz for unlicensed use, which will significantly enhance the capabilities of Wi-Fi 6, as well as subsequent technologies, such as the already discussed Wi-Fi 7. The ability to ensure application performance, combined with the availability of a wide spectrum, truly opens up enormous prospects. Each country has its own regulations, and so far there’s been no news in the RF regarding the release of the 6 GHz band, but we hope that the global movement won’t go unnoticed by us.
- In relation to Wi-Fi 6, there is a powerful activity in interaction with 5G mobile networks, for instance, the Open Roaming initiative, which promises new interesting services operating seamlessly across different networks for users. The approach to providing cross-network services in mobile and Wi-Fi networks has been attempted multiple times, but never before have we come this far in this direction.
Cisco Catalyst 9100 series Wi-Fi 6 access points
The access points of the new standard differ in design. The entire series is similar in appearance, differing only in size. The access points use a common mounting system, making it easy to replace one with another.
All Cisco Wi-Fi 6 access points share:
- the certification of Wi-Fi 6.
- support for 802.11ax in both bands — 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
- support for OFDMA in uplink and downlink
- support for MU-MIMO in uplink and downlink for simultaneous interaction with a group of client devices using spatially separated streams
- Value BSS coloring in HD scenarios is difficult to overestimate. This long-awaited technology, borrowed from mobile networks, performs excellently in high-density scenarios where radio devices using the same frequency channel come into proximity.
BSS coloring is the ability of an access point to group its clients so that it listens only to its own and ignores others. As a result, the efficiency of air time usage increases, as the air is not considered busy when used by foreign clients and access points. Previously, directional antennas and RX-SOP mechanisms were used in HD scenarios. However, BSS coloring significantly outperforms these methods in efficiency. The collision domain threshold at -82dBm can cover up to 100 meters, while the threshold of 72dBm, where communication is still effective, is significantly lower. As a result, clients, hearing others, fall silent and do not transmit.
- Target Wake Time – scheduling the wake-up timing with devices instead of the previously used collision method of Listen-Before-Talk. The device can be put into sleep mode for extended periods, even years, saving battery and air time that were previously required for regular maintenance communications.
- Technologies built-in security ensure that the client device is indeed what it claims to be, that no tampering has occurred with its operating system and it is not masquerading as another device to infiltrate the network.
- Support for Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller, software wireless controller that runs directly on the access point. EWC provides management of access points without the need to purchase and maintain a separate wireless controller. This solution is ideal for distributed networks and organizations with limited IT resources. With EWC, a network can be launched in just a few steps directly from a mobile app. The functionality of EWC mirrors the advanced capabilities of a full-fledged enterprise-grade wireless access controller.
- Proactive troubleshooting Network management and automation are facilitated through the implementation of Cisco DNA architecture. Access points deliver in-depth analytics about the condition of the radio frequency, network, and client devices to the DNA Center. As a result, the network self-diagnoses and identifies anomalies, allowing for proactive troubleshooting before a dissatisfied customer calls. Access management is conducted for user groups based on connection context—such as device type, connection security level, requested application, user role, etc. By segmenting in this way and restricting access, we significantly enhance the security of the wireless network.
- Optimized performance with Apple and Samsung devices (and the list will continue to grow). In the past, Cisco provided optimized Wi-Fi connectivity only for Apple devices. This optimization involved aligning the implementation of Wi-Fi communications between the network infrastructure and endpoint devices to enhance the device's connection to the network—selecting the nearest and least loaded access point, quick roaming, and prioritizing applications in the wireless network from the moment packets are queued for transmission in the radio frequency on a mobile device. This partnership has now expanded, and Samsung devices also benefit from optimal connectivity.
The flagship product is the Cisco Catalyst 9130 Series Access Point. This access point is designed for large enterprises actively using IoT. It is the most reliable, high-performance, secure, and intelligent access point.
Cisco Catalyst Series 9130 Wi-Fi 6
The C9130 utilizes 4 Wi-Fi radios, which can transform into 5 when an 8x8 radio in the 5GHz band operates in a 4x4 dual radio mode. This division is called Flexible Radio Assignment (FRA), allowing the access point to dynamically decide which mode operates best given the current load and interference. By default, the access point operates in a 2x radio mode— 8x8 in 5GHz and 4x4 in 2.4GHzHowever, when network load increases or during high interference, when it is more efficient to use narrower channels, the access point can switch to a mode of operation with three radio systems, enhancing network performance for connecting more devices or adapting to the current interference scenario.
Traditionally, Cisco develops its own chipset — Cisco RF ASIC — for top-notch wireless solutions. This idea arose when tasks related to analyzing the radio spectrum on a shared radio began to consume significant time away from customer service. The Cisco RF ASIC features an additional radio for interference detection and optimal radio planning, IPS tasks — which are absolutely essential for security in large corporations and for determining client locations. When spectrum analysis tasks are shifted to a dedicated radio, we immediately see about a 25% increase in the access point's performance.
The multi-gigabit port with a performance of 5 Gb/s allows the captured traffic to be transmitted without bottlenecks.
Intelligent Capture continuously tests the network and sends the results of deep analysis to Cisco DNA Center, detecting over 200 anomalies, analyzing traffic at the packet level, and acting as an integrated network administrator. This is done without compromising customer service performance.
The Cisco Catalyst 9130 access point is the industry's first to operate in 8x8 mode with external antennas. To connect such a special antenna, a special intelligent connector is used, which is covered with a yellow cap in the photo. The external antenna enables complex radio designs in high-density scenarios – in stadiums, classrooms, etc. The familiar LED found on access points is also present on the external antenna, allowing for a quick assessment of the equipment's operational status on-site. Interestingly, the standard office antenna this time is designed in the same aesthetic as the access point – take a look at the photo below and try to find 3 differences!
The widest channels — 160 MHz are supported.
The 5e radio in the access point is Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5 for use in IoT stories, for example, to track the movements of tagged BLE beacons for equipment and people or for in-building navigation. The access point also supports protocols in the 802.15.4 series, such as Zigbee for example, for working with Imagotag electronic price tags.
In addition to the IoT story, it supports container deployment for applications right on the access point, which can be quite useful for those same electronic price tags.
Second in line is the Cisco Catalyst 9120 access point. Its functionality is slightly limited compared to the Cisco Catalyst 9130, as it is a star, not a star+ model. However, the available functionality is all that a medium-sized corporation needs. It uses the same hardware platform as the Cisco Catalyst 9130 and is the most popular access point for corporate use.
Cisco Catalyst 9120 Series Wi-Fi 6 Access Point
The radio of the C9120 operates under the scheme 4×4 + 4×4, with options to enable both radios in the 5 GHz band for increased performance or operate in the standard way – in 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz (FRA functionality). FRA functionality was first introduced in the previous generation of Cisco Aironet access points, series 2800 and 3800, and has performed well in the field. The C9120 access point forms 4 spatial streams on the radio.
There are options with internal and external antennas, one of which is for professional installation, a powerful directional antenna for special complex situations, such as stadiums or rooms with high ceilings.
From the functionality of the Cisco Catalyst 9130 described above, the Catalyst 9120 supports: Cisco RF ASIC, FRA, smart connector for Smart Antenna, wide channels at 160 MHz, Intelligent Capture, integrated BLE 5 (as well as Zigbee), container support.
Differences: multi-gigabit port with a performance of 2.5 Gbps.
The most budget-friendly (for now!) yet still quite interesting in terms of performance and features is the Cisco Catalyst 9115 access point.
Cisco Catalyst 9115 Series Wi-Fi 6 Access Point
The main difference of this access point is the use of standard industry chipsets.
Operation scheme – 4x4 in 5 GHz and 4x4 in 2.4 GHz. Options are available with internal and external antennas.
The features described for the older models in the Catalyst 9115 series include: Intelligent Capture, integrated BLE 5, and a multigigabit port with a performance of 2.5 Gb/s.
The collection of new access points would not be complete without the Cisco Catalyst 9800 series wireless controller.
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Wireless LAN Controllers
The C9800 series controllers feature a number of important improvements:
- Increased availability – software updates on the controller and access points, connecting new access points are carried out without interrupting network service..
- Security – it supports the detection of malware in encrypted traffic (ETA),as well as a range of built-in security features that ensure the device is not compromised and is what it claims to be.
- The controller is built on the Cisco IOS XE operating system, which provides a set of APIs for integration with third-party systems and implementation of new levels of automation. Automating network management tasks is now seen as an extremely relevant task, which is why programmability is a common theme across all Cisco enterprise network products. An example of API usage could be the interaction of the controller with an IT service management (ITSM) system, where the controller sends analytics on client devices and access points, and receives back scheduling agreements for software updates. The program , includes API documentation, training, a sandbox, and a professional community to support those who write code for Cisco equipment.
Available models include:
- hardware options – Cisco C9800-80 and C9800-40 with uplinks of 80 and 40 Gb/s respectively, and a compact option for small networks, Cisco C9800-L with a 20 Gb/s uplink,
- software options Cisco C9800-CL, deployed in private and public clouds, on a Catalyst 9K switch or on an access point in the C9800 Embedded Wireless Controller variant.
For existing networks, it is important that the new controllers support the previous 2 generations of access points, allowing for a smooth deployment and phased migration.
In the near future, there will be in-depth sessions on wireless access as part of — an informed community of corporate network professionals. Join us!
Additional documentation
Source: habr.com
