I asked Cisco about what 6 GHz means for their APs and their response is: "6Hz will require new hardware for both APs and clients. We expect major chip makers to have their products ready by the end of 2020. By early 2021 we expect to see a few 6Hz capable consumer access points and high-end client devices like smartphones, tablets and laptops followed by enterprise-grade access points later in 2021."
If that's the case, I imagine we won't be deploying 6 GHz APs until at least the summer or fall of 2022 and maybe even longer before we can even start using 6 GHz channels while client devices catch up. As for power, we've been deploying UPOE for a few years, but most APs are hooked up to PoE+, so hopefully that's enough for full WiFi capabilities at least. Heck, we're still trying to get away from 100M/15.4W switches in 20 or so buildings. We don't have mGig anywhere yet, but I don't think we'll be seeing more than 1Gbps needed through an AP for a while. I'd be interested if anyone does. I'm with you on the code problems, Lee. I believe no new product should be on our network until it's been receiving software updates for at least a year. We got burned by Cisco 2800s in 2016, but they're great APs now. Would we have been better off with another year's worth of 2700s in use today and avoiding the first year of 2800 issues? Technically probably not, but it's a matter of community perspective also. From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Community Group Listserv <WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU> On Behalf Of Lee H Badman Sent: Friday, April 24, 2020 10:34 AM To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] Are You Ready for WiFi6E *Message sent from a system outside of UConn.* Hi Hector, More channels in and of itself is fantastic, even if we don't bond them up into huge wide ones. As for APs being hurried out, I'm more interested in how clients will roll out. I don't have a lot of faith in certain WLAN vendors getting 6 GHz right for a while, given track records to date of shotgunning alpha quality code onto the market. Also halfway expect the license-happy idiocy that's becoming pervasive to apply to new hardware and what you are "allowed" to do in 6 GHz, despite it being unlicensed by the FCC. Lee Badman ________________________________ From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Community Group Listserv <WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU<mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU>> on behalf of Rios, Hector J <hector.r...@austin.utexas.edu<mailto:hector.r...@austin.utexas.edu>> Sent: Friday, April 24, 2020 10:15:35 AM To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU<mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU> Subject: [WIRELESS-LAN] Are You Ready for WiFi6E Now that the FCC has approved the 6GHz band, I wonder what others are doing in terms of planning. There is a lot to think about and unlike prior announcements, this one really is a game changer. Here are some thoughts: *Vendors should be rushing to make APs and make them available possibly this year. *The assumption is that the new radios will be tri radios. I'm sure vendors will get creative. *More radios chains and more features (BLE, USB, Zigbee) mean more power needs. *Faster more efficient technology means faster speeds required: 2.5G/5G. *Will your existing infrastructure be capable to handle the new technology? Today, most likely not. *If in the middle of a lifecycle, do you continue or do you wait? For those that are super excited, here are some last things to think about: Higher modulations require higher levels of SNR. Higher frequencies have shorter wavelengths and more trouble getting through objects. Bonding channels raises your noise floor and also requires higher receiver sensitivity. There are a ton of other things to consider. What say you? Regards, Hector Rios The University of Texas at Austin ********** Replies to EDUCAUSE Community Group emails are sent to the entire community list. If you want to reply only to the person who sent the message, copy and paste their email address and forward the email reply. Additional participation and subscription information can be found at https://www.educause.edu/community<https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.educause.edu%2Fcommunity&data=02%7C01%7Ceg%40UCONN.EDU%7Cbcdf294452764f707da308d7e85c8a4c%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C637233356467818949&sdata=SePMDDMD5JUfgAKIdcaC0lzLZ0T6CDOmELN%2ForYKgQw%3D&reserved=0> ********** Replies to EDUCAUSE Community Group emails are sent to the entire community list. If you want to reply only to the person who sent the message, copy and paste their email address and forward the email reply. Additional participation and subscription information can be found at https://www.educause.edu/community<https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.educause.edu%2Fcommunity&data=02%7C01%7Ceg%40UCONN.EDU%7Cbcdf294452764f707da308d7e85c8a4c%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C637233356467818949&sdata=SePMDDMD5JUfgAKIdcaC0lzLZ0T6CDOmELN%2ForYKgQw%3D&reserved=0> ********** Replies to EDUCAUSE Community Group emails are sent to the entire community list. If you want to reply only to the person who sent the message, copy and paste their email address and forward the email reply. Additional participation and subscription information can be found at https://www.educause.edu/community
