Choosing Your Next Wireless Network: Cisco Access Points Wi-Fi 5-7

As we celebrate the release of Cisco’s Wi-Fi 7 access points (APs), we have provided a guide to help you discern which Cisco (Wi-Fi 5-6E) AP is right for your environment, and how they stack up against the latest generation Wi-Fi 7. Each model and speed will benefit a particular business and budget, so utilize the tables below and take note of your business needs.

APs are an essential part of any Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN network) that allows wireless devices to connect to the network. They run on a predetermined set of wireless (Wi-Fi) standards that govern how devices communicate over a wireless network. This ensures compatibility and optimization across devices. Essentially, they are the bridge that connects all the wireless devices so they can properly communicate and share information.

Bandwidth increase, speed increase, size decrease – these are all factors you can expect when jumping up the Wi-Fi ladder. Starting at Wi-Fi 5 and moving up to the new Wi-Fi 7, the two tables below detail the functionality for each Wi-Fi generation, followed by in-depth descriptions of each.

Table 1:

Note: APs can be powered by Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches or through a separate Power Injector/Adapter. All generations of APs noted in Table 1 typically use the same 30W PoE+ (802.3at) except for certain models that require higher 60W UPoE (802.3bt) for optimal performance.

Table 2:

Wi-Fi 5

• 80Mhz Channel
• Increased Spatial Streams up to 4×4

Wi-Fi 5 operates in the 5Ghz band and added 80MHz channel, which helps increase higher theoretical speeds and reduces the chances of interference. This first-generation Wi-Fi 5, however, only supports single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO). Wi-Fi 5 wireless APs are ideal for customers looking to save on CapEx who do not require high speeds for multiple clients. This speed fits perfectly into the single-location business model that operates on a smaller scale.

Wi-Fi 5 Wave 2

• 160Mhz Channel
• Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO)

Wi-Fi 5 Wave 2 has two main upgrades from the standard Wi-Fi 5. The first is MU-MIMO, which enables simultaneous data transmission to multiple devices and improves network capacity, especially in crowded environments (limited to client downloads). The second is a larger channel of 160Mhz compared to 80Mhz, which increases data transfer speeds. Note: Wi-Fi 5 and 5 Wave 2 are only supported in the 5Ghz band. Wi-Fi 5 Wave 2 APs offer a cost-effective solution for increasing network capacity and performance in high-density client environments. By leveraging MU-MIMO (a standard feature in newer Wi-Fi Technology), these APs provide improved efficiency and throughput without the premium price tag of newer Wi-Fi technology.

Wi-Fi 6

• OFDMA
• MU-MIMO (up/down)
• Increased Spatial Streams up to 8×8
• Support in the 2.4 and 5Ghz Bands
• Maximum Throughput of 9.6Gbps

OFDMA increases the number of users who can communicate over a shared channel, accommodating larger businesses or allowing businesses to downsize the number of APs needed for a given system. MU-MIMO has also been upgraded, allowing simultaneous data transmission to multiple devices in the download and upload communication. Wi-Fi 6 boasts additional spatial streams, which help with increasing client density. It is supported in the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands. Wi-Fi 6 APs are ideal for large-scale, high-density, and data-intensive applications.

Wi-Fi 6E

• 6Ghz Band

The addition of the 6Ghz band for the Wi-Fi 6E comes with many benefits. First, it increases data rates, giving businesses faster and more reliable speeds. Second, 6Ghz is less congested than the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands, directly equating to lower latency and delay. These APs are ideal for high-density environments and end-users who have upgraded their high-bandwidth clients to support the 6Ghz band.

Wi-Fi 7

• 320Mhz Channel
• 16×16 Spatial Streams
• OFDMA Extensions
• MLO
• 1Gbps

Just like previous generations, additional channels and spatial streams increase capacity and speeds.  With Wi-Fi 7, theoretical speeds can be as high as 46Gbps. OFDMA has also been upgraded with extensions. These extensions improve the channel segmentation based on device type and requirement, improving efficiency and reduction of latency in scenarios with diverse traffic loads. Additionally, MLO enables devices to use multiple frequency bands simultaneously as an extra boost of speed and lower latency. These APs are ideal for the highest density and resource-hungry applications that require more than 9.6Gbps throughput.

Cisco Access Points

We have broken down the Cisco APs by Wi-Fi (5-7) speed, so you can find the right product at your ideal speed. All products are available for purchase at Curvature (Wi-Fi 7 pending).

Wi-Fi 5 (802.11AC)

Wi-Fi 5 Wave (802.11AC Wave 2)

Wi-Fi 6 Wave (802.11AX)

Wi-Fi 6E Wave (802.11AX Extended)

Wi-Fi 7 (Latest Generation)

Save this guide for your next install and reach out to Curvature with any questions!
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