WiFi Evolution Drives the Need for Multigigabit Networks

    33

    Wave 2 of 802.11ac also introduces a new feature called multi-user multiple-input, multiple-output (MU-MIMO), which utilizes “beamforming.” With MU-MIMO, a Wave 2 802.11ac access point (AP) can send and receive data from up to four radio clients simultaneously. Juxtapose this with a three-stream 802.11n AP or an 802.11ac Wave 1 AP, where each AP can talk to only one client at a time, one after the other. MU-MIMO makes the wireless network much more efficient.

    The evolution of WiFi to 802.11ac Wave 2 is a significant step forward for wireless networks. Historically, the wireless network acted very much like a network hub where all of the clients accessing the network shared the available bandwidth. If one of the devices happened to access a bandwidth-consuming application, such as videoconferencing, it would degrade the performance of the network for all users.

    The combination of increased speed and MU-MIMO enables 802.11ac Wave 2 APs to deliver performance similar to that of a network switch (Exhibit 2), where bandwidth can be dedicated to individual users. Now, workers can use any application on any device and be assured of consistent application performance.

    Previous articleTwo Key Questions to Ensure Benefits of Your Cloud Implementation
    Next articleIntelligent WAN Technology Design Guide