Delivering gigabit wireless in the enterprise with 802.11ac Dell Networking Solutions and client systems support the new wireless standard
Mobile device usage continues to grow rapidly. As more and more people rely on notebooks, smartphones and tablets for work and play, users have come to expect fast WiFi access and rich application performance. New 802.11ac wireless technology solutions can meet these expectations. The bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend in business environments is helping to drive mobile device usage. Corporate employees are adopting personally owned mobile devices for work and taking advantage of corporate choose-yourown-device policies to increase their work flexibility and use the technologies with which they are most comfortable. Organizations are encouraging this trend, recognizing the potential for boosting worker productivity, improving employee satisfaction and reducing costs. Employees use these mobile devices not only when they are working remotely but also when they are working within their company s buildings and campuses. While many organizations want to support the increasing use of mobile devices by employees (as well as customers and corporate visitors), the rising use of mobile devices within corporate wireless environments is straining the existing wireless networks. As more individuals adopt mobile devices, and use multiple devices, the number of devices used within each wireless coverage area has grown significantly. This increased device density is causing performance and capacity challenges for wireless networks, especially in typically dense environments such as classrooms, meeting rooms, cafeterias, malls and offices. Meanwhile, the growing number of mobile device users expects fast, reliable wireless performance that is comparable to wired networks, no matter where they are. 2
Fortunately, a new wireless standard will help address these challenges. Wireless standards set by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) have continuously evolved to address the changing requirements of businesses and individual users. The development of 802.11ac the next-generation IEEE standard for wireless connectivity has been driven by the need to accommodate greater device density and deliver better wireless performance. Dell has expanded its portfolio of networking solutions to support the new standard. With Dell Networking Solutions, organizations can transition their environment to 802.11ac or augment the existing environment by incorporating 802.11ac solutions alongside solutions based on earlier standards. In addition, Dell offers client systems with 802.11ac capabilities that can help individuals and businesses rapidly capitalize on the improvements available with the new standard. Delivering gigabit wireless performance The 802.11ac standard will significantly increase the possible speed of wireless connections, with first-generation 802.11ac solutions delivering three times the speed of 802.11n, the most recently introduced standard prior to 802.11ac. While solutions based on 802.11n currently offer a maximum link speed of 450 Mbps, 802.11ac solutions can currently achieve speeds of 1.3 Gbps. The 802.11ac standard allows multi-gigabit data rates, and future 802.11ac products will bring even higher performance over the next two to three years. In delivering gigabit wireless performance, 802.11ac helps bring wireless closer to parity with wired connections. Since many mobile devices lack Ethernet connectivity options, 802.11ac will provide a key means for delivering high-speed connectivity. While improving performance, networking solutions based on the 802.11ac standard can also help reduce energy consumption for client devices. The faster speeds enabled by 802.11ac networks enable client device radios to run in low-power mode more often. That mode reduces the energy consumption of the client devices and enables them to have longer operating times between charging cycles. Supporting greater device density The new standard will also help address the potential performance issues caused by the increasing density of devices. For example, offices, conference rooms, classrooms, hotel lobbies, retail spaces, cafeterias, event centers and similar environments might need to support numerous users. And increasingly, each user has multiple devices. According to one estimate, some power users carry an average of 3.2 devices now a notebook, a smartphone or two, and a tablet. 1 An area that was originally designed to support 100 users might now need to support more than 300 devices. The issues with device density are compounded by the use of devices based on older wireless standards. For example, a device using 802.11n might need to wait for an 802.11b or 802.11g client to complete its communication before the 802.11n device can communicate with the access point. In the past, the Adaptive Radio Management (ARM) capabilities included in Dell Networking Solutions helped alleviate some of the issues with environments supporting multiple generations of wireless clients. But the adoption of 802.11ac devices will create more density and capacity challenges. Solutions based on the 802.11ac standard can help address these density and capacity challenges in several ways. First, the increased performance enabled by the 802.11ac helps free up bandwidth. Devices with 802.11ac capabilities will be able to get on and off the air quickly, leaving airtime and capacity available for those older devices. Second, 802.11ac provides a greater aggregate network capacity than 801.11n. 802.11ac network environments will support a larger number of 802.11ac devices along with older devices. Third, Dell Networking Solutions preserve the high performance offered by the 802.11ac standard through the ClientMatch feature, which determines the best access point for connected devices. If a device moves into the coverage area of another access point, ClientMatch switches the client 3
to a higher-performance access point. Since not all client devices support the highest data rates (and therefore can throttle the overall network capacity), ClientMatch is especially important for deployments meant to support a high density of devices. Dell enterprise access points and controllers continuously gather session performance metrics from the connected mobile devices to steer them to the best radio in the best access point on the network. Without ClientMatch, an 802.11acenabled wireless network runs the risk of operating much slower and with reduced aggregate capacity. Fourth, the 802.11ac standard includes multiuser multipleinput and multiple-output (MU-MIMO) capabilities that will further help eliminate the potential problems caused by device density. 802.11ac access points can support multiple simultaneous conversations with client devices of different speeds. As a result, faster clients will no longer have to wait for slower ones. Organizations can support greater device density without affecting performance. Solutions that incorporate MU-MIMO are anticipated in the next generation of 802.11ac products. Finally, operating on the 5 GHz band can also help alleviate density and capacity issues. The 5 GHz band offers more spectrum and enables organizations to provide more channels to support more users and greater throughput. Changing the connectivity paradigm The introduction of 802.11ac has some important implications for the use of wireless technology. By offering data speeds comparable to wired networks, 802.11ac validates the move to wireless as the new way to access information. Organizations and individuals no longer face the trade-off between the flexibility of wireless versus the performance of wired connectivity. Organizations can now implement wireless connectivity as the default choice. Just as IT groups over the past decade have begun to virtualize all new applications unless there was a compelling reason not to, they can now institute wireless connectivity as the first choice for connectivity. With the growing BYOD trend, organizations should implement a high-performance 802.11ac infrastructure now to provide the required wireless connectivity. As employees use more personally owned devices for work, the density of wireless environments 4
and demand for high performance will increase. Since most new mobile devices will support 802.11ac, organizations need only refresh their network to deliver the benefits of 802.11ac. Dell has the expertise and solutions to help streamline that implementation. Preparing for 802.11ac As with any new implementation of wireless technology, achieving a successful deployment of 802.11ac technology requires thorough planning. Assess the current environment IT groups should first assess the current environment, monitoring traffic patterns and determining how their environment is changing. Doing so can help determine when to make a move and what locations to focus on first. For example, many organizations might find that business meeting spaces, hotel lobbies, classrooms, university auditoriums, cafeterias and other places where people congregate might be reaching wireless capacity. Moving to 802.11ac can help address those capacity issues. Conducting a thorough assessment can also help pinpoint other aspects of the network that need improvement. For example, organizations might determine that they need to increase access point density in certain locations. The same process of filling in areas that IT groups have done for 802.11n can be accomplished with 802.11ac implementations. Update the wired infrastructure Deploying 802.11ac solutions might also require some updates to the existing networking infrastructure. For example, organizations will need Powerover-Ethernet plus (PoE+) capabilities to provide 802.3at power to network-attached devices such as access points. Dell offers an array of multiport PoE+ switches to help organizations make the change. In addition, organizations should implement Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) connectivity back to the wired network if they haven t already. In fact, many organizations will benefit from deploying a dual connection to prepare for future performance requirements and the implementation of new 802.11ac features, such as the aggregation of two GbE ports. Providing the right wired connectivity to the 802.11ac access points can help ensure that users will experience excellent performance as products evolve. Organizations should increase the width of the channels they are deploying to take advantage of the bandwidth that 802.11ac offers. 802.11ac operates in the 5 GHz band, where there is more spectrum available than the 2.4 GHz band. Deploying 80 MHz channels in that 5 GHz band, rather than 40 MHz channels, can help organizations achieve improved bandwidth. Organizations should assess the spectrum and channel availability, and deploy 80 MHz channels with 802.11ac if possible. If it is not possible, using 40 MHz channels with 802.11ac can still provide higher capacity than 802.11n environments. Ensure security As with any wireless implementation, security must be among the key considerations. Choosing 802.11ac solutions with built-in security capabilities such as encryption, intrusion protection and detection, and firewall capabilities can help ensure data security. Intrusion protection system (IPS) and intrusion detection system (IDS) capabilities help prevent rogue access to the network. Create a client transition plan Organizations will see a gradual rise in use of 802.11ac client systems as more laptops, tablets and smartphones incorporate this technology. In cases where organizations are providing client systems, or enabling their employees to choose from several options, IT groups should consider creating a client transition plan. They must determine whether the availability of new wireless technology might alter their current refresh schedule, and they must select the products that best fit their needs. Clearly, taking advantage of 802.11ac wireless capabilities requires clients with 802.11ac technology. Clients supporting 802.11ac are already available in the marketplace, and hardware vendors are expected to continue to introduce new products with 802.11ac capabilities in the near 5
future. Organizations that support BYOD use cases may already have a number of employees using 802.11ac devices. To capitalize on the benefits of 802.11ac right away, organizations should start incorporating 802.11ac access points soon. Capitalizing on 802.11ac with Dell networking solutions and Dell client systems Dell offers networking infrastructure solutions plus client systems that support the 802.11ac standard. These 802.11ac solutions are part of a comprehensive, end-to-end portfolio of Dell Networking Solutions that range from switches and interconnects to wireless access points and controllers. Dell Networking Solutions provide the advantage of offering seamless interoperability with Dell servers, storage and client systems, as well as a wide range of other industrystandard products. The broad array of solutions and services from Dell can accommodate any size organization and any networking environment from the smallest businesses to the largest enterprises, from the data center to network edges. Dell services and support offerings can help organizations plan, deploy and manage wireless networks regardless of their in-house level of expertise. Dell network solutions with 802.11ac technology are ideal for organizations that want to refresh or augment their wireless network, or implement a new one with the latest capabilities. Wireless controllers, access points and integrated access management solutions help provide the security and functionality that organizations need while simplifying deployment and management. Dell W-Series Centralized mobility controllers Dell Networking W-Series Mobility Controllers are designed to meet mobility, security and management requirements for organizations of any size, from small businesses to corporate headquarters and large campus deployments. Dell ARM technology helps to ensure maximum client performance in the presence of interference while enhancing the stability and predictability of the entire WiFi network. To secure the network, administrators can implement context-aware access policies based on a user s identity and role, the type of device and application, and the time and end-user location. Centralized wireless mobility control streamlines management of access points across indoor, outdoor and remote locations. Dell Networking W-Series wireless solutions feature ClientMatch technology, which consistently monitors each client s connection to help ensure predictable performance. This capability enables clients on all access points to work at higher data rates, thereby increasing capacity of the WiFi network. Dell W-Series Access Points Dell Networking W-Series Access Points combine enterprise capabilities with deployment simplicity for both 802.11n and 802.11ac networks. Whether deployed with a physical controller or a virtual controller (as an instant access point [IAP]), these solutions enable organizations to deploy an enterprise-grade wireless local area network while delivering the affordability and ease of use of an entry-level WiFi environment. Dell access points with 802.11ac offer the same Extended Lifetime Warranty as other Dell access points. The warranty includes hardware repair or replacement for as long as the organization owns the product. Dell Networking W-Series ClearPass Access Management system The Dell Networking W-Series ClearPass Access Management system allows organizations to provide secure wireless network access to guests and employees from a single, unified platform. ClearPass helps free IT administrators from timeconsuming onboarding and provisioning processes by enabling guests and employees to self-register for network access. With ClearPass, organizations can manage policies to help prioritize traffic according to applications, providing the required bandwidth for users. ClearPass fully supports 802.11ac devices. 6
Dell OMNM and AirWave network management Dell Networking OpenManage Network Manager (OMNM) automates labor-intensive tasks while enabling monitoring and management of the entire Dell Networking Solutions portfolio including the PoE+ switches that IT might deploy with 802.11ac from a single, web-based console. The Dell Networking W-Series AirWave network management solution provides end-to-end clarity and control for managing mobile users on multi-vendor, multisite environments. Organizations gain tools for managing RF coverage, strengthening wireless security and deployment location, and designing networks for specific projects and premises. Network services Dell offers a full range of network services, including comprehensive product and technical support. Organizations can draw on deep expertise for assessing, designing and implementing a mobility strategy. By engaging Dell Networking W-Series installation and deployment services, organizations can gain a fully functioning infrastructure quickly and easily. With Dell support services, IT groups can access networking professionals 24 hours a day for help with configuration, troubleshooting and diagnostics. Dell ProSupport experts can also offer assistance with complex issues related to third-party solutions. Dell client systems Several Dell Latitude notebooks and Ultrabook systems offer 802.11ac card options to help individuals and organizations easily capitalize on the benefits of the new wireless standard. Incorporating 802.11ac support into the Dell Latitude product line will help facilitate a seamless transition to the latest wireless standard. Backward-compatibility with previous wireless standards enables organizations to refresh client systems independent of network upgrades. Some of these Dell client systems also incorporate additional mobile technologies, including LTE (long-term evolution) mobile broadband technology as well as near-field communication (NFC) technology, which can help turn an Ultrabook into a point-of-sale system in retail situations. Finding the right solutions for current and future needs Solutions based on the new 802.11ac standard will help organizations and individuals achieve better wireless performance and accommodate greater device density. By offering a full range of networking products plus client systems that support 802.11ac, Dell is helping make it easy to capitalize on new capabilities. All Dell 802.11ac solutions are compatible with 802.11n and previous standards, enabling organizations to easily augment their existing environments. 7
Whether an organization is deploying a new network, augmenting its existing network or gradually refreshing its wireless environment beginning with high-value locations, Dell solutions can help streamline the implementation of this new technology. Organizations can adopt Dell solutions to meet current needs while providing a scalable foundation for the future. For more information about Dell Networking Solutions, visit: Dell.com/networking To learn more about Dell Wireless Solutions, visit: Dell.com/wireless To learn more about Dell Mobility Solutions, visit: dellmobilitysolutions.com 1 David Johnson, Hot off the Press: What Clients are Asking About with Workforce Computing, Forrester Research, July 2012, http://blogs.forrester.com/david_johnson/12-07-30-hot_off_the_press_what_clients_are_asking_about_with_workforce_computing 2013 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. For more information, contact Dell. Dell, the DELL logo, the DELL badge, Latitude and OpenManage are trademarks of Dell Inc. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own. August 2013 8