Many workplaces are now requiring their employees to have better Wi-Fi connections. But what happens when your workplace Wi-Fi requirements change? This means that businesses need to make sure that they have a good Wi-Fi system in place. There are a few things businesses can do to make sure their employees have the best possible Wi-Fi experience.
- First, they should make sure that their router is up to date and powerful enough to handle the number of devices that will be connecting to it.
- Secondly, they should also consider using a mesh network, which can provide better coverage for large areas.
- Finally, they should make sure that their employees know how to connect their devices to the network and troubleshoot any connection issues.
On one hand, a reliable Wi-Fi connection can be a lifesaver for remote workers; on the other hand, it can also be a security risk if not managed properly. However, by being proactive, you can ensure that your business always has the right Wi-Fi solution in place.
Here are some of the most common ways in how IT network teams can prepare to support changing workplace requirements.
1. Key Changes Impacting Wi-Fi Networks In The Workplace:
- To meet these changing requirements, employers need to make sure their Wi-Fi networks are up to date.
- Increasing the bandwidth to support video collaboration (high bandwidth, low latency) in the hybrid workplace.
- Implementing robust security measures.
- Additional IoT devices are connecting via Wi-Fi to support hyper-aware buildings and safety and compliance use cases.
- Increasing client density through the use of collaboration spaces and meeting room use.
- Better and efficient access to wireless networks is needed everywhere because employees these days spend lesser time at assigned desks.
- New office design requires new and updated indoor location applications such as way-finding or asset-tracking.
2. Refresh Wi-Fi infrastructure from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6 or 6E:
As technology advances, it’s important to keep your Wi-Fi infrastructure up to date. The latest standard is Wi-Fi 6, which offers faster speeds and more efficient connections than previous versions. If you have an older Wi-Fi 5 system, you may want to consider upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 or 6E. These newer standards provide better performance and can help future-proof your home or office. Doing so will improve your overall experience and keep you ahead of the curve. During the pandemic, some organizations were fortunate to have the budget and relatively empty workplaces to upgrade from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E. Those who have not upgraded can reexamine their technical debt and evaluate the overall employee experience. Wi-Fi 6E depicts the largest allocation of unlicensed spectrum in history. The 6 GHz band offers 1200 MHz of capacity for the US and approx. 500 MHz of capacity in the EU and UK for more throughput and faster speeds.
3. Network Requirements To Support New IoT Requirements:
As more and more workplaces adopt IoT technology, the requirements for Wi-Fi networks are changing. To support devices like touchless faucets and door locks, networks need to be able to handle higher data rates and more devices. Focusing on IoT, APs should offer support for BLE, 802.14.5/Zigbee, and USB port extensions and a robust IoT partner ecosystem. They also need to be able to support new protocols like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Zigbee. To meet these new requirements, many businesses are upgrading their Wi-Fi networks.
4. Cloud Network Management:
As the workplace continues to evolve, so do the requirements for Wi-Fi. Many employers are now requiring employees to use cloud network management to access company Wi-Fi. While this may increase security risks, it is important to remember that the benefits of cloud network management outweigh the risks. As the number of remote workers and IoT-connected devices has been high, traditional networks are becoming too difficult to manage. Adding to this problem is the often-independent management of WAN, wired, and wireless networks, orchestrated by standalone tools, leading to issues that can cause downtime and poor user experience.
- Cloud network management reduces overall IT costs – You can save money in the long run.
- Cloud network management increases IT agility – If you have a lot of employees who work remotely or travel often, cloud network management can make it easier for them to stay connected.
- Cloud network management improves IT productivity – As the workplace continues to evolve, cloud network management cloud has redefined the way businesses operate today by playing a substantial role in boosting IT productivity.
5. Update APs To Wi-Fi 6 Or Wi-Fi 6E Access Points:
If you’re wondering whether or not to update all of your APs to Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E, the answer depends on a few factors. Organizations should consider updating their APs to Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E because it will provide better performance and security. Wi-Fi 6E is the latest standard and offers some advantages over Wi-Fi 6, such as higher data rates and lower latency. However, it is not backward compatible with older devices. Therefore, organizations should consider their needs carefully before deciding which standard to implement. Aruba’s Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E APs deliver remarkable gains in capacity and security to support increased client and IoT device density, high-bandwidth applications, and cloud adoption.
6. Does Upgrading APs Require To Upgrade Switches?
In most cases, upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E does not require an update to campus switching. If your workplace is changing its Wi-Fi requirements, you may need to upgrade your APs. However, this may not require you to upgrade your campus switches. Although companies may take the opportunity to update aging switching to next-generation switches with multi-gig capabilities, such as Aruba CX Switching.
7. Know About Moving The Location Of APs When Upgrading To Wi-Fi 6E Access Points?
When upgrading to Wi-Fi 6E, you will not need to move the location of your access points (APs). The new standard operates in the same frequency bands as the current Wi-Fi standards, so your APs will be able to work with Wi-Fi 6E devices. The only exception is if you are using the 5 GHz band, which is being expanded to include the 6 GHz band. In this case, you will need to upgrade your APs to support the new band.
8. Wi-Fi 7:
There always is a temptation to wait for the latest and fastest technology. While you may be tempted to wait for the next generation of Wi-Fi, there’s no need to wait for Wi-Fi 7. The current generation of Wi-Fi is more than capable of meeting the needs of most workers. Several wireless networks have already stretched under the demands of IoT, video, and increased device density and can benefit now from the clean new spectrum – 500-1200 MHz – as well as a wider 80/160 MHz that is ideal for high-bandwidth, low-latency apps like HD videos. By the time Wi-Fi 7 AP shipments become meaningful, experts think that Wi-Fi 6E will account for over a quarter of all APs shipped.
9. Modernize Your Network:
The modern workplace requires a fast and reliable Wi-Fi connection. To meet these changing demands, businesses need to modernize their network. The right blend of solutions, acquisition, and management choices can help businesses keep up with the changing times. Solutions such as cloud-based Wi-Fi can provide the speed and reliability that businesses need. Acquisition choices such as leasing or buying equipment can help businesses get the right equipment for their needs. Management choices such as hiring a dedicated IT staff can help businesses keep the workplace connected and productive and network running smoothly.
