
Juniper is embracing the progression towards Wi-Fi 7 with the introduction of new switches and access points designed to enhance throughput, reduce latency, and increase range for enterprise wireless applications.
The company has introduced new EX Series Ethernet access switches – the EX4400-48MXP and EX4400-48XP – that are compatible with Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 access points. These are managed through the Juniper Mist cloud, equipped with a set of tools for managing both wired and wireless enterprise networks. This AI-powered Mist Cloud utilizes Juniper’s Mist AI and Marvis virtual network assistant technology to identify and solve network issues such as failing clients, faulty cables, coverage problems with access-points, and troublesome WAN links.
The 1U EX4400-48MXP supports 1/10GbE access ports, 100GbE uplink/stacking, optional uplinks of 10/25/40/100GbE, Power-over-Ethernet up to 90W per port with a total of 3600W, and boasts a switching capacity of 1020 Gbps. The 1U EX4400-48XP features similar specifications with a 696 Gbps switching capacity.
A ruggedized version of the 4400 series switch is also available which can endure extreme conditions including high vibrations and shocks, designed for environments currently using Wi-Fi 6 and 6E, with an upgrade path to Wi-Fi 7, as noted by Juniper.
The EX4400 series offers comprehensive Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionalities suitable for use in campus, branch, and data center top-of-rack deployments, as per Juniper. These switches can be connected in a virtual chassis configuration using two 100GbE ports, with up to 10 units linked together. The power over Ethernet (PoE) capability of the EX4400s makes them particularly fitting for deploying Wi-Fi 7, running intelligent building systems—including smart lighting and HVAC systems—and supporting various PoE devices, according to Juniper.
For network access, Juniper introduced three new models in their AP47 Series: the AP47 with built-in omni-directional antennas; the AP47D featuring directional antennas; and the AP47E designed for use with external antennas.
The AP47 line is equipped with a tri-band, four-radio setup that supports either dual-5GHz or dual-6GHz modes, along with a dedicated scanning radio and two gigabit Ethernet ports. These are optimized for Wi-Fi 7 through an AI-assisted Radio Resource Management system that automatically manages channel selection, power settings, and multi-link operations.
Additionally, the AP47 series serves as a unified Wi-Fi, IT, OT, and IoT gateway, integrating dual Bluetooth LE (BLE) and Ultra Wideband (UWB) radios to facilitate new applications, detailed Juniper.
Juniper is now among the suppliers of Wi-Fi 7 products, though widespread adoption in enterprises might still take a few more years.
The anticipated improvements in speed and performance from Wi-Fi 7 are poised to catalyze advancements in mobile and IoT technologies as well as enable new applications requiring multi-gigabit speeds. Juniper highlights potential uses in high-definition video streaming, immersive 3D training, hybrid workplace setups, industrial IoT, automotive tech, and emergency communications.
Wi-Fi 7 boasts distinct advantages such as Extremely High Throughput (EHT), which can achieve top data rates over 40Gbps, a significant leap over past Wi-Fi standards. It focuses on advanced physical (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) layers to support a minimum throughput of 30Gbps, according to specialists.
An innovative feature, multi-link operation (MLO), enables devices to simultaneously transmit and receive data across various frequency bands and channels, increasing wireless connectivity efficiency. Wi-Fi 7 also incorporates enhanced security measures like encryption and authentication through WPA3 Enterprise.
There have been several advancements in Wi-Fi 7 technology throughout the year. A key event was the approval of a certification standard by the Wi-Fi Alliance in January 2024, as highlighted on their website. Another notable development was Apple’s implementation of Wi-Fi 7 in its latest iPhone 16 model.
Collaborative efforts in the industry have notably strengthened with Cisco and Intel enhancing their partnership to further develop Wi-Fi 7 technologies, which aims to improve interoperability between Cisco’s access points and Intel’s client devices. Concurrently, Fortinet introduced a secure Wi-Fi 7 access point and switch capable of handling the technology’s increased data rates and throughput demands.
The market landscape for Wi-Fi 7 has been volatile, according to industry analysts. A recent Dell’Oro Group report indicated a rise in enterprise-class wireless LAN market revenues to $2.2 billion, with a notable quick adoption of Wi-Fi 7, spearheaded by Huawei which accounted for over half of global shipments. This report also noted significant sales of Wi-Fi 6E APs, particularly in North America, despite a decline in sales compared to the previous year.
“Despite a year-over-year decline in WLAN revenues, the recent quarter-on-quarter growth marks the first in twelve months, signaling hopeful signs for the industry,” commented Siân Morgan, research director at Dell’Oro Group. “Amid fluctuating market shares due to supply chain disruptions, notable changes include Juniper’s Mist WLAN rising three spots, surpassing CommScope, Extreme, and H3C over the past four quarters. With the market stabilizing, competition among vendors to regain positions is expected to intensify.”
Additionally, The 650 Group reported a 24% annual decline in the enterprise wireless LAN infrastructure market in the first quarter, totaling about $2.3 billion. However, cloud-managed WLAN services saw a 6% growth in revenue year-over-year, outperforming the general market downturn.
“We are seeing a shift towards patterns reminiscent of the pre-pandemic landscape, with the market expanding by nearly $200M sequentially in the second quarter of 2024,” added Chris DePuy, founder and technology analyst at 650 Group. “Looking forward, we expect significant trends to include the adoption of Wi-Fi 7 technology, ongoing growth in cloud-managed services, and AI networking as key market differentiators.”
“Comparisons with the previous year will likely become more favorable starting from the third quarter of 2024 due to an earlier inventory adjustment period beginning in the third quarter of 2023. Companies like Cisco Systems, Ubiquiti, Extreme Networks, and HPE/Aruba Networking are poised to capitalize on these dynamics,” DePuy forecasted.
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