WiFi 6 – The latest wireless standard
As well as a speed boost for single users, busy and client-dense environments also benefit significantly.
Lower latency (lag), less pauses in connectivity, greater overall performance for more users are all a result of both the improvement in speed achieved and more efficient resource sharing.
The enhanced speeds, more than previously capable while many users may be downloading content at the same time, are achieved by WiFi 6 – or 802.11ax, to use it’s bandwidth term – bringing in advanced new techologies and features, whilst taking full advantage of some that have already been used to great effect in 4G and LTE networks.
The key technologies are:
OFDMA – Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access
4G and Wi-Fi 6 use OFDMA to provide data to many ussers at once through sharing radio frequencies between multiple users.
Previous Wi-Fi standards use access points to communicate with wireless clients, sending to one client beforer moving on to the next. As the number of clients increase, the more inefficient this system becomes, leading to more packet loss, laggy video and buffering.
On the other hand, OFDMA allows Wi-Fi 6 to split the access point’s channel bandwidth into Resource Units. Using complex scheduling, it can then deligate the resources to the users who need it the most.
BSS Colouring – Less Interference with BSS Colouring
Managing interferences with wireless networks will be a thing of the past with BSS Colouring, removing the need for this difficult and time consuming task and the possibility of other networks interfering with your performance.
BBS Colouring, the Basic Serive Set or Access Point, has been utilised by Wi-Fi 6 to add an identifier to its transmissions to determine whether they are from their own network or another. If the transmission doesn’t match the identifier assigned by the network, the client can choose to ignore it, focusing only on their own transmissions.
This allows installations to safely overlap access points on the same channel, improving performance and allowing more control over interference.
Dual-Band – Performance Boost and Improved Range with 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi 6
2.4GHz and 5GHz are the primary frequencies in wireless networking. 2.4GHz frequencies are smaller and require more crowded spaces to operate compared to 5GHz.
Whilst 5GHz can cover larger areas, it can struggle to pass through objects like walls and floors due to its lower frequency.
Wi-Fi 6, using the 802.11ax standard, allows the performance of both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands to be improved, and utilizes the benefits of both to create the best performing technology available.
Target Wake Time – Better Battery Life on Mobile Devices with Target Wake Time
With the ever growing need and uses for smart devices, improving battery life should always a priority. Wi-Fi 6 allows clients to extend their battery life through Target Wake Time, keeping devices in low power states for longer periods and only checking in with wireless networks when essential.
Wi-Fi 6 client devices will arrange with the access point when to start transmitting again to suit their schedules.
WPA3 Security – Stronger Security with the latest WPA3 Encryption
WPA3-Enterprise, the latest security standard, offers greater 192-bit encryption strength using RADIUS & 802.1x authentication. Using 802.1q VLANs to segment access points from eachother, internal company data can be fully segregated and protected from other network access.
Now that the more technical aspects of WiFi 6 have been looked into, you’ll need some hardware to take advantage of what WiFi 6 has to offer!
DrayTek V2866AX-K Vigor Wi-Fi 6 G.fast/DSL Ethernet Wireless Router
G.Fast VPN Router for Small Business and Remote Working
The Vigor 2866 series is DrayTek’s G.Fast / VDSL and Ethernet Multi-WAN Firewall VPN router. Ideally suited to connect directly to Ultrafast G.Fast broadband and Superfast VDSL. Providing advanced Firewall and Content Filtering, Quality of Service and VPN with Gigabit throughput.
Options for Wi-Fi 6 on ‘ax’ models, or Wi-Fi 5 ‘ac’ models provide fast & efficient wireless connectivity, while the integrated 4G+ LTE modem on ‘Lac’ models takes full advantage of mobile broadband. The Vigor 2866 series provides a reliable, flexible, and secure networking solution, that’s ideal for Home Offices, Small Business and Satellite Offices.
Features:
- G.fast (Ultrafast Fibre), VDSL2 (Superfast Fibre), ADSL and Ethernet Router
- Multi-WAN Gigabit Performance Router with Load-Balancing & Failover
- Up to 950Mbps Firewall Throughput for Ethernet WAN
- 5+1 Gigabit RJ-45 LAN Ports
- Up to 800Mbps VPN Throughput with IPsec acceleration
- 32 LAN-to-LAN & Remote Teleworker VPN Tunnels
- 16 DrayTek SSL VPN or OpenVPN Tunnels
- AX3000 – Wi-Fi 6 Dual Band Wireless
- 8 LAN Subnets with VLANs (Port-based / 802.1q)
- SPI Firewall and Content Filtering
- Optional VigorCare Available
- Can be centrally Managed by VigorACS
DrayTek V2865AX-K Vigor 2865ax VDSL router
with Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 wireless
DrayTek’s Vigor 2865 series Multi-WAN Firewall VPN routers are ideal for Superfast VDSL Broadband and Ethernet-based FTTP Fibre Broadband. With Gigabit throughput, Quality of Service, VPN client/server, comprehensive Firewall and Content Filtering controls.
Wi-Fi is available on ‘ac’ models and the integrated 4G+ LTE modem on ‘Lac’ models takes full advantage of mobile broadband. The Vigor 2865 series provides a reliable, fl exible, and secure networking solution, that’s ideal for Home Offi ces, Small Business and Satellite Offices.
Features:
- VDSL2 (Superfast Fibre) and Gigabit Ethernet WAN Router.
- Multi-WAN Gigabit Performance Router with Load-Balancing & Failover.
- Up to 950Mbps Firewall Throughput for Ethernet WAN.
- 5+1 Gigabit RJ-45 LAN Ports.
- Up to 800Mbps VPN Throughput with IPsec acceleration.
- 32 LAN-to-LAN & Remote Teleworker VPN Tunnels.
- 16 DrayTek SSL VPN or OpenVPN Tunnels.
- AX3000 – Wi-Fi 6 Dual Band Wireless.
- 8 LAN Subnets with VLANs (Port-based / 802.1q).
- SPI Firewall and Content Filtering.
- Optional VigorCare Available.
- Can be centrally Managed by VigorACS.
DrayTek V2927AX-K Vigor 2927ax Router
with Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 wireless
The DrayTek Vigor 2927ax Dual-WAN WiFi 6 Broadband Router allows you to make the most of FTTP Fibre Broadband with Gigabit WAN throughput, extensive Firewall, Content Filtering, VPN client/server and Quality of Service controls. The Vigor 2927ax features WiFi 6, providing fast and efficient AX3000 wireless networking to your computers and devices. OFDMA enables the router to send data to more than one client at a time. The V2927ax provides a reliable, flexible, and secure network solution, ideal for small businesses and home offices.
The DrayTek Vigor 2927ax Dual-WAN Load Balancing Firewall VPN Router allows you to make the most of FTTP Fibre Broadband with Gigabit WAN throughput, extensive Firewall, Content Filtering, VPN client/server and Quality of Service controls.
Features:
- Dual-WAN Gigabit Ethernet WAN Router with Load Balancing & Failover
- Up to 950Mbps Throughput per WAN interface, 1800Mbps in total
- Up to 300Mbps IPsec VPN Throughput
- 50 LAN-to-LAN & Remote Teleworker VPN Tunnels
- 25 DrayTek SSL VPN or OpenVPN Tunnels
- 5+1 Gigabit RJ-45 LAN Ports
- AX3000 – Wi-Fi 6 Dual Band Wireless
- 8 LAN Subnets with VLANs (Port-based / 802.1q)
- SPI Firewall and Content Filtering
- Optional VigorCare Available
- Compatible with VigorACS central management platform
DrayTek VAP960C-K VigorAP 960C Wi-Fi 6 Mesh 11ax Ceiling AP
with PoE
VigorAP 960C is an 11ax ceiling-mount wireless access point. With wire-liked link rate up to 1.2 Gbps in 5GHz band and up to 600Mbps in 2.4GHz, it’s suitable for high density environments. It can be cloud-managed by VigorACS, and also act as the mesh Root AP to manage up to 7 mesh node APs in LAN.
Features:
- Easily link to other VigorAP to expand the wireless network
- Solve the sticky client problem and improve Wi-Fi roaming experience
- Simplify the infrastructure by getting data and power through a single cable
- Schedule Wi-Fi On and Off to control wireless access and save energy.
- Mapping Wi-Fi clients to different VLANs and have a different set of security standards
- User profile database for local and external 802.1x authentication
- Equalize the transmission time of each client so the legacy devices won’t slow everyone down
- Market your business and communicate with the guests while offering hospitality WLAN
- Redirect 5GHz-capable devices to the 5GHz radio to get a faster speed
- Manage, maintain, and monitor VigorAP 960C from the DrayTek routers
Buy DrayTek VAP960C-K Access Point
DrayTek AP1060C Vigor WiFi 6 Mesh Wireless Access Point
Ceiling or Wall Mounted AX 3600 Mesh Wireless PoE Access Point
VigorAP 1060C is a high-performance ceiling mounted Mesh Wireless solution, offering up to 3.6Gbps Dual-Band wireless performance, and up to 2.5Gb Ethernet connectivity. Its third dedicated radio helps with auto channel selection, and Wireless Intrusion Detection Systems (WIDS).
The DrayTek VigorAP 1060C is a Wi-Fi 6 AX3600 access point with 2.5Gbps Ethernet capability. The latest wireless standard dramatically improves performance, handling efficiently multiple users and devices. The technology is partially based on LTE features used on mobile networks where many connections are managed by a single AP (mast).
Features:
- Link up to 8 DrayTek VigorAP access points over wireless with Mesh. Mesh auto configures wireless links
- Power the VigorAP 1060C through its 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet cable with standard IEEE 802.3af PoE
- Quickly and easily configure VigorAPs to fit your requirements with the DrayTek Wireless app
- A dedicated third radio for monitoring channels for airtime availability and wireless security with WIDS
- AX3600 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Access Point. Speedy experience with greater capacity
- Flexible mounting options allow the VigorAP 1060C to be fitted to walls or ceilings easily
- Secure your wireless networks with 802.1x and Access Control
- DrayTek’s Mesh solution provides separate wireless networks over Mesh with VLAN support
- Extend wireless signal from an existing network or use the VigorAP 1060C as a stand-alone AP
- DrayTek VigorAPs ensure that clients are always connected to their closest access point
- Manage VigorAPs from the cloud with DrayTek VigorACS, or manage all APs on site in one place
- Visualise client data usage and control client access through the VigorAP’s advanced web interface
Buy DrayTek AP1060C Access Point
With these tools at your disposal, your network – with the power of WiFi 6 – will soar higher than ever before. Allowing you to continue to grow your business with confidence.
More from DrayTek at Comms Express: DrayTek Routers & Modems | DrayTek Access Points | DrayTek Switches | DrayTek VOIP | DrayTek Licenses & Warranty Subscription Packs | DrayTek MRB Accessories
If you require any further information on these or any other DrayTek products that we stock, please do not hesitate to contact our team who will be only too happy to help.
Until next time…
