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Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) is the next generation of wireless network, it can provide higher speed, lower latency and higher system capacity. Ruijie, Cisco, and Huawei etc has launched the latest Wi-Fi 7 APs, when enterprises and tech enthusiasts want to update their network. In this article we'll compare their leading models to help you decide.
What is Wi-Fi 7?
Here are some of the major changes coming in Wi-Fi 7 -- also known as IEEE 802.11be -- the new wireless standard that follows Wi-Fi 6 and 6E.
Faster Speed: Uses 4096-QAM to enable a 25% increase in data rates.
Broader Channel: With channel width up to 320MHZ, twice of Wi-Fi 6.
Multi-Link Operation (MLO): Enables devices to transmit and receive concurrently on multiple bands, lowering latency and increasing connection quality.
Increased Performance: Preamble puncturing and Multi-RU maximize spectrum efficiency.
Advantages of Wi-Fi 7 APs Over Wi-Fi 6 APs
| Feature | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Benefit |
| Modulation | 1024-QAM | 4096-QAM | 20% increase in data rates |
| Channel Width | Up to 160 MHz | Up to 320 MHz | Double the bandwidth |
| Multi-Link Operation | Not supported | Supported | Lower latency, improved reliability |
| Frequency Bands | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz (6E) | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz | Enhanced spectrum flexibility |
| Latency | ~10 ms | <5 ms | Smoother real-time applications |
Best Wi-Fi 7 Access Points
If you want to take full advantage of the new standard you will need to upgrade to new Wi-Fi 7 equipment to get the maximum speed andbenefits Top Wi-Fi 7 Access Points by Brand
Cisco: Catalyst 9176I
Tri-Band: Works on 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz bands.
Advanced Radios: Dedicated scanning, IoT, GNSS and UWB radios offer 2G to 8.5GHz frequency coverage.
High Capacity: Concurrent support for up to 16 spatial streams.
Versatile Management: Supports Cisco Catalyst Center and the Meraki cloud-based console.
Security: Supports WPA3 encryption and takes advantage of its advanced security features to ensure your home network is safe from the latest threats.
Blazing Fast: Provides maximum data rate of 24.436 Gbps with 18 spatial streams.
AI Radio: Equipped with the AI radio, real time scanning and 0 complaint roaming is performed.
Flexible Uplinks: 10 Gigabit uplink with 10GE SFP+ slots OR 1G/10G copper combo.
Digital Twin O&M: Improves operation and maintenance efficiency of the network by 30%.
Huawei: AirEngine 6776-57T
Triple-Radio Design: Three radio design optimizes 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz operation.
Smart Antennas: Integrated antennas automatically switch to the best configuration for the coverage area.
Mass Fit: Up to 1800 users allow excellent capacity.
Peak Data Rate: Up to 13.66Gbps with 8 spatial streams
Detailed Comparison
| Feature | Cisco Catalyst 9176I | Ruijie RG-AP9861-R | Huawei AirEngine 6776-57T |
| Max Data Rate | Not specified | 24.436 Gbps | 13.66 Gbps |
| Spatial Streams | 16 | 18 | 8 |
| Frequency Bands | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz |
| Special Features | IoT, GNSS, UWB radios | AI Radio, Digital Twin O&M | Smart Antennas, High User Capacity |
| Management Platforms | Catalyst Center, Meraki | Ruijie Cloud | Huawei eSight |
| Ideal Deployment | Enterprise environments | High-density indoor scenarios | Densely populated areas |
How to Pick and Where to Buy?
Key Considerations:
Deployment Environment: Determine capacity and coverage needs by examining the size and density of the area.
Integration Requirements: Interoperate with customers' networking and management ecosystems.
Budget: Marry performance capabilities to financial limitations.
Where to Buy:
Network-switch.com: An Authorized Distributor of Huawei, Cisco, Ruijie products including wlan products, wifi AP, data center products, validity, price etc, please contact us.
Official Brand Websites: Buy from Cisco, Ruijie, Huawei for latest models and support.
Reliable Sellers: An honest and trustworthy purchase that you can make from a reliable seller.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Wi-Fi 7 is backward compatible with older Wi-Fi standards?
A: Yes, Wi-Fi 7 devices are intended to be backward compatible with Wi-Fi 6, 5 and prior generations.
Q2: Will I need new devices to take advantage of Wi-Fi 7?
A: Both access point and client devices must support the standard in order to take maximum advantage of Wi-Fi 7 features.
Q3: What is the performance advantage of Multi-Link Operation (MLO)?
A: MLO provides data transmission capability in multiple bands at the same time, which can optimize latency and reliability.
Q4: Are there additional security features in Wi-Fi 7?
A: Wi-Fi 7 requires WPA3 encryption and comes with features such as Protected Management Frames (PMF) for an extra layer of security.
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