Networking

Review: Extreme Networks AP4000 Brings Wi-Fi 6E Connectivity to Higher Ed

This Wi-Fi 6E access point offers secure access in high-density environments.

Carlos Soto is an award-winning reviewer and journalist with 20 years of experience covering technology and business within various sectors and industries.

As higher education institutions continue to modernize their network infrastructure to support increased bandwidth requirements, newer versions of Wi-Fi 6E are essential to maintain quality connections.

Wi-Fi 6E-compatible devices and applications benefit from a faster, dedicated connection that leads to better speeds and lower latency. In colleges where larger files such as videos and dynamic and digital lesson plans need to be shared quickly, this dedicated pipeline can make the difference between successful and unsuccessful learning environments and experiences.

I recently reviewed the Extreme Networks AP4000 Wi-Fi 6E access point and found it to perform well in high-density environments, such as universities, by supporting the added demands of extra users, devices and applications.

Click the banner to learn how to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E and future-proof higher ed networks.

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Extreme Networks AP4000 Provides Next-Level Speed and Security

At the college and university level, security and protection from phishing and ransomware attacks are essential. The Extreme Networks AP4000 is packed with security features such as Wi-Fi Protected Access 3, a 256-bit Galois/Counter Mode Protocol, 384-bit hash-based message authentication code and 256-bit Broadcast/Multicast Integrity Protocol.

Additionally, the access point supports a stateful L2-L7 DPI firewall for context-based access security, a tri-frequency security and location analytics sensor, and a private pre-shared key.

Unlike most access points that scan only part-time, the dedicated tri-frequency sensor empowers IT security to monitor wireless connections for rogue devices and mitigate the risks of attacks. The continuous scanning feature allows the AP4000 unit to also run multiple ExtremeCloud IQ operating systems for on-premises or cloud deployments to deliver better value and range in larger areas.

ExtremeCloud IQ also geolocates the access point and accurately provides the channel and power specifications under which the product can operate in that country.

Extreme Networks AP4000 Wi-Fi 6E access point

With three 2x2:2 radios, the AP4000 Wi-Fi 6E access point provides high-efficiency, high-performance 802.11ax aggregate data rates that get you up to 3.9 gigabits per second in the 6-gigahertz, 5GHz, and 2.4GHz bands. We tested this feature by moving large clusters of data at different times of the day, and at short, medium and long distances while streaming on 30 other devices. In every iteration, the 3.9Gbps rate was recorded when we checked the download speeds and upload speeds.

With a sleek and small chassis measuring 1.5 by 8.1 by 8.1 inches, the AP400 delivers powerful capabilities, which makes it versatile for placement in difficult-to-reach areas. A lot of this power comes from the AP4000 combination of 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E technology, advanced security, and machine learning and artificial intelligence management capabilities.

The AP4000 is the first enterprise Wi-Fi 6E access point that features a fully functional multiband filter. This makes the unit capable of simultaneous operations with no performance degradation between all of the 5GHz frequencies and the entire range of 6GHz frequencies. The result is smooth, secure and steady data transfer rates.

Despite the ages of many university buildings, adding wireless infrastructure with units such as the AP4000 can allow these institutions to make strides in elevating their data sharing capabilities.

SPECIFICATIONS

NETWORK: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E), Bluetooth 5.2 LE
CONNECTIVITY: 3.9 GBps
ENCRYPTION: WPA3
PRODUCT INFORMATION: 16 SSIDs per radio
TOTAL USERS: 1,536
DIMENSIONS: 1.5x8.1x8.1 inches
WEIGHT: 29.98 ounces

Top 3 Features of Effective Wi-Fi

For colleges, bandwidth is everything. Yet not all access points are created the same. The elements of effective Wi-Fi can be broken down into three categories.

1. Management and Analytics

Access points, like everything else on a network, are growing in complexity. This is one of the main reasons that it is essential to have a simple setup with easy management and reporting.

The Extreme centralized management software for the AP4000, for example, helps IT staff save time by simplifying the cloud or on-premises management of units. The units also come with a rich set of data displayed via “context-driven widgets,” representing unlimited historical data or a combination of historical and current data.

This provides context-specific granularity with perspective views for locations, network, APs, individual client devices and policy roles. In each context, administrators simply adjust dashboards using a widget library.

2. Robust, Integrated Bluetooth with Low Energy Requirements

It’s important for APs to support both Internet of Things and guest engagement services. The AP4000 integrates Bluetooth to connect with IoT devices to engage loyalty customers with Apple iBeacon. Enterprises can also use applications driven by application programming interfaces to send advertisements directly to students, guests or visiting faculty, and conference attendees.

This makes it ideal for universities that host events, allowing them to use the app to download pages or to provide site-specific information.

LEARN MORE: Wi-Fi 6E upgrades require compatible cabling.

3. Headache-Free Performance

The AP4000 supports two software-programmable modes to optimally manage radios to provide the highest level of performance. The AP4000 is a tri-radio access point and can transmit with three data radios or with two data radios and a dedicated tri-frequency sensor.

The AP4000 intelligently monitors the software-configurable radios, enabling network managers to configure network radio-frequency technology based on the user environment and configure the access points in different modes as required.

The Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and enhanced capacity technology accesses to up to 1,200 megahertz of spectrum, which is three times that of the existing spectrum, and enables better quality of service in dense environments.

The additional 6-gigahertz spectrum offered by Wi-Fi 6E on the AP4000 also operates across three times as much spectrum as previous generations of Wi-Fi to deliver enhanced speeds and less interference.