THE NEW REALITY IN WI-FI: DEALING WITH THE DEVICE INVASION Philip Scott Xirrus
Agenda Wireless at a Tipping Point Challenges Facing Wireless Deployments Today Wi-Fi Standards from the IEEE 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz Channels How to Analyze Your Wi-Fi Environment Designing to Scale Design Goals Best Practices Summary
The new reality Wireless First Wireless Only
The Wireless Tipping Point High Performance wireless networks are the new norm being driven by a device explosion, mobile applications, and access to the cloud 700,000 Android devices activated a day. Source: Google 2011 Explosion of smartphones and tablets 1,000,000 mobile apps has transformed software adoption. Source: Jefferies, 2011 Work force increasingly mobile and connected Rapid rise in rich media content and applications Mobile data traffic will increase 26X between 2010 and 2015. Source: Cisco VNI 2011 Emergence of cloud computing 1 billion Wi-Fi devices in 2010 to 3 billion in 2015. Source: Gartner 2011 4
Explosive Set of Market Drivers 1B 850K / day Mobile data traffic 92% CAGR, 2010 to 2015 500,000 apps Pricing & Tariffs Device Count Content Ecosytems Mobile Data
The ipad has changed everything Source: KPCB
Without Proper Planning, Enterprises Deploying ipads Will Need 300% More Wi-Fi Tim Zimmerman, October 2011
Source: KPCB Android at critical mass
New Challenges? Heterogeneous end points BYOT and unmanaged devices Device volumes and density Multiple devices per user Unpredictability of demand COMPLEXITY & UNPREDICTABILITY Network planning variables End User expectations Shrinking technology life cycles
Evolution of Standards 2.4GHz is reaching end of the line for performance Future is in 5GHz and other frequencies 802.11ad >5Gbps 60GHz 5GHz 802.11a 54Mbps 802.11n-Draft 300Mbps 802.11n 600Mbps 802.11ac 1Gbps 1999 2000 2003 2004 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2.4GHz 802.11b 11Mbps 802.11g 54Mbps 802.11n-Draft 150Mbps (non-bond) 802.11n 300Mbps (non-bond)
The Wireless services opportunity WLAN not designed for pervasive Wi-Fi Devices WLAN not designed for real time communications WLAN relies on 802.11g Guest network not designed for BYOD Enterprise does not have visibility into RF issues Lack of experienced wireless staff Lack of sophisticated wireless tools Lack of adequate WLAN governance Top Wireless Issues That May Derail Your Mobile Strategy. Paul DeBeasi, October 2011
The BYOD Invasion
Impact of Increasing Density What happens if you do nothing? As device density and traffic goes up, so will complaints Wireless networks that ran fine all of a sudden do not work As Density/Usage Increases Works? The Network Deteriorates Does Not Work
Gartner on ipad impact to enterprise By 2015, 80% of newly installed wireless networks will be obsolete because of a lack of proper planning. Top Wireless Issues That May Derail Your Mobile Strategy. Paul DeBeasi, October 2011
Wireless Performance Enhancements Performance is on par and exceeding wired 1,000 1Gbps+ 800???? 802.11 Data Rates (Mbps) 600 400 200 600 next year 450 today 802.11ad 802.11ac 300 today 11 54 54 802.11b 802.11g 802.11a 802.11n 802.11ac/ad
A look at Wi-Fi Basics Wi-Fi has been a misunderstood technology. It s helpful to review the basics to set the foundation to build a proper network for mobility.
How do you use Wi-Fi? How many people used wireless at least 4x this week? Who has Wi-Fi in their home? Who installed their own Access Point? Do you know what frequencies are available for Wi-Fi APs? Do you know what frequencies your home AP supports?
Wi-Fi Basics: Clients 2.4Ghz Only 5Ghz Capable
Available on line tools http://www.xirrus.com/library/wifitools.php
Design for Performance Wireless networks must be designed for tablets & smartphones Spotty/hot spot coverage insufficient Signal must be solid in all areas 67dBm minimum Live Site Surveys Full coverage for both Wi-Fi bands 2.4GHz as the Lowest Common Denominator 5GHz for most tablets & BEST performance
High Design for Density Auditorium Conf/Class Room Stadium/ Arena Device Density Med Dormitory Lodging Hospital Office - Closed Office Open Joint Use Retail Library Light Industrial Open Public Area Low Warehouse Dense Enclosed Enclosed Open Environment Type
Design for Security 36% of cellphone owners have had one stolen/lost* Only minority of organizations have a strong security strategy Requirements for a mobile device security strategy: User authentication Data encryption Configure/update profiles Monitor policy compliance Remote lock and wipe Mobile Device Management (MDM) *Source: TechJournal South, February 8, 2011 *Source: Gartner, April 2011
Design for Growth Enterprise Wi-Fi replacement cycles are 4-5 years (Dell Oro) In that time, the next Wi-Fi standards will emerge 802.11ac 5GHz 802.11ad 60GHz 802.11af 700MHz (white spaces) No 2.4GHz! A flexible solution is essential to not keep replacing equipment Keys to support future growth 5+ years operation Modular, upgradeable hardware Software upgradeable functionality
Station Isolation Station Isolation Wireless is a shared medium Separate slower devices from faster devices Dedicate specific radios to VIPs (e.g. Keynote speaker)
How do you scale traditional approach As density and usage increases the wireless network will deteriorate Deploy more APs and therefore More cables More switch ports Re-tune the RF
Design for Performance Wireless networks must be designed for tablets/smartphones Spotty/hot spot coverage insufficient Signal must be solid in all areas 67dBm minimum Live site surveys Full coverage for both Wi-Fi bands 2.4GHz as LCD 5GHz for most tablets & BEST performance
Deployment Scenarios High Device Density Med Low Dense Enclosed Enclosed Environment Type Open
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