Introduction to WiFi Standards in Schools
In today’s educational landscape, robust and reliable internet connectivity is crucial. Schools have transitioned through various WiFi standards, from WiFi 5 to WiFi 6, and now to WiFi 6E, which utilizes the new 6 GHz spectrum. As we step into mid-2024, the next generation—WiFi 7 (802.11be)—is on the horizon, with the final revision expected by the end of this year. This new standard promises significant improvements in speed, efficiency, and capacity, which can profoundly impact school networks. This blog provides an overview of WiFi 7’s new features and their potential impact on the classroom environment.
Wider Channel Width
WiFi 7 increases the maximum channel width from 160 MHz to 320 MHz.
Potential impact: Typically, a standard channel is 20 MHz wide. By bonding multiple channels, throughput improves significantly but reduces the number of non-overlapping channels available. Schools often face limitations in channel width usage due to high endpoint density—each classroom needs an access point (AP), which requires more usable channels to avoid interference. WiFi 6E was transformative by offering 59 non-overlapping 20 MHz channels in the 6 GHz spectrum. WiFi 7 introduces 320 MHz channels, providing only three non-overlapping channels, which may not be practical for schools. Therefore, sticking to 80 or 160 MHz channels will likely be more beneficial.
4KQAM
WiFi 7 enhances Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) to 4096, compared to 256 in WiFi 5 and 1024 in WiFi 6/6E.
Potential impact: This advancement can increase data rates by up to 20% over WiFi 6. However, achieving this requires a strong signal-to-noise ratio, making it most effective for clients near the AP. In a classroom, some devices may experience improved speeds if they utilize WiFi 7 hardware, but the gains might be minimal.
Multi-Link Operation (MLO)
MLO allows APs and clients to use multiple links simultaneously (e.g., 2.4 GHz and 6 GHz).
Potential impact: MLO can:
•Aggregation: Double data throughput by transmitting/receiving on multiple bands.
•Steering: Reduce latency by directing traffic to less congested bands.
•Redundancy: Ensure mission-critical traffic is not dropped.
In classrooms, while mission-critical traffic might not be a primary concern, MLO could enhance data throughput and reduce latency by utilizing multiple bands dynamically, depending on the AP and client hardware capabilities.
Preamble Puncturing
This feature allows the exclusion of interference-affected sub-channels within bonded channels.
Potential impact: It makes large channel widths more usable in dense environments, increasing spectral efficiency by mitigating the impact of interference on part of a channel rather than the whole.
Multiple Resource Units (MRU)
Building on WiFi 6’s concept of dividing wireless spectrum into resource units (RUs), WiFi 7 allows APs to allocate different RU sizes to clients based on their needs.
Potential impact: MRUs will improve spectral efficiency and reduce latency for applications like VoIP, video streaming, and VDI. In classrooms, MRUs will significantly enhance application response times and latency compared to legacy protocols.
512 Compressed Block ACK
Increases the capacity for clients to acknowledge receipt of data frames from 256 (WiFi 6) to 512.
Potential impact: This feature improves spectral efficiency by reducing wasted airtime for acknowledgements, decreasing protocol overhead found in previous WiFi versions.
AP Beacon Protection
WiFi 7 introduces integrity checks for beacons, which help clients locate SSIDs and supported features.
Potential impact: This protection reduces the risk of beacon forging, where attackers might imitate legitimate APs or launch DoS attacks. Ensuring the integrity of beacons will enhance network security in schools.
Conclusion
WiFi 7 brings several enhancements that can significantly benefit school networks. Wider channels, advanced QAM, MLO, and MRUs promise better data rates, reduced latency, and improved spectral efficiency. Although some features like 320 MHz channels may not be practical in dense environments like schools, others will drive forward the capabilities of educational technology, ensuring robust and efficient network performance.
Download the Network Health Checklist for K-12 Schools to get started on your network upgrade journey.