Cisco Wireless: Wi-Fi 7 The Next Generation of Wireless Networks

So are we prepared for the next revolution in wireless? Introduction the improvements from Wi-Fi 7 are significant, and Cisco combines newly merged Meraki and Catalyst products under one roof — the Cisco Wireless brand — to embark on a new era in wireless communication. Not just a technical milestone, but also new user experience with seamless licensing and artificial intelligence-driven management and performance improvements.

So, what are these innovations and how might you have to change your network infrastructure? Cisco Wireless has succeeded due to the backbone technologies that keep it running, such as Multi-Link Operation (MLO) and Quality of Service (QoS). This article combines all relevant information on the Cisco Wireless combination, the technical specifications of Wi-Fi 7, its similarities with SDN (Software-Defined Networking), and how these technologies will benefit your networks.

Cisco Wireless: Powerful Solutions Under One Roof

Cisco has combined Meraki and Catalyst products to create the Cisco Wireless brand, which supports both cloud-based and local management. The key objectives of this merger are:

Licensing Simplicity: Eliminate complex processes with a single license structure.
Performance and Flexibility: Higher speeds and lower latency with new Wi-Fi 7 access points (CW9178 and CW9176).
Global Compatibility: The same hardware can be used worldwide thanks to software-based regional adjustments.

Wi-Fi 7: The Foundation of Next-Generation Wireless Technology

Cisco Wireless’s new Wi-Fi 7 access points, the CW9178 and CW9176, take the user experience to the next level. Wi-Fi 7 technologies include:

Faster Speeds: Gigabit-level speeds with wider channel widths (160 MHz and 320 MHz). Reduced Latency: Increased bandwidth and channel efficiency.
Multi-Link Operation (MLO): Accelerates data transfers by using multiple connections simultaneously.
AI-Powered Optimization: Analyzes and optimizes network performance in real time.

Figure 1: CW9178 Ultra High-Performance Wi-Fi 7 Wireless

Cisco Wireless and SDN (Software-Defined Networking) Relationship

Cisco Wireless brings the basic principles of SDN to wireless networks. Connections between SDN and Cisco Wireless:

Software-Based Structure: Cisco Wireless optimizes frequency bands and network settings through software. Like SDN, it provides flexibility by separating the network control plane from the data plane.
Centralized Management: Monitoring and controlling networks from a single center with cloud and local management tools.
Dynamic Adjustment: Dynamically adjusts bandwidth and connection routes according to network density and interference levels.

Multi-Link Operation (MLO): The New Name for Performance

MLO is one of the most innovative features offered by Wi-Fi 7. This technology allows a device to use multiple ports (for example, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands) simultaneously.

Technical Operation of MLO

Parallel Data Flow: Data packets are transmitted over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.

Example: 4K video is carried on the 6 GHz band; background processes are carried on the 5 GHz band.

Dynamic Routing: AI-powered algorithms analyze which band is more suitable and direct traffic to that band.
Link Re-Optimization: If one link is congested, packets are moved to the other link.

Advantages

Uninterrupted Experience: Users do not notice the connection switching.
High Performance: Faster communication thanks to parallel data flow.
Energy Efficiency: Energy is saved by closing unused connections.

Quality of Service (QoS): Control Mechanism over the Network Traffic

QoS categorizes network traffic, ensuring that critical applications always have access to the resources they need.

Technical Details of QoS

Traffic Classification: Data packets are divided into categories such as voice (VoIP), video (conference), and background (file download).
Bandwidth Allocation: More resources are allocated to priority applications.
Dynamic Optimization: Resource allocation is adjusted in real time depending on density changes.

Advantages

Low Latency: Optimized resource allocation for video and voice traffic.
Efficient Usage: Each device uses only the resources it needs.
Uninterrupted Experience: Even in busy networks, user experience is not negatively affected.

MLO and QoS Integration: A Powerful Combination

Cisco Wireless's MLO and QoS features maximize the efficiency of wireless networks.

For example:

MLO directs video conferencing traffic to a low-latency band,
QoS ensures that video conferencing is prioritized over other traffic on the network.

The result: A faster, more efficient, and uninterrupted user experience.

A New Beginning with Cisco Wireless

With the innovations offered by Wi-Fi 7, Cisco Wireless meets not only today's needs but also the needs of the future. Features such as AI-powered optimization, simplified licensing, and global compatibility make this technology indispensable for your business.