Wi-Fi 6 Access points, I tried to verify the "difference" for business and the general public

　In recent years, Wi-Fi (wireless LAN) has been increasing in recent years, not only in corporate offices, but also in retail stores, warehouses, and factories.As a Wi-Fi device that supports everyday work, not only PCs but also smartphones, tablets, handy terminals, surveillance cameras, and other IoT devices have appeared.Furthermore, in sites such as restaurants, accommodation facilities, and public facilities, the number of cases in which guest Wi-Fi (free Wi-Fi) has been provided as part of customer service.

　For the network of these sites, "Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802).11AX) Compatible access points are recommended.The latest standard Wi-Fi 6 incorporates a technology that makes it difficult to break even if multi-numbered devices are connected at the same time, and that can provide stable communication.Only in the workplace with many Wi-Fi devices to use should be alive.

　Then, if it is an access point that claims "Wi-Fi 6 compatible", which is the same?In particular, there is a large price difference between business products and general (consumers) products.If you have the same performance, you may want to choose cheap general products, but in reality most companies choose business products.Where is the "difference" just to match the price difference?

　In this article, in order to solve such questions, I would like to compare the differences between business and Wi-Fi 6 access points for the general public, with the results of the actual machine test.With the cooperation of the Daiwabou Information System (DIS), we have prepared the Cisco Meraki MS Series as a LAN switch as a representative player of Wi-Fi 6 access points for business.

Network and worries of small and medium -sized enterprises are "stability"

　This year (2021), Cisco Systems conducted a questionnaire survey on internal network equipment for domestic small and medium -sized enterprises with more than 300 employees.As I introduced in the previous article, I would like to check the points again here.

　According to the survey, small and medium -sized enterprises focused on the introduction of current network devices was "price", "function", and "stability."On the other hand, there are many things that are in trouble with the current network, "security measures" and "network stability".

Questions "Please let us know the deciding factor of introducing network equipment (router, switch, Wi-Fi access point, etc.) currently introduced (multiple answers, up to 3)."

Questions "Please tell us if you have any problems in your current network environment (multiple answers, as many as you want)."

　Here, I would like to focus on both answers that "stability" is listed.In other words, there are many cases where not only prices but also stability are emphasized, but in fact, dissatisfaction with stability has not actually been resolved.

　Unlike prices and functions that can be checked before purchasing the product, it is difficult to predict the factor of stability in advance.It tends to happen that it did not operate stably after introducing it.Nevertheless, the scenes of using networks in business are increasing rapidly, and stable operation of the network is an indispensable requirement.The results of this survey show a gap between expectations and reality of "stability" for business networks.

　Another background of the stability of network devices is also the size of the IT administrator's work load.Even IT administrators who are busy every day in other tasks must be recovered with the highest priority if a network that supports on -site operations occurs.If you don't know the cause of the obstacle and it takes time to take a trouble shot, the burden will be even greater.In order to reduce the concerns of IT administrators, network equipment is strongly required.

Verify business and general network devices with actual machines

　That said, as mentioned at the beginning, there are some price differences between business and general network devices.Even with the Wi-Fi 6 access point, which is the theme this time, the situation remains the same.Where is the "difference" that just matches the price difference?

　In order to solve that question, we decided to try a comparison test using the actual access point for business / general.

　First, the Wi-Fi 6 access point for business was "Cisco Meraki MR36" and "Cisco Meraki MS120" as a LAN switch.The MR36 is an entry model of the MERAKI MR series Wi-Fi 6 compatible access points 5 models (MR56/46E/46/44/36).2x2 MU-MIMO can communicate with 2 streams (ul/dl), and the total bandwidth (theoretical value) of Wi-Fi is 1.It is 7Gbps.The MERAKI MS120 is a one -Gigabit switch that allows PoE / PoE+power supply, which is often used as a set with access points in the MR series.Along with the MR series, it can be set and managed with the web GUI of the MERAKI cloud.

Wi-Fi 6 compatible access point "Cisco Meraki MR 36"

　As a comparison target, a Wi-Fi 6 access point (Wi-Fi router) product for the general public is also available.The same 2x2 MU-MIMO, 2 stream, bandwidth width 1 so that there is no difference in the basic specifications.I am choosing a 7Gbps product.Although the manufacturer's name and model name are hidden, the EC site is a product that is high in sales, and seems to be widely used not only in ordinary households but also in small offices and stores.The number of recommended simultaneous connection devices was described as "14 units".The switch also uses an inexpensive one gigaswitch for the general public.

　This time, we connected a large number of Wi-Fi 6-compatible PCs to each and tried whether access points would operate stably by the "throughput test".Please note that it is a simple test, and that the test environment is affected by the surrounding radio environment in one office building.

　The throughput test is a test that measures the speed of downloading a 1GB file from the NAS (1Gbps wired connection) installed in the LAN to the Wi-Fi connected PC.We measured the case of downloading with one PC and downloaded simultaneously with 8 PCs, and asked for the average value per unit for downloading.

Overview of "throughput test"

● 1GB download execution with one PC / access point for the general public: maximum throughput 238Mbps, average 38.9 seconds for business MERAKI MR: Maximum throughput 809Mbps, average 11.6 seconds

● Simultaneous execution / access point for the general public with 8 PCs: Maximum throughput 38.4Mbps, average 183.9 seconds for business MERAKI MR: Maximum throughput 205Mbps, average 82.7 seconds

　In the test results, there was a greater difference than expected in advance.One of the causes of these differences is that the MERAKI MR series is equipped with a processor with business processing capabilities.The MERAKI MR series, including the MR36, has been used in many, for example, in a school -to -school terminal environment (GIGA School), for example, for a total of 40 terminals to play Internet videos at the same time.

　In this test, none of the access points did not lose stability, and did not go down or become unstable during processing.Nevertheless, it was the Meraki MR36 that the capacity could afford.If the number of devices to be connected increases, this difference must be more clear.

A big difference in "management" that streamlines operating monitoring and trouble shooting

　In order to realize a business network stable operation, it is an important factor in knowing whether the network is operating normally, and if any obstacle occurs, it is possible to deal with it immediately and recover.be.As an IT person in charge, it would be desirable to be able to manage the entire network infrastructure, including products that can be troubled as efficiently as possible, and the entire network infrastructure, including LAN switches.

　For business network products, there may be an image of "difficult setting and operation management".However, in the case of the MERAKI series, which has a Japanese -style web GUI cloud -type management tool, it is possible to easily set up and manage it with basic knowledge about IT.There is no need to learn the command line operation, and there is no need to build a management dedicated server.I am glad that LAN switches can be monitored and managed together.

MERAKI's web management console.It will organize and visualize a wide range of information in an easy -to -understand manner

　The MERAKI series access points (MR series) and switches (MS series) are always communicating with the MERAKI cloud via the Internet.The detailed operation status of the network is sent to the cloud, accumulated, visualized by a time -series graph, acquiring the configuration information entered in the management console on the cloud side, and automatically changes the settings.As a result, the device of the MERAKI series, which has been attached to the same management account, can be monitored and managed from remote.

　In the case of access points for the general public, most products are used to log in one by one from the local (inside the LAN).In addition, the Wi-Fi usage status has only enough functions to confirm the number of connection devices in real time.For example, it is difficult to judge whether the commercial Wi-Fi or guest Wi-Fi is used for what purpose, and whether the current capacity is sufficient from the peak traffic amount.In terms of management, there is a clear difference from the MERAKI series for business.

A mechanism to set up MERAKI products at each base via the cloud and collect and analyze operating information at the same time

　The management function provided by the MERAKI series has various benefits to IT administrators.For example, it is a "zero touch configuration" when setting access points.If the MERAKI MR access point and his MERAKI MS switch are put on the MERAKI account in advance, only the Internet is connected at the installation base, and the setting information is obtained from the cloud and the initial setting is completed automatically, and Wi-Fi is completed.Network operation starts.In other words, IT administrators do not need to go to the site.Of course, maintenance work such as setting changes after operation monitoring, operating monitoring, and firmware updates can also be performed remotely.

　"MERAKI HEALTH" is also provided as a function to simplify network troubleshooting.It is a function that can be used to display the "health status" of the network graphically, and if a connection trouble occurs, a detailed survey can be made in units of access points, SSID, and Wi-Fi devices.

　For example, in this test environment, a "client connection status" for a specific iPad was displayed, and the following screen was displayed.It is an analysis that the usage rate of the same channel (the number of devices connections) is slightly higher and needs to be careful, but the connection has been 100 % successful.If you get specific information in this way, troubleshooting should be efficiently proceeded.

The connection status of a certain client (iPad) is displayed.Information is displayed up to the connection destination access point and the upper switch, and the problems with problems can be seen at a glance.

　If there are many problems, SSID, or clients, alerts are displayed in an easy -to -understand manner on the dashboard.Of course, these alerts can be notified by email or mobile apps, so IT administrators don't always have to watch the dashboard.

　There is also a function that analyzes and displays the access to where the access is occurring when a claim from the user not access to the Internet.There is a problem with the access point, whether it is a part of the certification, whether the client's DHCP and DNS settings are incorrect, and the cause is easy to separate from the entire network perspective, including LAN switches.can.

　Data such as the number of connection devices, traffic, and communication quality can be displayed as chronological graphs.At a glance, you can see at a glance what time you use it and the communication quality is maintained even at the peak of use, so it will be used in future network expansion plans.

MERAKI's management console can visualize the operating status of the network from a rich perspective

Convenient usage scenes such as multi -base deployment and lump -sum management of networks

　The management of the MERAKI series, which has been introduced so far, should be conveniently used in various business sites.

　For example, a company that operates in offices and stores is a headquarters IT administrator at the headquarters, allows you to collectively manage all base networks via MERAKI cloud.Since it is introduced with a zero -touch configuration and the operation status can be grasped from the remote after the operation starts, the IT administrator can completely eliminate the need to be able to do it.In recent years, IT administrators have been required to work remote work / work from home, but it should also be useful for such "work style reforms".

　Even if a network occurs at a remote base, it is possible to use MERAKI HEALTH first to investigate a detailed cause from remote.If the cause is found, the settings and restarts can be remotely reduced, so the time to recover the network will be greatly reduced.Employees who use the network in business will be pleased.

　MERAKI also has an application traffic identification / analysis function.With office networks, you can investigate what applications consume more traffic, and prioritize specific applications such as web conferences (QOS).In addition, the guest Wi-Fi, which is used by the unspecified majority, can be used to restrict high-security application communication.

* * *

　This time, we have seen the characteristics of MERAKI MR access points (and MERAKI series products) for business, compared to general network products.In order to realize the “stable and stable network” required in any business site, the “robustness” of the device, the “stability” of the performance, and the abundant “functionality” are required.Please pay attention to the Cisco Meraki series products that are well -balanced.

　MERAKI has a wealth of operation management functions in addition to those introduced in this article.Cisco Systems currently offers a “30 -day free trial” of the MERAKI series products, so I would like you to take advantage of this opportunity to experience the stability and convenience of the MERAKI series.In addition, there is a campaign to get one access point and one LAN switch by watching MERAKI's Webinar.Please check the link below for details.

(Provided by Cisco Systems, Verification Cooperation: Daiwabou Information System)