The announcement comes at a time when IoT and mobile device proliferation is accelerating Wi-Fi demand, with 3 billion devices shipping in 2018 and more than 9 billion devices in use, according to figures from the Wi-Fi Alliance.
The ExtremeMobility 500 series 802.11ax access points, part of Extreme’s Smart OmniEdge solution, have been designed to provide connectivity in dense and challenging environments. They are able to deliver 4x greater capacity, so organisations can scale their networks for growth and have the bandwidth to support more devices and immersive applications.
Extreme’s stadium Wi-Fi access points are purpose-built to work with the unique physical characteristics of large public venues. The series includes options for under-seat and overhead mounting, as well as remote antennae programmability, giving IT teams the ability to fine-tune coverage as needed.
Key features include:
- Extreme is the first to leverage machine learning to monitor and learn the behaviour of 802.11ax RF networks. ExtremeAI for Smart OmniEdge, customers can apply artificial intelligence to auto-tune the network for optimum performance and experience, lessening the workload for network engineers and providing a path for autonomous networking at the edge.
- Customers will be able to select from three modes of software-programmable radios to optimise for 5 GHz coverage and more efficiently support all types of devices with better performance, without requiring cable retrofits. An integrated Bluetooth radio enhances guest engagement analytics, granular locationing, and IoT connectivity.
- Built-in WPA3, the latest Wi-Fi security standard, boosts cryptographic strength for 802.11ax networks transmitting sensitive data, providing end users with the peace of mind that their wireless communications are secure.
- Combined with a new ExtremeSwitching X465 premium, stackable multi-rate Gigabit Ethernet switch with MACsec and 60/90W PoE, 802.11ax customers can use Extreme Fabric Connect capabilities to extend network security and management across a unified wired and wireless network. The X465 is available in six different models for connecting a range of edge access devices.
Optional integration with ExtremeAnalytics, ExtremeLocation and ExtremeGuest applications will help customers to better manage connections and drill deep into application usage trends to gather critical information needed by the business to engage users, control applications and protect the network..
Commenting Mike Leibovitz, the company's senior director of product management and strategy, said: “Our customers are testing the limits of today’s Wi-Fi standards daily. And if there is a failure – if they get it wrong – it won’t just be providing a poor experience, they’ll lose customers. We are the first to offer 802.11ax access points that are purpose-built for stadium environments, and we’ve applied those learnings across our 802.11ax family to empower businesses of all kinds to get ahead of the Wi-Fi curve and support more users, and more devices, more efficiently.”
