What IT leaders should know before buying new WLAN hardware.

By Jed Rabe, CWNE#280, ACDX#925, ACMPv8, Structured Director of Wireless Networking —

Every company, across every industry, must maintain infrastructure to stay operational. This infrastructure may include the building where the business operates, the machines that produce its products, and the IT infrastructure that connects the business to the wider world.

Managing the lifecycle of these assets can be a daunting task for everyone from small business owners to the C-suite of large organizations. As a wireless network engineer, I have helped many organizations manage the lifecycle of their wireless network investments. My goal is to make these infrastructure refreshes as frictionless as possible.

This article explores several important aspects of wireless network refresh planning and provides perspective on the requirements organizations should review before purchasing new equipment.

Before we get started, I would encourage every IT leader to consult with a wireless network engineering professional as an early step in the refresh planning process. IT professionals tend to wear many hats, and it is easy to become a “jack of all trades” and a “master of none.” This is especially true in smaller organizations, where the IT administrator may be responsible for servers, storage arrays, firewalls, routing and switching, Microsoft Active Directory, and wireless networks.

I have heard it said that the IT administrator is responsible for anything connected to the network. These IT administrators are often brilliant engineers, but all too often, they lack the specialized knowledge or experience required to design and deploy a wireless network that meets the modern needs of a wireless-first environment.

Today, most client devices connect to the wireless network. Many no longer include a wired network port. The industry has also seen an incredible increase in wireless devices as IoT has become mainstream. We are no longer just connecting laptops to Wi-Fi. We are connecting phones, tablets, watches, printers, speakers, lighting systems, 3D printers, washers, dryers, AC units, and many other devices.

As a result, we can no longer design wireless networks simply to provide basic coverage. We must design for capacity and ensure the network can support the growing number of devices that rely on wireless connectivity.

Many organizations are reducing the number of wired switch ports in favor of a wireless-first connectivity strategy. While this may simplify the wired edge, it increases the importance and complexity of the wireless network.

This is why consulting a wireless networking expert is highly recommended. Wireless professionals can help design and deploy a wireless network that meets the requirements of the business while ensuring an optimal user experience. The following sections outline six key aspects of the wireless network refresh planning process.

Requirements Gathering

There are several factors to consider before purchasing wireless network infrastructure, starting with requirements gathering. Before designing a wireless network, it is important to understand the primary use case for the environment.

Every organization uses the network differently, although there are similarities across industries. Organizations are often grouped into verticals such as healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, education, hospitality, and retail because each vertical tends to have common wireless use cases. These may include basic web browsing, high-throughput file sharing, latency-sensitive voice and video conferencing, medical devices, point-of-sale systems, guest access, or dense classroom and conference environments.

A well-defined business use case helps guide the design process. Below are a few things to consider during the requirements gathering stage:

• Define the business goals.
• Identify the least capable but most important device.
• Identify expected user density and how many devices each user is expected to carry.
• Identify the types of devices connecting to the network, such as phones, laptops, tablets, printers, cameras, and IoT devices.
• Identify the supported Wi-Fi technologies of the devices connecting to the network, such as Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, or Wi-Fi 7.
• Balance coverage-based and capacity-based design by identifying areas that require high-density design, such as auditoriums, classrooms, and crowded office spaces.
• Identify current pain points that need to be resolved.
• Identify security requirements that must be met.

Predictive Design

The next step in the refresh cycle is performing a wireless network predictive design. Some argue that this phase is not always necessary, and that may be true if the existing wireless network was already designed to meet today’s capacity requirements. However, many wireless networks I encounter were originally designed for best-effort coverage or have grown organically as users reported connectivity issues.

It is common for organizations to simply add APs when connectivity problems are reported. Adding APs is not always the answer and can sometimes cause more harm than good. Poorly planned AP additions can increase co-channel interference, create roaming issues, and reduce overall network performance.

That said, if the existing wireless network is still operating on Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 4, or older technology, additional APs may be required to ensure client devices can take advantage of the latest Wi-Fi capabilities. Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 have introduced significant improvements, including higher throughput, better efficiency, and access to the 6GHz band in supported deployments. Wi-Fi 8 is also on the horizon, which makes careful planning even more important.

To create a predictive design, the wireless network engineer will request floor plans of the facility. These should ideally be architectural drawings that are properly scaled, typically in PDF or CAD format. A fire escape plan can work in a pinch, but as the adage goes, “garbage in, garbage out.” Accurate floor plans are important because they directly impact the accuracy of the predictive design.

Because this article focuses on hardware refreshes, it is also important to include a map of where existing access points are installed. In many cases, existing cable drops can be reused in the new design, which may reduce the overall cost of installing new cabling.

Once the predictive design is complete, the wireless network engineer will provide a report identifying where the APs should be located to provide adequate coverage and capacity based on the requirements gathered during discovery. The report will often include the following:

• Primary coverage
• Secondary coverage
• Predicted interference from the planned infrastructure
• AP locations
• Bill of materials

Depending on the wireless network engineer and the design tool being used, additional information may also be included. Metrics such as SNR, data rate, and interference can be helpful, but they are often more useful when gathered from an actual WLAN site survey.

Cabling

Infrastructure cabling is a key component of data communications. Despite the word “wireless” in wireless networking, wireless networks still rely on cables to operate. The latest generation of wireless network infrastructure and physical security cameras has pushed the boundaries of data throughput and power requirements. Because of this, older generations of structured cabling may no longer be sufficient.

Before investing in new wireless network infrastructure, organizations should also evaluate their structured cabling. This includes cabling between access points and switches, as well as cabling between MDF and IDF closets.

CAT5 and CAT5e cabling may no longer be sufficient for modern wireless deployments, especially where multi-gigabit speeds or higher PoE requirements are needed. It is recommended that organizations upgrade cabling infrastructure to at least CAT6 or CAT6A where appropriate. CAT6 cabling can support speeds up to 10 Gbps for shorter distances, typically up to 164 feet. CAT6A is recommended when 10 Gbps support is needed for the full cable run, up to 328 feet.

Both CAT6 and CAT6A can support modern PoE requirements, including 802.3bt PoE++. It is also important to consider the wire gauge. Some thin patch cables can become warm when an end device draws a significant amount of PoE power. Thin-gauge cables should generally be avoided for access points, cameras, or other devices that require PoE++ to operate. Organizations should consult their low-voltage contractor when reviewing cabling requirements for a wireless network infrastructure refresh.

As mentioned earlier, cabling between MDF and IDF closets should also be evaluated. Modern applications continue to require greater bandwidth, and both wired and wireless networks are pushing toward faster speeds. At a minimum, switch uplinks should support 10 Gbps using multimode fiber or single-mode fiber, depending on the distance between closets.

Organizations should also consider redundancy and future requirements when planning cabling refreshes. Many organizations are choosing to install single-mode fiber to take advantage of future bandwidth capabilities. Single-mode fiber is often less expensive per foot than multimode fiber, but the optics required at the switch are typically more expensive.

Switching and Power over Ethernet

As organizations move toward a wireless-first approach and power requirements continue to grow, switching infrastructure must evolve as well. Switching infrastructure often has a long lifecycle and may only be replaced when it fails. Unfortunately, older switch models can become technical debt, putting organizations in the uncomfortable position of needing to upgrade wired infrastructure at the same time as wireless infrastructure.

This can significantly increase the cost of a wireless network refresh project.

Modern access points often require PoE++ power to operate at full capability. Many also include multi-gigabit or smart-rate Ethernet ports that must be supported by the switch ports they connect to take advantage of the higher bandwidth capabilities. This is especially important as more client devices connect to each AP and as 6GHz and Wi-Fi 7 capabilities increase overall network capacity.

Modern access-layer switches commonly support PoE++, multi-gigabit or smart-rate Ethernet, and at least 10 Gbps uplinks. These switches are not inexpensive, and customers may experience sticker shock when comparing the cost of new switches to equipment purchased 10 to 15 years ago.

When designing a new wireless network, organizations should be prepared to evaluate and potentially upgrade their switching infrastructure as well. It is also important to consider uptime, redundancy, and resiliency as part of the design.

Power over Ethernet, or PoE, has been mentioned several times throughout this article because it is a foundational building block of the wireless network. Without power, an access point cannot function.

The latest Wi-Fi 7 access points can be power-hungry, especially high-density models with multiple radios and additional hardware capabilities. Organizations should expect that many high-density access points will require PoE++ to operate at full capability. At a minimum, many modern APs require more than 30 watts of power.

Wi-Fi vendors typically offer flagship access point models for high-density deployments as well as more budget-friendly models for typical low-density office environments. Different AP models have different power requirements based on the number of radios, spatial streams, Ethernet ports, USB ports, and other hardware features they support.

If an AP receives less power than required, it may operate in a restricted state. This is an important concept to understand. AP manufacturers often design access points to continue functioning when full power is not available, but they may disable USB ports, secondary Ethernet ports, reduce radio chains, or limit other capabilities. Some APs may power on with standard PoE but only enough to report a low-power status or obtain initial configuration.

Organizations should review and understand the PoE requirements of the new wireless infrastructure while also considering all other PoE devices connected to the network, such as security cameras, phones, and IoT devices. During a wireless network infrastructure refresh, the current switching infrastructure should be evaluated to ensure it can provide enough PoE budget for all connected devices.

The 6GHz Band

Most IT leaders have heard about the 6GHz band by now. Many modern wireless client devices support 6GHz, and adoption continues to grow.

The 6GHz band has provided the wireless networking industry with a significant amount of new spectrum. In the United States, this includes 1,200 MHz of spectrum, which provides many additional 20 MHz channels compared to the 5GHz band. This cleaner spectrum allows for more channel reuse, wider channels where appropriate, higher throughput, and lower interference.

Every organization should evaluate whether the 6GHz band should be included in its wireless network design. The 6GHz band became available with Wi-Fi 6E access points and client devices, and it continues to be a key part of Wi-Fi 7 deployments, though there are Wi-Fi 7 APs and client devices that do not support the 6GHz band. However, many organizations have not yet adopted 6GHz due to hardware refresh cycles, client compatibility, security requirements, or regulatory considerations.

Below are some key considerations:

1. The 6GHz band requires modern security, such as WPA3 or Opportunistic Wireless Encryption for open networks. Many organizations have not fully adopted WPA3 and may need an adoption strategy to take advantage of 6GHz.
2. The 6GHz band has regulatory requirements that vary by region. This is especially important for organizations with offices around the world. Access Points must be configured to comply with the regulatory requirements of the region in which they operate.
3. 6GHz signals attenuate slightly faster than 5GHz signals because of the higher frequency. This can often be addressed through proper RF design, but additional APs may be required to provide full coverage in some environments.
4. There are restrictions on 6GHz operations due to overlap with protected incumbent services. Depending on the deployment, APs may operate in Low Power Indoor mode or Standard Power mode. Standard Power operation requires Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) to help protect incumbent services.
5. Because the 6GHz band includes many available channels, client discovery can be more complex. Organizations should design SSIDs and band support carefully to take advantage of mechanisms such as Reduced Neighbor Reports and other discovery methods.

Design and Deployment Validation

Once the predictive design has been completed, it is advisable to validate the design using an AP-on-a-stick survey method when the environment warrants it. This method allows a wireless network engineer to temporarily place and power an AP in the designed location using a tripod and battery power source. The engineer then surveys around the AP until reaching the designated RSSI that represents the edge of the cell. The engineer moves the AP to the next location and repeats the process until all AP locations have been validated.

This validation process is tedious and can add significant cost to the overall design. However, it provides real-world measurements that can identify coverage, attenuation, and interference concerns before equipment is purchased and cables are installed.

Performing this step can save your organization time and money by identifying whether APs need to be added, relocated, or removed altogether. In my experience, this step is often skipped because of accelerated project timelines, additional cost, or the belief that the environment is simple. In some cases, it may be reasonable to skip this step. However, for complex environments, validation should be included before purchasing equipment, running new low-voltage cabling, and installing access points.

The final step is to validate the deployed solution. Once the APs have been installed and configured, it is time to perform a post-installation site survey. This allows the wireless engineer to confirm that the newly deployed wireless network meets the design requirements outlined during discovery.

A post-installation survey also gives the wireless engineer the opportunity to fine-tune radio profiles and channel plans as needed. Finally, this process provides the organization with valuable as-built documentation that shows how the RF environment performs after deployment.

Wireless Network Refresh Planning Checklist

The checklist below provides a high-level view of the major areas IT leaders should evaluate before purchasing new WLAN hardware.

Final Thoughts on Wireless Network Refresh Planning

A wireless network refresh is more than a simple access point replacement. Modern WLAN projects require thoughtful planning across business requirements, RF design, cabling, switching, PoE, security, 6GHz readiness, and post-deployment validation.

Before purchasing new WLAN hardware, IT leaders should take time to understand what the business needs from the wireless network today and what it will likely need in the future. A successful refresh starts with requirements, not hardware.

Working with a wireless network engineering professional can help organizations avoid common design mistakes, reduce deployment friction, and deliver a better experience for users. When planned properly, a wireless refresh can improve reliability, increase capacity, strengthen security, and prepare the organization for the next generation of wireless connectivity.

About the Author

Jed Rabe is a deeply learned IT professional with more than a decade of hands-on wireless networking experience in wildly varied and complex environments. As Director of Wireless Network Engineering, he leads the design and deployment of robust, security-focused, and high-performance wireless network solutions tailored to the unique requirements of organizations of every size in every industry. His technical expertise includes WLAN design and deployment, wireless site surveying, switching, and the development of comprehensive network documentation.

Jed holds two of the industry’s most respected certifications: Certified Wireless Network Expert (CWNE #280) and Aruba Certified Design Expert (ACDX #925). Achieving the CWNE designation required completion of the CWNA, CWSP, CWDP, and CWAP certifications, along with the publication of original technical articles, peer endorsements, and formal approval by the CWNE board. These credentials reflect Jed’s expert-level proficiency in wireless network design, security, administration, and analysis.

In addition to his technical leadership, Jed is known for a customer-focused, collaborative approach that emphasizes clear communication and long-term success. He works closely with Structured’s clients to recommend technologies, design implementation strategies, and resolve complex network challenges, both in critical response situations and through proactive, strategic planning. His ability to balance deep technical knowledge with exceptional customer service positions him as a trusted advisor to clients.