WiFi 7 Design Consideration

[John.Mayer]

Hi

I'm planning to add new WiFi 7 access points (APs) to my existing WiFi 6 environment. Are there any design guidelines or considerations for mixing these two technologies, particularly regarding client connectivity?

Here are some key points I would like to consider:
1. Roaming between WiFi 7 and WiFi 6.
2. Firmware versions for the Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) and the access points (WAPs).

Thanks, John

[Radu96069]

Hi, John!

The short answer is: don’t do it.
If you need more APs, just buy Wi-Fi 6 APs. The TCO will be much, much better.
Whatever performance needs you have now and over the next five years can be met by Wi-Fi 6.

If you’re looking for plenty of headaches fixing bugs, then buy Wi-Fi 7, but don’t mix them with the others. Keep all of the same type in one area and minimize roaming between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 APs as much as possible. (The others explained the reasons)

Good luck!
Radu

[John.Mayer]

Hey Radu
Thanks for the heads-up.

Actually, I've decided to go with Wifi 6e at this stage instead of Wifi 7 due to issues like upgrading the WLC and to avoid mixing Wifi 7 and Wifi 6.

[Radu96069]

Hi, John!
Thanks for the update.

Kepp in mind that the design recommendations remain valid. The main challenge, and the source of most issues, based on my tests and feedback from many others, comes from the tendency of devices to stick to the 6 GHz band rather than roaming to 5 GHz, as well as the requirement of WPA3 to utilize the 6 GHz radio.

If roaming is not needed and all devices support Wi-Fi 6E, then you're unlikely to encounter significant problems. But if roaming is necessary and many of the client devices don't support 6 GHz, you'll likely end up disabling the 6 GHz band and reverting to WPA2.

Good luck and maybe you share the experience.
Radu