Higher-speed WiFi technology is available, but not everyone needs it. What it is: There’s a new Wi-Fi option waiting in the wings. Enterprise vendors such as Motorola and Cisco have recently started promoting gear that supports the 802.11n specification, which runs at about 100 megabits per second (Mbps). Meanwhile, the next generation standard—802.11n 450, based on chip sets made by Marvell, could easily top 200Mbps of throughput under ideal conditions. why the hype: Faster wireless networks open the door for high-definition video conferencing, video streaming and a nirvana state for a large corporation: No more wired connections. Consumer router companies such as D-Link and Trendnet are set to release 450Mbps models this year. The real deal: Visitors to a corporate campus have three concerns: on-time meetings, freshly-brewed coffee and ubiquitous Wi-Fi access. For those in charge of IT services, there’s usually no debate over timely schedules and good coffee, but Wi-Fi is a bit of an open question. Some would argue that wireless networking at a large company opens the enterprise to network breaches and hacks. Or that it isn’t necessary: Travelling employees can always use a mobile broadband card to access the corporate network. But employees onsite like the convenience of Wi-Fi, too. IT often gives in. What isn’t always clear is which Wi-Fi standard to use. Early adopters installed the first version, 802.11a (which runs at 25Mbps). Most companies now run 802.11g (at around 40Mpbs) and a few brave souls have standardized on 802.11n, even though the IEEE (a working group that approves wireless standards) hasn’t certified it yet. Most smartphones and legacy gear use 802.11g; increasingly, newer laptops and video gear—such as the Apple TV—support 802.11n. For Daryl Crowley, the IT director at Ludington Hospital in Ludington, Mich., faster Wi-Fi is a major goal. But not at the expense of security. The hospital decided to upgrade its wireless network to support telepresence and electronic records management, and to use most powerful wireless security protocols. Crowley chose Motorola Enterprise WLAN products supporting 802.11n because they are very customer-focused. “We didn’t have a target to achieve a certain speed, but we did want to get all the speed we could and have the equipment be viable for some time,” says Crowley. Should you invest?: Wi-Fi at 450Mbps speed probably isn’t necessary for most enterprises right now. Devin Akin, cofounder and CTO of Certified Wireless Network Professional, an industry certification program, says most organizations using lower-speed Wi-Fi aren’t using all of their bandwidth. Dan Tice, the CIO at Avocent, a company that makes console and remote-switching systems, has also taken a wait-and-see attitude toward upgrading. “I’d need a strong motive,” he says, “for example, [a new installation] where I did not have wired infrastructure or where I could avoid wired infrastructure.” Related content opinion The Importance of Identity Management in Security By Charles Pelton Nov 28, 2023 5 mins Cybercrime Artificial Intelligence Data Management brandpost Sponsored by Rocket Software Why data virtualization is critical for business success Data is your most valuable resource—but only if you can access it fast enough to address present challenges. Data virtualization is the key. By Milan Shetti, CEO of Rocket Software Nov 28, 2023 4 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by Rocket Software The hybrid approach: Get the best of both mainframe and cloud Cloud computing and modernization often go hand in hand, but that doesn’t mean the mainframe should be left behind. A hybrid approach offers the most value, enabling businesses to get the best of both worlds. By Milan Shetti, CEO Rocket Software Nov 28, 2023 4 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by Rimini Street Dear Oracle Cloud…I need my own space Access results from a recent Rimini Street survey about why enterprises are rethinking their Oracle relationship and cloud strategy. By Tanya O'Hara Nov 28, 2023 5 mins Cloud Computing Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe