Looks like there’s an 802.11n wireless LAN is in your company’s future. Or is there? We asked 372 IT professionals about their plans for 802.11n and the answers were all over the map.
802.11n is currently a draft IEEE standard but it’s being implemented by nearly all WLAN vendors and products are certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The standard is expected to be ratified in early 2009.
So what are YOUR plans for 802.11n…and why?
The draft 802.11n standard promises to increase wireless data rates by five-fold compared to current 802.11g and 11a networks, and those rates will be sustained at longer distances from the access point. (Our 2007 tests of first generation wireless found throughput typically exceeded 100Mbps.)
Our survey was taken by members of Network World’s Technology Opinion Panel and conducted by independent researcher Research Concepts. Before I show you the results (revealed on page 2 of this blog post), it’s your turn to vote. What is your organization’s plan for 802.11n?
Will you deploy sooner or later? And why? (Drop me a comment below.)
The benefits of 802.11n, some say, could spell the end of the Ethernet cable as the principal client connection to the network. Universities and colleges are among the first to plunge into large-scale 11n deployments.
But 11n also introduces new complexities and challenges of its own. Actual performance and cost are influenced by the number of radios in the access point, their number of data streams and antennas, frequency, channel width, and the client’s 11n chipset.
One of the biggest issues may be how to power two-radio 11n access points, with both radios running, to achieve maximum performance: the current 802.3af power-over-Ethernet standard only supplies about half the wattage needed.
Finally, the fact that 11n is still only a draft IEEE standard is the show-stopper for many enterprises.
Turn the page to see what your peers have said about deploying 11n.
Our Technology Opinion Panel was split roughly into thirds over 11n, as the accompany graphs show. Fully 29% say they’re waiting for the standard to be ratified. Another 34% say they’re not even thinking about this issue. But the largest percentage, 38%, are taking action: either evaluating gear, planning to install 11 “in the future”, or have already installed 11n.
CLICK TO ENLARGE.
Among those 38%, about plan a gradual deployment over the next 1-2 years. But 17% plan to make take a fast deployment in a few months.
CLICK TO ENLARGE.
The question of powering 11n shows a wide range of answers among this same group. Basically, they’ll make use of whatever (new electrical wiring, 802.3at gear when available, etc) meets their needs, though 52% admit they’re not yet sure which strategy to adopt.
CLICK TO ENLARGE.
Where do you stand on 11n?
More stories on 802.11nDoes 802.11n spell the ‘end of Ethernet’?
Newsletter: Beware the 802.11n ‘power’ play
