What's 802.11ax Wi-Fi? The Next-Gen Wi-Fi is here

What's 802.11ax Wi-Fi? The Next-Gen Wi-Fi is here | ASUS
ASUS
Published on Oct 5, 2018
The Generation 6 Wi-Fi is here. 802.11ax provides faster WiFi speed comparing to ac routers, as well as providing 4X network capacity and efficiency. Increasing up to 80% wider WiFi range and 7X better battery life for connected devices.


RT-AX88U
https://www.asus.com/us/Networking/RT-AX88U/

Unboxing & Performance of a new standard router: the RT-AX88U | ASUS
ASUS
Published on Oct 3, 2018
Want to see the most advanced WiFi in the world?
ASUS has one of the first 802.11ax routers available and you can see it right now.
Witness the true 802.11ax speed! Learn more about ASUS RT-AX88U at: https://www.asus.com/Networking/RT-AX...


What is 802.11ax Wi-Fi?
Techquickie
Published on Feb 23, 2018
802.11ax Wi-Fi is the next major revision of the wireless networking standard. What new features does it offer?


802.11ax - What's New Webinar
CWNPTV
Published on May 17, 2018
This high-level overview of 802.11ax starts the learning process. We will have in-depth webinars on various 802.11ax abilities, such as OFDMA, Resource Units, Target Wait Time (TWT), and BSS coloring in the future.

 

Wi-Fi Alliance® introduces Wi-Fi 6
New generational approach enables users to easily differentiate between Wi-Fi® technologies
https://www.wi-fi.org/news-events/newsroom/wi-fi-alliance-introduces-wi-fi-6

" Austin, TX, - October 3, 2018 – Wi-Fi Alliance® introduces Wi-Fi 6 as the industry designation for products and networks that support the next generation of Wi-Fi®, based on 802.11ax technology. Wi-Fi 6 is part of a new naming approach by Wi-Fi Alliance that provides users with an easy-to-understand designation for both the Wi-Fi technology supported by their device and used in a connection the device makes with a Wi-Fi network.

The new naming system identifies Wi-Fi generations by a numerical sequence which correspond to major advancements in Wi-Fi. The generation names can be used by product vendors to identify the latest Wi-Fi technology a device supports, by OS vendors to identify the generation of Wi-Fi connection between a device and network, and by service providers to identify the capabilities of a Wi-Fi network to their customers. The generational terminology may also be used to designate previous Wi-Fi generations, such as 802.11n or 802.11ac. The numerical sequence includes:

• Wi-Fi 6 to identify devices that support 802.11ax technology
• Wi-Fi 5 to identify devices that support 802.11ac technology
• Wi-Fi 4 to identify devices that support 802.11n technology

Each generation of Wi-Fi offers new features – faster speeds, increased throughput, and better experiences. Industry adoption of the new terminology will help users better understand the experience they can expect.

Wi-Fi 6 will deliver an improved experience to address device and application needs in a range of consumer and enterprise environments. The generational terminology is expected to be widely adopted by the Wi-Fi ecosystem.

“For nearly two decades, Wi-Fi users have had to sort through technical naming conventions to determine if their devices support the latest Wi-Fi,” said Edgar Figueroa, president and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance. “Wi-Fi Alliance is excited to introduce Wi-Fi 6, and present a new naming scheme to help industry and Wi-Fi users easily understand the Wi-Fi generation supported by their device or connection.”

In addition to describing the capabilities of the device, device manufacturers or OS vendors can incorporate the generational terminology in User Interface (UI) visuals to indicate the current type of Wi-Fi connection. The UI visual will adjust as a device moves between Wi-Fi networks so users have real-time awareness of their device connection.

Beginning with Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi Alliance certification programs based on major IEEE 802.11 releases will use a generational Wi-Fi name; Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6™ certification is coming in 2019.

Please visit https://www.wi-fi.org/wi-fi-6 and download the Wi-Fi 6 white paper and/or Generational Wi-Fi User Guide for more information.
..."

 

The routers going on sale starting mid October from all brands are draft only and as far as I know none supported MU-MIMO on the uplink (will be there in final) only working on the downlink like previous ac products. Probably next year (mid-late) when units/chipsets with finalized ax revision or WiFi 6 (5 for ac, 4 for n etc) as per the new WiFi naming scheme, will be out. Probably have actual client products by the end of next year as well.

 

That's pretty standard behavior, and how the router makers stay on the cutting edge, plus offer field testable implementations to use for improvements. It's been this way since the beginning.

Software updates can bring first release routers to final standard spec, as long as the hardware implementation doesn't change. That's always a risk.

It depends on your use and interest in Wifi, as many will be eagar to get test units as soon as they ship.

Next-generation 802.11ax wi-fi: Dense, fast, delayed
The 802.11ax standard addresses wi-fi challenges such as client density and latency, but it's still early days, with final approval not expected until late 2019 .
By Rupert Goodwins | October 3, 2018 -- 09:47 GMT (02:47 PDT)
https://www.zdnet.com/article/next-generation-802-11ax-wi-fi-dense-fast-delayed/

How to Prepare Your Network for 802.11ax
In this Q&A, Aruba's Lissa Hollinger provides some guidance on how IT professionals should proceed with the next revision of Wi-Fi.
Zeus Kerravala | September 13, 2018
https://www.nojitter.com/post/240173836/how-to-prepare-your-network-for-80211ax

 

I get an ax router to beta test from Netgear next week but obviously no ax clients lol.

 

Bridge two ax routers?

List of 802.11ax Hardware
Wireless Routers/Access Points
https://wikidevi.com/wiki/List_of_802.11ax_Hardware

 

Yes but, doubt they’d give me two lol.

 

All you can do is ask... and / or ask for client interface devices to use for testing - maybe there are PCIE cards out there for testing?

I posted that list of 802.11ax hardware, maybe push for another brand / model to use for interoperability testing?