Introduction Designing and deploying Wi-Fi networks in large public venues (LPVs) like stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and auditoriums presents a unique set of challenges. Each venue has its own physical layout, building materials, and aesthetic requirements that can impact Wi-Fi performance. In addition, high user densities and varying attendance levels make it crucial to plan for both coverage and capacity.  The events hosted at these venues can lead to vastly different user behaviors and Wi-Fi usage patterns. Fans at a Taylor Swift concert, for example, will likely share the expe ..read more

Welcome to a new era of Wi-Fi design! Ekahau AI Pro Online offers a brand-new way to achieve awesome Wi-Fi designs using data from the world’s most accurate and advanced Wi-Fi measurement device, the Ekahau Sidekick 2. With AI Pro Online, identify your Wi-Fi signal strength at every point of your network, measure your network health, and create a perfectly modeled RF environment for your new design.  With Sidekick 2 survey data as the foundation for your predictive models, AI Pro Online allows you to get the most accurate network visualizations possible, right from your online web browser ..read more

Voice over Wi-Fi and the use of softphones have emerged as key elements of enterprise communication, offering flexibility and efficiency. Softphones are a cost-effective replacement for traditional desk phones that allow you to make and receive phone calls over the Internet on virtually any device.  With voice over Wi-Fi, businesses can benefit from significant cost savings by leveraging existing Wi-Fi infrastructure for voice communication, reducing the need for expensive cellular plans or landline services. Additionally, the mobility provided by softphones enables employees to stay conn ..read more

When it comes to Wi-Fi design and optimization, collaboration is critical, especially in large, challenging environments where time isn’t always on your side. After all, imagine the time and effort required for one person to survey an entire Wi-Fi network at complex settings like stadiums and concert arenas, college campuses, hospitals, or warehouses. It’s a daunting task, especially if it requires travel time — time that will cut into your ability to work on other projects.  Collaborate More Efficiently with Ekahau Tools In today’s world of Wi-Fi network management, the importance of col ..read more

Wi-Fi 7: What’s New and How It Will Impact Your Network Ask the IT crowd about the most important things in Wi-Fi and expect a mixed bag of answers — some will say throughput, some will say latency, others might say fast roaming or high capacity, but most will place security near the top of their lists. We’ll take it a step further: Wi-Fi security is easily the most important thing in Wi-Fi. After all, it doesn’t matter how fast your roaming is if your business suffers from a security breach. Your roaming can be fixed quickly. Your reputation cannot (not to mention the financial ramifications ..read more

Wi-Fi 7 is the upcoming Wi-Fi standard that promises faster speeds, lower latency, and better reliability than previous generations. Hot on the heels of Wi-Fi 6E, the Wi-Fi 7 certification has been finalized, and the 802.11be standard is expected to be released as early as the first half of 2024. What is Wi-Fi 7? The short answer is that Wi-Fi 7 is the next generation of Wi-Fi, building on the tech currently available in Wi-Fi 6 and 6E. It promises Extremely High Throughput (EHT) and enhanced latency. The more technical answer is that Wi-Fi 7 is a marketing term for the Wi-Fi Alliance’s compat ..read more

Introduction to Wi-Fi Wi-Fi continues to play an increasingly vital role in enabling internet connectivity and connecting people and devices in homes, businesses, and public spaces around the world. The underlying technology behind Wi-Fi, defined in the 802.11 protocol standards, allows devices to communicate wirelessly using radio frequencies. When designed and deployed properly, Wi-Fi networks can provide secure, reliable, and high-speed connectivity.  With so many factors that can impact Wi-Fi performance, from network design to the number of people using Wi-Fi access points (AP) and m ..read more

Wi-Fi networks are the backbone of connectivity in everything from homes to offices to large public venues. But sometimes, Wi-Fi needs a little extra help to cover everywhere we want it to. In more challenging wireless environments, the built-in antennas in wireless access points can struggle with the range or flexibility needed for flawless connections. That’s where external antennas come in! External antennas allow you to customize and optimize your radiofrequency (RF) environment in ways you simply can’t with standard omnidirectional internal antennas. In this guide, we’ll walk through ever ..read more

SUMMARY Since its introduction in 2017, the Ekahau Sidekick (and now Sidekick 2) has revolutionized Wi-Fi diagnostics and RF measurement, becoming an essential tool for Wi-Fi professionals worldwide, including in 90% of Fortune 500 companies. The Sidekick brand is known around the world as the most accurate, easiest to use Wi-Fi diagnostic device and the supporting software and native integrations make it truly an all-in-one, comprehensive, and trusted solution for building and maintaining your business-critical Wi-Fi networks. The launch of Sidekick 2 in 2022 further elevated this legacy, of ..read more

Meet the new and improved Ekahau Optimizer! When Optimizer launched a few months ago, we previewed the power of having on-demand access to your own personal Wi-Fi expert. Well buckle up, because this expert just got even smarter! Ekahau Optimizer now delivers deeper insights and new simulated visualizations to show you the performance improvements you can expect before you make any configuration changes. Just walk with the Sidekick 2 to collect the world’s most accurate Wi-Fi data, and then let Optimizer provide instant Ekahau AI recommendations for your unique network. This changes the game ..read more