Wi-Fi CERTIFIED EasyMesh™: The solution to multiple access point networks

The concern: Wi-Fi^® coverage in the home

There is a vast difference between what customers should have and what they do have when it comes to broadband coverage in the home. Current limitations on Wi-Fi coverage in the home often restrict customers from using their broadband services in many locations within their premises. This lowers satisfaction, increases churn, and causes a high volume of troubleshooting calls.

The imaginary solution: proprietary multi-AP systems

Inexpensive and unmanaged Wi-Fi extenders can fill in some coverage holes in the home, but extenders generally do not have the same level of performance as multi-access point (multi-AP) systems.

Deploying multiple Wi-Fi APs across the premises can solve coverage problems, but only if the APs are properly configured, such as using non-overlapping Wi-Fi channels. A number of vendors now offer multi-AP systems which can self-configure, and broadband operators are using these systems.

Many current multi-AP systems are proprietary, with the complete set of hardware and software controlled by a single vendor. These offer an enticing, rapid, off-the-shelf solution to coverage problems. However, using these systems means that a user or operator is locked-in to a single vendor, now and in the future. A customer cannot provide their own AP, and upgrades are limited to offerings from that specific vendor. Over time, the locked-in system may eventually become a headache.

Other solutions claim to be “open” but are not standardized and ultimately require proprietary systems, similarly, causing vendor lock-in.

The real solution: Wi-Fi CERTIFIED EasyMesh™

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED EasyMesh™ was introduced by Wi-Fi Alliance^® to bring a common approach to multi-AP Wi-Fi networks and eliminate vendor lock-in by standardizing the interface between a controller and various APs.

Multi-AP systems that support Wi-Fi EasyMesh™ interoperate, so a certified multi-AP controller or agent can work with a multi-AP controller or agent from other vendors. A customer or operator who wants a different controller or AP can just swap it out with another Wi-Fi EasyMesh device. Any vendor’s multi-AP controller algorithms or software that support Wi-Fi EasyMesh can be used, and upgrading is seamless.

Wi-Fi EasyMesh supports the functions needed to provide complete Wi-Fi coverage, including basic diagnostics, channel and band changes, and the ability to steer stations to a different associated AP as needed.

Continuing solutions: further enhancing Wi-Fi EasyMesh

Wi-Fi EasyMesh solves Wi-Fi coverage concerns with a standardized, interoperable approach to multi-AP networks. New enhancements to Wi-Fi EasyMesh will further enhance multi-AP networks.

New capabilities of Wi-Fi EasyMesh include traffic separation, enhanced client steering with Wi-Fi Agile Multiband support, diagnostic support for Wi-Fi Data Elements, controlled AP channel scans, and coordinated Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) to enable the use of 5 GHz DFS channels.

Wi-Fi EasyMesh provides a solution for multi-AP networks now and in the future, and ASSIA believes the technology can grow to encompass further upgrades such as Wi-Fi cloud management.