Juniper Networks announced two new 6 GHz
access points that leverage Mist AI to maximize Wi-Fi performance and
capacity while simplifying IT operations. In addition, Juniper is
introducing a new IoT Assurance service that streamlines and scales the
onboarding and securing of IoT devices without Network Access Control
(NAC). These enhancements to the Juniper wireless access portfolio
further the company's experience-first networking mission so that IT
administrators can deliver the best network experiences to their end
users.
"While
it is relatively easy to support new standards like Wi-Fi 6E in
hardware and to onboard a small number of IoT devices using pre-shared
keys, Juniper has again put customers first by applying the proven
benefits of Mist AI and the modern microservices cloud to these
environments to deliver unparalleled performance, agility, ease and
scale," said Jeff Aaron, VP Enterprise Marketing. "From Day Zero
installation through ongoing monitoring, management and troubleshooting
of the network, Juniper continues to stand out for an experience-first
approach to networking that delivers the best experiences for operators
and end users from the client to the cloud."
AI for 6E
Wi-Fi
6E is a new wireless standard that expands network capacity by making a
larger amount of RF spectrum available in the 6 GHz range to add to the
existing 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. To take full advantage of Wi-Fi 6E,
Juniper is announcing two new tri-band access points (APs), managed via
the same Mist cloud and AI engine as the rest of the Juniper Mist
portfolio. These include:
- AP 45 - 2.4 GHz/5 GHz/6 GHz quad-radio, 4x4:4SS, vBLE array
- AP 34 - 2.4 GHz/5 GHz/6 GHz quad-radio, 2x2:2SS, omni BLE
The
new access points complement the existing 2.4- and 5-GHz APs currently
in the Juniper Mist portfolio, which support both 802.11ac and 802.11ax
protocols. All APs incorporate either Juniper's patented virtualized
Bluetooth LE or omnidirectional BLE antenna in addition to Wi-Fi to
provide a wide range of location-based services in a scalable and cost
effective manner.
Unlike
competing Wi-Fi 6E solutions, the Juniper Mist solution incorporates
rich client insights and AIOps to deliver optimized configurations,
maximum performance and optimized packet scheduling for increased
capacity. This is all achieved without sacrificing performance for older
2.4- and 5-GHz clients for maximum investment protection.
Secure IoT Onboarding in a NAC-less Environment
The
new Juniper Mist IoT Assurance cloud service delivers one-stop IoT
operations for enterprise customers, including policy assignments,
segmentation, traffic engineering and key lifecycle management. Many IoT
devices (such as cameras, smart locks, HVAC systems, wearables,
sensors, MRI/CT/ultrasound machines, bed monitors and digital displays)
do not support 802.1x, so they cannot be onboarded using traditional NAC
solutions. Juniper solves this by enabling them to be onboarded at
cloud scale using private pre-shared keys (PPSK) which can be easily set
up and administered using a self-serve programmable cloud portal. By
eliminating expensive third-party hardware and overlay software and
enabling simple IoT onboarding via an intuitive cloud service, Juniper
has tackled a common challenge to deliver an exceptional IoT experience
to existing and future customers.
"Organizations
are embracing hybrid work, forcing IT to rethink connectivity options
across campus environments. In addition to supporting increased use of
audio and video collaboration solutions, IoT devices are also in greater
demand to ensure work place safety and security. As a result,
complexity is growing rapidly. Juniper Networks' new AI-enabled Wi-Fi 6E
access points and IoT Assurance Service enable organizations to
overcome those challenges and drive higher levels of operational
efficiency." - Bob Laliberte, Practice Director & Senior Analyst, Enterprise Strategy Group