by Apple @ Work is brought to you by Kolide, the device trust solution that ensures that if a device isn’t secure, it can’t access your cloud apps. If you have Okta, Kolide can help you get your fleet 100% compliant. It’s Zero Trust for Okta. Learn more or request a demo today.
Wi-Fi 6E is the latest Wi-Fi technology that delivers faster speeds, lower latency and improved overall network performance. The latest MacBook Pro, Mac mini and iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation) or iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation) are the only Apple devices that support Wi-Fi 6E, giving users the ability to take advantage of this new technology. Wi-Fi 6E operates in the 6 GHz frequency band, which is a newly available spectrum that is essentially a new highway for Wi-Fi. In this edition of Apple @ Work, I want to explain why Wi-Fi 6E may be the new standard for remote work environments.
About Apple @ Work: Bradley Chambers managed an enterprise IT network from 2009 to 2021. Through his experience in developing and managing firewalls, switches, mobile device management system, enterprise-grade Wi-Fi, 100 Macs and 100 iPads, Bradley will highlight ways how Apple IT managers deploy Apple devices, build networks to support them, train users, stories from the trenches of IT management, and ways Apple could improve its products for IT departments.
For IT professionals, supporting remote workers can be a difficult task when it comes to Wi-Fi connectivity. In many cases, employees may experience Wi-Fi issues that are nearly impossible for IT professionals to diagnose and resolve. This is because IT professionals do not have insight into the radio frequency (RF) environment of the employee’s home, making it difficult to determine the source of the problem. Since Wi-Fi is a shared medium, there are many other issues that can occur to end users.
An example of this is when an employee’s Wi-Fi connection is slow or drops frequently. This may be due to interference from other devices in the home, such as a microwave oven or smart home device operating on the same frequency as the Wi-Fi network. It could also be due to overlap with other Wi-Fi signals in the area – especially in a multi-home environment. Without access to the employee’s home environment, IT professionals may struggle to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem and find a solution.
Another example is when an employee’s Wi-Fi network does not provide enough coverage throughout their home. This may be due to a weak Wi-Fi signal or a lack of access points at home. IT professionals may not be able to determine the exact cause of the problem without visiting the employee’s home or accessing information about the home layout and Wi-Fi network design. These challenges demonstrate the need for a solution that provides a reliable Wi-Fi connection for remote workers without interference.
How Wi-Fi 6E and the latest Apple devices solve the problem
Wi-Fi 6E provides a solution to these problems by providing a new, less congested frequency band for Wi-Fi signals to operate. This reduces interference from other devices and provides a faster, more reliable Wi-Fi connection. The latest MacBook Pro, Mac mini and iPad Pro, which are the only Apple devices that support Wi-Fi 6E, can benefit from this improved performance.
IT professionals can now support remote workers with confidence, knowing their Wi-Fi networks will deliver the speed and reliability needed for work-related tasks. By making Wi-Fi 6E routers the standard for remote workers along with devices that support Wi-Fi 6E, IT professionals can ensure their remote workers have the best home Wi-Fi experience possible.
Wi-Fi 6E and the latest MacBook Pro and Mac mini provide a solution to the challenges faced by remote workers and IT professionals. With improved performance and reduced interference, remote workers can now work from home with confidence, knowing their Wi-Fi networks will provide the speed and reliability they need to be productive. Wi-Fi 6E is a brand new day for Wi-Fi, and in my 15 years of IT experience, it’s the biggest upgrade to Wi-Fi since it was first released.
Which Apple devices support Wi-Fi 6E?
To access a Wi-Fi 6E network, you’ll need one of the following Apple devices:
To set up a Wi-Fi 6E network, you will need a Wi-Fi router such as the eero Pro 6E or a similar product that supports Wi-Fi 6E and has the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands enabled. For optimal performance, it is recommended to use one network name (SSID) in all bands, including the 6 GHz band.
For the best experience with Apple devices, your Wi-Fi router should have a single network name that covers all wireless bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi 6E. This ensures that the network provides seamless and consistent performance.
Apple @ Work is brought to you by Kolide, the device trust solution that ensures that if a device isn’t secure, it can’t access your cloud apps. If you have Okta, Kolide can help you get your fleet 100% compliant. It’s Zero Trust for Okta. Learn more or request a demo today.
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