Cisco Unveils Wi-Fi 7 Access Points with AI-Native Features and Unified Subscription Model

Cisco launches Wi-Fi 7 access points with AI-native features

Cisco has launched new Wi-Fi 7 access points (APs), featuring AI-native capabilities and a unified subscription model, aiming to enhance connectivity, security, and experience for enterprises. During the recent Cisco Live APJC event in Melbourne, Tom Gillis, senior vice president and general manager of the Cisco Security Business Group, introduced these next-generation Wi-Fi 7 access points. With these products, Cisco intends to help customers tackle connectivity, security, and assurance challenges, while providing a flexible system to future-proof their workplaces. Traditionally, users had to pick between cloud-managed Meraki APs or the on-premises Catalyst Center, but the new access points allow for seamless management through either platform. Although Wi-Fi 6E access points were the first to support dual-management, switching between modes previously required contacting Cisco and managing complicated back-end processes. Now, thanks to a new unified networking subscription, businesses can effortlessly manage their Wi-Fi 7 portfolio through a single license. Gillis stated, "This new subscription simplifies how customers do business" with the company, encouraging organizations to invest confidently in wireless solutions that will grow alongside them. Matt Landry, vice president of product management for Cisco Wireless, highlighted that these new access points not only support Wi-Fi 7 but also incorporate enhanced features, particularly for IoT applications, including Bluetooth low-energy radios and built-in ultra-wideband technology for advanced location services. This convergence of traditional Meraki and Catalyst access points creates a unified Cisco wireless product line that adapts to diverse management needs. Gillis emphasized three primary capabilities that deliver what he calls a "powerful, scalable and experience-driven approach" to wireless deployment. Promising to be the industry's "most intelligent wireless offering," Cisco's Wi-Fi 7 platform comes equipped with self-configuration capabilities and AI-powered performance optimization. It leverages the Cisco Spaces platform, allowing businesses to transform work environments into smart spaces seamlessly. A significant advantage of the new access points is their auto-detection system, which simplifies purchasing and deployment. With different countries requiring unique configurations, the past used to involve multiple SKUs and licensing issues. Now, the access points intelligently detect their location upon installation, automatically downloading the necessary configurations. Security remains a top priority for Cisco, as the new access points integrate advanced threat detection features. They provide AI-native device profiling, threat prevention, and robust encryption for secure connections. Moreover, Cisco ThousandEyes, which has been incorporated into various Cisco products in recent years, enhances operational visibility by identifying performance bottlenecks across multiple network infrastructures. This integration streamlines troubleshooting, helping users resolve issues far more quickly and efficiently. Cisco's latest innovations are reflective of its commitment to advancing its networking cloud platform strategy, characterized by the introduction of AI-native capabilities and an emphasis on operational simplicity and security. Landry stated, "When customers deploy a next-generation Wi-Fi 7 network, they will have everything they need to enable a smart spaces experience," offering insights into location data and power consumption for better resource management. The Wi-Fi 7 access points mark the first wave of products released under Cisco's new organizational structure, all overseen by Executive Vice President Jeetu Patel. Patel has made it clear that Cisco is pivoting toward creating a cohesive "platform" that enhances the user experience. Although access points have often been viewed as commodities, Cisco's investment in AI, security, and observability signifies a move toward more sophisticated solutions. The access points will be available for order starting November 13, 2024, with shipping to commence in December, paving the way for improved enterprise networking and experiences for users moving forward.

Cisco unveils Wi-Fi 7 solutions, bringing AI-native and self-configuring capabilities - SiliconANGLE

During the main keynote at Cisco Live APJC in Melbourne, Tom Gillis, senior vice president and general manager of the Cisco Security Business Group, introduced the products and mentioned that Cisco's goal with the new APs is to give its customers the ability to "solve for their connectivity, security and assurance challenges while also providing a flexible foundation to future-proof their workplaces." Historically, customers had to choose between cloud-managed Meraki APs or managed on-premises through Catalyst Center. With the new APs, customers can manage through the cloud or on-premises and quickly and easily switch if they choose. In actuality, the Wi-Fi 6E APs were the first to be dual-managed, but switching management modes required contacting Cisco and some back-end work being done. Achieving this level of flexibility requires deploying Cisco's new unified networking subscription, a single license covering the company's entire Wi-Fi 7 portfolio. Gillis said this new subscription "simplifies how customers do business" with the company and "allows organizations to confidently invest in wireless and networks that can grow and evolve with their business." Matt Landry, vice president of product management for Cisco Wireless, discussed the new solutions in a briefing for industry analysts. He said of the latest wireless access points, "Not only are they Wi-Fi 7-enabled, but they are also packed with additional capabilities, particularly on the IoT front, including Bluetooth low-energy radios and built-in ultra-wideband for advanced location use cases." Landry added, "This is the first step in our complete refresh of the Cisco wireless portfolio. We've combined the traditional Meraki and Catalyst wireless access points into a unified Cisco wireless product line that can be used anywhere with any management." The coming together of the two portfolios is long overdue. Initially, when Cisco acquired Meraki, the idea was that Meraki would serve the needs of smaller businesses, and larger companies would continue to rely on Catalyst. Over time, many of Cisco's large enterprise customers would use Meraki in branch offices as the cloud management was optimal for remote locations. The inability to share information, policies, and management tools across Catalyst and Meraki has been frustrating in recent years, and it's good to see Cisco finally have a unified product. Gillis cited three key capabilities that provide customers with what he described as a "powerful, scalable and experience-driven approach" to wireless deployment. He called the new Wi-Fi 7 platform the industry's "most intelligent wireless offering." The company said its access points auto-detect location and offer "AI-native performance optimization and out-of-the-box configuration" by leveraging its Cisco Spaces platform with an operating system that turns "workplaces into smart spaces." The auto-location capabilities greatly simplify purchasing. With Wi-Fi, different countries and regions mandate slightly different configurations. This created different SKUs, licenses and software images and made deployment complicated. The new APs have the intelligence to detect the location as soon as it's plugged in and downloaded the proper configuration. Regarding security, Cisco has embedded its threat detection capabilities, and it can secure every connection with AI-native device profiling, threat prevention, and advanced wireless security and data encryption. Also, the new APs are powered by Cisco ThousandEyes digital assurance solutions that use AI and automation to "identify and remediate performance bottlenecks beyond the wireless network and across owned and unowned infrastructure." Gillis said this approach enables its customers to "deliver exceptional experiences to every user, wherever they are." ThousandEyes has been an extremely popular product for Cisco, although historically underleveraged. Over the past couple of years, Cisco has embedded ThousandEyes into more of its products, including these APs, collaboration devices and more. This can speed up troubleshooting wireless problems, which is extremely difficult. For example, if a user has performance problems with video over Wi-Fi, there could be hundreds of possible reasons. With ThousandEyes observability, the source of the issue can be identified quickly and resolved in a small fraction of the time. Cisco's latest innovations reflect its commitment to its networking cloud platform approach. That strategy focuses on the continued introduction of products and solutions embedded with AI-native intelligence, operational simplicity and security. "When customers deploy a next-generation Wi-Fi 7 network," Landry said, "they will have everything they need to enable a smart spaces experience to get all of the power consumption and environmental data together to view where their people are congregating, where they have hotspots to enable these location services, and add open roaming to guests coming into their environments." These APs are the first network products rolled out under the new organizational structure, and all products are rolled up to Executive Vice President Jeetu Patel. In my conversations with him, he said Cisco is now committed to creating a "platform" that delivers unique experiences. Many consider APs to be a commodity, but Cisco has loaded the products with AI, security and observability capabilities, which is the first step in a long road to fulfilling Patel's commitment. During his keynote at the recent Cisco Partner Summit, Patel said that "Cisco is a company you won't recognize next year at this time," indicating more big changes are coming. The new Wi-Fi 7 access points, which can be ordered beginning Nov. 13, are scheduled to ship in December.

Cisco Unveils Wi-Fi 7 Technology; Unified Subscription To Support Cloud And Premises-Based Network Management

The tech giant introduces its first set of Wi-Fi 7-capable access points and the highly anticipated unified subscription that includes both Meraki and Catalyst-based management options so that users won't have to pick between premises or cloud management. The move marks the 'future' of how Cisco will offer up licenses for its products, the company tells CRN. Cisco Systems is introducing its first set of Wi-Fi 7-capable access points, but perhaps more exciting for end customers and partners is that the new hardware is being offered with a unified subscription that includes the options for both cloud and premises-based management, the tech giant said Tuesday at Cisco Live 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. The Wi-Fi 7 access points is the first offering that Cisco is providing with the new unified subscription, the "future" of how Cisco will offer up licenses for its products, Matthew Landry, vice president of product management, networking and security for Cisco, told CRN ahead of the event. "These access points are the first fully integrated wireless portfolio as we brought Meraki and Catalyst wireless together during the Wi-Fi 6E generation. ... The market has been very clear about wanting those multifunctional, multipurpose access points, [so] Wi-Fi 7 is going to be 100 percent top to bottom, end to end, converged. There's no longer a cloud-managed-only or a controller-managed-only AP. This is a truly unified product portfolio," Landry said. [Related: Cisco's Revamped Leadership To Pave The Way Toward Becoming A 'Meaningfully Different' Company: Exec] Cisco's latest announcements build on its Networking Cloud platform approach, and the San Jose, Calif.-based company's mission to simplify overall network management. Users historically have had to choose between two different platforms -- cloud-based Meraki and the premises-based Catalyst platforms for management. The new Cisco Networking Subscription and hardware will give customers more flexibility by offering a seamless wireless experience across cloud, on-premises and hybrid networks, the company said. Customers won't have to pick between management platforms, said Landry, who is responsible for Cisco's wireless portfolio, which includes both the Meraki and Catalyst lines. "We can ship one access point and that can be used anywhere in the world, and it can be used with cloud management or controller management out of the box. There's no planning. All of that goes away. You buy one access point, same hardware, and you can use it however and wherever you want," he said. The new Wi-Fi 7 product suite includes the CW 9176 and the CW 9178 access points, with the CW 9176 as the company's premium, top-of-range offering for very large deployments, Landry said. The latest wireless product family is intelligent, with AI built in and out-of-the-box self-configuration. The access points can auto-detect location once plugged in and come with Cisco Spaces as part of the subscription. Access to Cisco Spaces, the company's IoT platform, will help enterprises turn their workspaces into smart spaces, Cisco said. As Cisco works diligently to tie together networking and security, the Wi-Fi 7 technology will include advanced threat detection and data encryption. It's also infused with Cisco ThousandEyes, which will use AI and automation to identify and quickly remediate performance bottlenecks across the wireless network and across owned and unowned infrastructure, the company said. Landry said that Cisco will offer an upgrade path in the future for the Cisco Networking Subscription for use with existing access points. The new Cisco Wi-Fi 7 access points are available to order now and will ship in December 2024.

Introducing Zero-Friction Wireless for Smarter Workplaces

The future of work demands more than just better connectivity. As AI reshapes technology and redefines what's possible, organizations need a network that doesn't just keep up -- but leads. They can't afford to be held back by outdated, underpowered systems. They need a network -- and a platform -- built to grow, adapt, and take on whatever comes next. Today, I'm thrilled to announce that Wi-Fi 7 from Cisco is here. We've gone far beyond the standard to deliver a wireless solution truly capable of future-proofing every workplace. It's more intelligent than any other solution, combining AI-native capabilities with a self-configuring out-of-box experience. It secures every connection with advanced device profiling and threat prevention built for scale. And with end-to-end network assurance powered by Cisco ThousandEyes, Cisco Wi-Fi 7 ensures every experience is flawless and secure. The new Cisco Wi-Fi 7 access points are more than just upgrades. Our high-end 9176 and 9178 models represent a fundamental reimagining of what's possible in wireless networking. For the first time, we're introducing truly global, converged access points -- smart enough to detect their location the moment they're plugged in. We've eliminated regional SKUs, creating a single product model that works anywhere in the world, automatically and seamlessly switching between cloud or on-premises management as needed. AI and security aren't just add-on features -- they're built into every layer. Whether you're using Cisco AI-Enhanced Radio Resource Management (AI-RRM) to automate the RF tuning of your wireless network and improve user experience or automatically identifying and applying policies to every connected device on your network with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), our access points are built to adapt and scale to any organization. And with built-in Bluetooth Low Energy, ultra-wideband, and GPS capabilities, they can support any IoT use case imaginable -- from precise asset tracking in hospitals to immersive AR experiences in retail -- all through a single, intelligent platform. What I'm particularly proud of is that these access points represent a huge stride forward for sustainability. We've incorporated circular design principles, optimized for energy efficiency, and ensured zero plastic in our packaging. With a power save mode, smart port scheduling, and detailed visibility into energy use, cost, and carbon footprint impact, these are our most advanced products for energy savings yet. Wi-Fi 7 is more than a network for connectivity -- it's the foundation you need to build truly smart spaces. That's why Cisco Spaces is included as part of every wireless subscription license. Out of the box, you'll have access to rich AI 3D mapping, dynamic IoT services, precise asset tracking, and more. It's not just about building a digital-first space. It's about providing an experience that's connected, immersive, and innovative. Imagine hospitals that track critical equipment in real time, retail stores that automatically send contextual notifications when connected to Wi-Fi with OpenRoaming, or office buildings that can seamlessly navigate employees to available meeting rooms and desks, all without the need to download an additional app. With the power of Wi-Fi 7 and Cisco Spaces, there's an opportunity to build unique, rich, and collaborative spaces that provide truly transformative experiences, with a powerful network and insights into every nook and cranny. With the Cisco Networking Subscription, we're also introducing a complete reimagining of how organizations deploy and manage their wireless networks, starting with our Wi-Fi 7 access points. Gone are the days of different licenses and support packages for cloud versus on-premises deployments. Now, you get the same seamless experience in one license whether you're managing your network from the cloud, on-premises, or in a hybrid model. This means greater operational simplicity and the freedom to evolve your network management approach as your needs change. A truly smart, unified, and simple licensing model. The wireless landscape is becoming increasingly complex, with growing device density and bandwidth-hungry applications pushing previous Wi-Fi generations to its limits. Organizations don't just need faster speeds, they need better resilience, reliability, and security to unlock truly transformative and critical experiences. Whether you're reimagining retail experiences, connecting 40,000 students across campus, or transforming a factory floor, Cisco Wi-Fi 7 gives you the foundation to build intelligent spaces that will help you evolve and stay ahead.