As enterprises prepare for the growing demands of Wi-Fi 7, upgrading network infrastructure has become increasingly important to ensure reliable connectivity and maximize wireless access point performance.
During a meeting with resellers, Ruckus Networks and Banbros Commercial Inc. (BCI) executives presented solutions and strategies for improving network connectivity, highlighting the role of high-performance switches in supporting next-generation wireless networks.
Timothy Balura, BCI Pre/Post Sales Engineer at Banbros, opened the discussion with examples of emerging use cases and the need to modernize network infrastructure.
“We are now going to Wi-Fi 7. We have to cope up with the changing times…. Switches have to upgrade to maximize Wi-Fi 7,” Balura said.
At the event, titled “RUCKUS SWITCH TO SUPERIOR: Next-Level Performance with RUCKUS ICX,” Ramjie Marilla, System Engineer at Ruckus Networks, outlined the competitive advantages of Ruckus ICX switches, particularly their stacking capabilities, scalability, and network availability.
Ruckus ICX stacking advantages
Marilla highlighted six key features of Ruckus ICX switches:
- Built-in stacking: Stacking capabilities are integrated into the switches, eliminating the need for additional stacking modules.
- Standard Ethernet port support: Stacking can use standard Ethernet ports, including dual-mode stacking and uplink ports, as well as 10, 25, 40, and 100 Gigabit Ethernet connections on supported models.
- Long-distance stacking: Supported configurations can connect switches over distances of up to 10 kilometers.
- Scalability: A stack can accommodate up to 12 switches, depending on the model and configuration.
- High availability: In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU) capabilities on supported configurations allow software updates with minimal disruption to network traffic.
- Hitless failover: Supported configurations provide failover capabilities designed to maintain network availability during certain system or component failures.
Jeune Cedric Roman, Banbros BCI Pre/Post Sales Engineer, also emphasized the capabilities of Ruckus’ enterprise networking solutions in supporting evolving connectivity requirements.
Supporting enterprise and Wi-Fi 7 deployments
Ruckus ICX switches are fixed-form-factor, stackable Ethernet switches designed for enterprise campus networks, wireless edge environments, and Internet of Things (IoT) deployments.
Depending on the model, the switches support high-density stacking, long-distance connections over fiber or Ethernet, and centralized network management through Ruckus One, a cloud-based platform, or Ruckus SmartZone, an on-premises management solution. Controller-less deployments are also supported.
The switches connect wired devices, including computers, printers, and security cameras, while working alongside Ruckus wireless access points to provide a unified network infrastructure.
Selected ICX models support multi-gigabit Ethernet speeds, including 2.5, 5, and 10 GbE, helping accommodate the higher throughput requirements of modern Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 access points.
As organizations adopt newer wireless technologies, upgrading switching infrastructure can help remove potential network bottlenecks, improve capacity, and provide the scalability needed for increasingly connected workplaces.
The discussion underscored the importance of aligning wired network infrastructure with wireless technology upgrades to help enterprises build networks ready for evolving connectivity demands.
— Edison Dy Ong
