Vendors » What is WiFi 6 Router as per 802.11ax : Top Manufacturers

What is WiFi 6 Router as per 802.11ax : Top Manufacturers

A WiFi 6 router is a wireless networking device based on the IEEE 802.11ax standard, offering higher capacity, faster speeds, lower latency, and improved efficiency compared to previous WiFi generations. These routers are designed to support multiple connected devices in homes, offices, and enterprise environments. The popular manufacturers include Aerohive Networks, ASUS, D-Link, and TP-Link.

Key features

802.11ax features and advantages

Image Courtesy: Ruckus Networks

Here’s a breakdown of WiFi 6 (802.11ax) technology:

IEEE 802.11ax is the 6th generation of WiFi, hence the name WiFi 6.
Due to its efficient performance, it’s also known as HEW (High Efficiency WLAN).
It was developed to overcome limitations of 802.11ac, such as contention-based uplink access.
802.11ax offers better efficiency, network capacity, performance, and user experience with reduced latency.
A WiFi 6 Router or Access Point (AP) should support the following features to be compliant with the IEEE 802.11ax standard:
- Higher modulation scheme like 1024-QAM.
- More OFDM subcarriers in a symbol, or long OFDM symbols.
- Multiplexing users using MU-MIMO in both uplink and downlink.
- Beamforming and OFDMA techniques.
- 8 simultaneous MU-MIMO streams.
- Uplink scheduling without contention.
- BSS color codes.
- Use of both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

WLAN 802.11ax routers

The following table lists various 802.11ax (WiFi 6) router manufacturers and vendors. The image above depicts WLAN WiFi 6 routers from well-known manufacturers.

WiFi 6 Router Manufacturers	Description with model (if any)
Aerohive Networks	• Models: AP630 and AP650 • Features of AP630: Dual band, 1.8GHz dual core CPU, 1GB RAM, 256 MB Flash memory, 2 LAN and 1 USB 2.0 Ports, Cost of about $1199 etc.<br>• Features of AP650: Tri-band, 1.8GHz quad core CPU, 1 2.5GB WAN, 1 LAN and 1 USB 3.0 ports, 8 antennas, cost:$ 1399 etc.
ASUS	• Model: Rapture GT-AX11000 & RT-AX88U • Features of Rapture GT-AX11000: Triband, 1.8 GHz quad core, 1GB RAM, 256 MB flash memory, 1 2.5GB ethernet powrt, 4 LAN ports, 2 USB 3.1 ports etc. • Features of RT-AX88U: Dual band, Same CPU as above, 1 WAN port(1GB), 8 LAN ports, 2 USB 3.1 ports etc. • ASUS has also developed AiMesh AX6100 which supports mesh topology.
D-LINK	• Model: AX11000 Ultra wifi router & AX6000 Ultra wifi router • Feaures of AX11000 : Triband, 8 antennas, 1 5GB WAN port, 4 LAN ports, 1 USB 3.0 port • Features of AX6000 : Triband, 1.8 GHZ quad core CPU, 512 MB RAM, 256 MB flash memory, ports as above etc.
TP-LINK	• Model: Archer AX11000 • Features: 1.8 GHz quad core CPU, 512MB flash memory, 1 2.5GB WAN port, 8 LAN ports, 1 USB 3.0 type-A port, 1 USB 3.0 type-C port

Summary

A WiFi 6 router uses the 802.11ax standard to provide faster and more efficient wireless networking. Manufacturers offer WiFi 6 routers for homes, businesses, gaming, and smart device ecosystems.