HPE Aruba has launched new HPE Aruba 700 Series WiFi 7 access points specifically suited for supporting AI and IoT applications in edge environments.
According to the company, the new access points from HPE Aruba are especially suitable for AI and IoT applications at the edge of the enterprise network because of their higher performance. This improved performance comes primarily from better utilization of the various frequencies for wireless connectivity, specifically the 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz frequencies.
The HPE Aruba WiFi 7 700 Series access points feature the unique HPE ultra tri-band hardware technology. This technology uses UTB filtering to eliminate channel interference in the 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands. This improves performance and maximizes the capacity of wireless links. It also helps companies use both frequencies simultaneously.
Suitable for AI applications
This higher performance and capacity makes them especially suitable for capturing and routing data for AI training and inference purposes, according to HPE Aruba.
Using the new Aruba 700 Series access points for potential AI applications and IoT environments might also appeal because they feature twice as much SDRAM and Flash storage memory as previous models.
This extra boost in processing power and storage allows container-based applications to run on the access points themselves. This provides more streamlined data transfer and local processing of data. Ultimately, this may lead to faster responses to real-time conditions such as temperature and other movements, is the thinking.
Better IoT features
For better IoT applications, the now-released WiFi 7 access points have more support for various IoT protocols. For example, they have dual Bluetooth and Zigbee radios that operate reliably in IoT environments with many sensors. Their dual USB ports allow for connecting a wide range of IoT devices using proprietary protocols. Integrated non-permanent external antennas are also suitable for demanding RF environments.
At the management level for IoT environments, the HPE Aruba 730 Series access points eliminate the need for vendor-specific IoT overlay networks. This allows IoT devices in enterprise environments to communicate directly with services from other vendors.
Other new features
The new access points also feature security enhancements. These include better insights via HPE Aruba Networking Central Client Insights. New link-level encryption (MACsec) capabilities have also been added, and the access points have a personal wireless network mode for secure, self-service device onboarding.
Furthermore, the access points offer features for better and more accurate location services, such as support for a new WiFi location standard for location-aware services that are accurate to within one meter.
Another feature in this area is support for the IEEE 802.11az standard to enable one’s own location networks, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. Then, there is а GNSS receiver, a barometric sensor for mapping floors, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.4 technology.
AI has made the access points much more energy efficient and uses a dynamic power-saving mode. The HPE Aruba Networking 700 Series Access Points are available starting in July and have a limited lifetime warranty.
Also read: HPE gives Aruba Central more GenAI features with new LLMs