The next frontier of connectivity

Across every industry, networks are under pressure. AI applications are consuming exponentially more bandwidth than traditional workloads. Device density is surging and experiences increasingly depend on reliable, real-time wireless performance.

As organizations embrace hybrid work, intelligent buildings, and connected operations, wireless networks must now handle unprecedented bandwidth, latency, and security demands.

But AI is more than a challenge—it’s an opportunity. From safer autonomous factories to smarter hospitals and immersive digital campuses, AI-driven innovation depends on fast, trustworthy data exchanges. To realize these opportunities, organizations need networks that are intelligent, secure, and scalable.

The latest Cisco wireless innovations deliver exactly that. IDC recently named Cisco a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Enterprise Wireless LAN 2025 Vendor Assessment—recognition that reflects our commitment to define what enterprise-grade connectivity looks like today. I’m excited to share how our newest advancements—built on three pillars: scalable devices ready for AI, AgenticOps for operational simplicity, and security fused into the network—extend that leadership even further.

Scalable devices ready for AI

The Cisco Wi-Fi 7 portfolio delivers comprehensive coverage for every operational need through a full range of advanced access points and infrastructure solutions. It provides scalable, reliable connectivity across hospitality, education, enterprise campuses, and high-density venues such as stadiums. Built on a foundation of continuous innovation, Cisco continues to raise the bar for wireless performance and scale with flexible management options spanning cloud, on-premises, and hybrid deployments.

We’re now extending this portfolio with new, versatile options engineered for low- to medium-density environments:

• Cisco Wireless 9171 Series Access Points: Providing the flexibility, intelligence, security, and full performance of Wi-Fi 7 without the cost or complexity of high-density infrastructure; designed for low-density environments like classrooms, retail spaces, and small- to mid-sized businesses.
• Cisco Wireless 9174 Series Access Points: Delivering high-speed, reliable connectivity for modern applications that can’t tolerate downtime; designed for demanding environments like healthcare facilities, hospitality, manufacturing floors, and large office campuses. This enterprise-grade access point offers tri-band support (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) with both integrated omnidirectional and external antenna connector models, allowing the CW9174E to adapt to unique coverage scenarios and support mission-critical wireless needs.
• Cisco CW9800-L Wireless Controller: Enabling enterprises in regulated industries like finance, healthcare, and government to modernize their wireless infrastructure while meeting stringent security certifications and compliance requirements. This robust and scalable controller platform delivers the secure, reliable wireless infrastructure that’s essential for critical business functions, seamlessly integrating with Cisco’s broader networking and security ecosystem without compromising performance.

Complementing these devices is the Cisco Campus Gateway, recently recognized with the Wireless Broadband Alliance Wi-Fi Network Technology Award 2025. This enterprise-class, cloud-native solution delivers real-time control and active-active stateful load balancing to ensure seamless roaming at scale—supporting up to 50,000 clients and 5000 access points with cloud management, without requiring network redesign.

This unified infrastructure empowers enterprises to meet evolving connectivity needs with seamless, high-performance, and secure wireless experiences built to handle AI’s unique demands.

AgenticOps for operational simplicity

Cisco is redefining wireless assurance—simplifying radio frequency (RF) and client management, accelerating troubleshooting, and delivering on the promise of AgenticOps. These innovations give IT teams greater visibility and control, allowing them to proactively detect issues, reduce mean time to resolution, (MTTR) and keep users connected with confidence.

Features like Cisco AI-Enhanced Radio Resource Management (AI-RRM), which automatically optimizes radio performance, and Cisco Intelligent Packet Capture, which provides real-time visibility and actionable insights down to the packet level—keep networks performing at their best.

Building on these foundations, we’re introducing new capabilities that further streamline operations and proactively maintain wireless health:

• Roaming health insights: Identify and display roaming issues at the network and location level to accelerate troubleshooting. This feature simplifies visibility into client roaming behavior, providing actionable data that reduces MTTR.
• Client analytics with Zebra integration: Gain native visibility into Zebra devices without requiring extra client software. Zebra joins Apple, Intel, and Samsung in partnering with Cisco to simplify client management by displaying trends and insights at the device and driver level. For instance, in a warehouse environment, network admins can leverage this to track Zebra handheld scanners—including driver and serial number information—to quickly troubleshoot connectivity issues.
• Active testing (currently in beta): Enable on-demand and scheduled tests at the access point to proactively identify network issues. Powered by ThousandEyes, active testing enables network admins to easily pinpoint where issues occur—anywhere from the access point to the cloud. For example, a university campus can run active tests with the access point acting as a client device, helping to detect and resolve network bottlenecks before students experience connectivity problems during peak hours.

Together, these capabilities reduce manual effort, save time, and ensure consistent, reliable experiences across both cloud and on-premises deployments.

Security fused into the network

Security is foundational to everything we build. Cisco goes beyond traditional security measures by integrating it deeply into the network. This includes securing app access for users, things, and agents through solutions like Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), secure access service edge (SASE), and adaptive policy enforcement. Network access is protected with advanced wireless intrusion prevention systems (aWIPS) and Air Marshal, while network connectivity is safeguarded using WPA3, MACSec, and IPsec protocols.

Devices themselves are secured with features such as Cisco Secure Boot (PDF) and Cisco Live Protect. This holistic, multi-layered approach means security is intrinsic, not an add-on. Every component, from device to application, works together to protect data, prevent threats, and enable organizations to confidently scale wireless access in an increasingly complex, AI-driven environment.

Connectivity built for tomorrow

These innovations position Cisco at the forefront of wireless technology, delivering scalable, intelligent, and secure solutions that empower customers to thrive in an increasingly connected world.

Thank you for your continued trust in Cisco as we build the future of wireless together.

Deep within a cutting-edge Planet Farms factory environment, nestled not on sprawling fields but towering upwards in layers, produce is being farmed in tightly controlled conditions. This is where traditional agriculture is being revolutionized, within a highly automated, data-driven, vertical farming model.

“If we want to set new standards in vertical farming, we must start with a radical change of perspective,” says Massimo Mistretta, CISO, Planet Farms. “We want to change the way the world thinks about agriculture.”

Creating efficiency through a seamlessly connected network

The change is to shift from supply-led farming to demand-led. The Planet Farms model is not restricted by seasonal growing cycles, geography, or access to water. For Planet Farms, the work isn’t done by tractors, but by robots moving on the plant and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). This is critical to maintaining the highly efficient processes Planet Farms has developed to grow fresh, nutritious, flavorful food. Robots transport everything from seedlings to harvested produce, ensuring minimal human contact and maximum speed. No soil, no pesticides, and minimal water.

“The customer is the first to open the bag and touch the product,” Mistretta points out. “Everything else is completely automated, from seeding to primary and secondary packaging. The product doesn’t need to be washed; it arrives ready to eat.”

However, keeping everything seamlessly connected posed a challenge. For critical, latency-sensitive communications required by AGVs, a dropped connection or even a pause during handoff could disrupt operations, potentially leading to delays or errors.

Real-time data access through automation

Enter Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB). Planet Farms discovered that URWB was designed precisely for connecting moving assets, providing a level of performance that standard Wi-Fi couldn’t guarantee for its critical operations. URWB offers ultra-reliable, low-latency wireless connectivity with seamless handoffs and zero packet loss, essential for uninterrupted movement of their robots and AGVs.

“Cisco URWB enables our AGVs and 3D cameras to collect data in real time without interruption. This data is vital for advanced agentic AI models to make informed decisions.” – Massimo Mistretta, CISO, Planet Farms

Unlike Wi-Fi, URWB employs a “make before break” roaming mechanism, establishing the connection to the next access point before dropping the connection to the current one. Its Multipath Operations (MPO) technology allows traffic, especially critical data, to be sent to multiple access points simultaneously. This means that even with obstacles and interference common in complex industrial environments, such as a multi-level vertical farm, if one connection is interrupted, the traffic still gets through via another path.

Deploying URWB felt surprisingly familiar to Planet Farms’ existing IT team. The solution is built on 802.11 standards and deploys just like Wi-Fi, making it quick for teams to get connected. Planet Farms now has a wireless network that can finally keep pace with its ambitious automation. The network is then centrally monitored and maintained using tools such as Cisco Industrial Wireless Monitor, providing real-time data and alerts.

“We want to show that vertical farming is not only feasible but can be profitable.” – Massimo Mistretta, CISO, Planet Farms

Innovation and increased sustainability

For Planet Farms, Cisco URWB enables the high level of automation necessary to run its vertical farms efficiently, reducing downtime, complexity, and manual intervention. It supports the precise, sub-millisecond latency needed for AGVs to navigate tightly controlled paths. This technological leap isn’t just about connectivity; it enables Planet Farms’ mission of producing delicious, healthy, and sustainable vegetables without pesticides, minimizing its environmental impact.

By going vertical and embracing technologies like Cisco URWB, Planet Farms is truly shaping the future of agriculture.

Imagine needing to connect a new building, parking lot, or sports field to your network. The vision is clear—but the reality of running fiber? That’s a whole different story. For IT leaders, the cost and complexity of digging, trenching, and laying cables can put projects on indefinite hold – imagine this challenge for cities and school districts working to close the digital divide in underserved and rural communities.

While fiber-optic cable is often considered the gold standard for connectivity, there are a few important factors to consider:

• Time: Projects can be delayed and stretch on for months, as they often require trenching, environmental clearances, and can cause disruption to people in the surrounding area.
• Obstacles: Highways, rivers, graveyards, and historic sites can make traditional cabling nearly impossible.
• Cost: Expenses can range from $1 to $6 per foot. Urban projects may reach $40,000–$80,000 per mile, while rural deployments often higher due to difficult terrain and lengthy permitting.

Wireless backhaul provides a compelling alternative to physical cabling, using high-capacity wireless links to connect access points and extend network reach where fiber or copper would be too costly or time-consuming. Unlike traditional wired infrastructure, wireless backhaul can be deployed rapidly with minimal disruption, making it ideal for expanding connectivity to parking lots, adjacent building areas, or even entire communities and rural regions.

By addressing common cabling challenges—such as high costs, lengthy installation times, and geographic obstacles—wireless backhaul enables agile, scalable network expansion for everything from smart cities and industrial automation to community internet access. The result is connectivity that is faster, more affordable, and far more inclusive.

Cisco’s access points make it easy for you to use URWB as a backhaul technology to extend your network and Wi-Fi for end-user access simultaneously. This means when you need to extend Wi-Fi to a new location, a single remote access point is all you need—simplifying installation, reducing hardware costs, and accelerating deployment.

Did you know? Cisco’s access points can simultaneously extend your network with URWB and deliver Wi-Fi access simultaneously—so extending your network is now even easier.

Let’s explore three practical use cases URWB helps you connect farther, faster, and smarter.

1. Bring Wi-Fi Where You Never Thought Possible. Whether you’re overseeing a university campus, healthcare complex, or corporate HQ, your network often needs to reach places fiber just can’t go—at least not easily or affordably. Think parking lots, outdoor event spaces, or new temporary structures. With Cisco access points, you can quickly bridge these gaps— extending your network with URWB and enabling seamless Wi-Fi for students, employees, or guests wherever they need it. Deployment is fast and flexible, with access points installed on rooftops, light poles, or existing infrastructure—no digging required.

2. Extend Physical Security Beyond the Building. Modern security requires eyes everywhere. But placing cameras at the perimeter of a facility, near parking areas, or covering outdoor assets can be cost-prohibitive if you rely on trenching cable. With URWB, you can connect cameras and sensors across your property—delivering the bandwidth and reliability you’d expect from fiber, without the cost or delay. This is ideal for campus perimeters, athletic fields, or remote storage areas within your grounds.

3. Quickly Connect Communities, New or Temporary Buildings. Need to bring connectivity to a modular classroom, event tent, or a newly built annex? Or maybe extend connectivity to under connected neighborhoods? Running fiber might not be practical—or possible on short notice. URWB lets you set up high-performance links in days, not weeks, helping you adapt to changing needs. Cisco URWB empowers communities to bridge these gaps—connecting city buildings, libraries, or distant school campuses with robust, scalable wireless links, Wi-Fi can be enabled in the access point to provide access to end-user devices. This flexibility makes it ideal for temporary classrooms, construction trailers, or pop-up health clinics on your property.

Real-world solutions

Organizations are putting these ideas to work—right now:

Canutillo Independent School District, Texas

“We needed to extend reliable connectivity to our athletic fields and remote campus buildings, and traditional fiber just wasn’t feasible. With Cisco’s wireless backhaul, we connected every corner of our district—quickly and cost-effectively.”
— Gary Gomez, Executive Director of Technology, Canutillo ISD

City of Fort Worth

“We saved substantial time and money by deploying Cisco’s wireless backhaul instead of running new fiber. The reliability and performance exceeded our expectations, even in challenging urban environments.”
— Kevin Gunn, Chief Technology Officer, City of Fort Worth

Break Connectivity Barriers—No Cables Required

Cisco’s URWB isn’t about replacing every fiber run—it’s about giving IT leaders the flexibility to extend networks where it matters most, when it matters most. With enterprise-grade reliability, simple deployment, and the ability to scale as your needs grow, Cisco URWB helps you rapidly extend your network wherever you need.

Cisco access points supporting both Wi-Fi and URWB simultaneously offer:

• Rapid deployment: No cabling, no delays—just a clear path and power at each access point
• Rock-solid reliability: Backhaul technology engineered for mission-critical applications.
• Flexible coverage: Extend your network exactly where you need it within your property.
• Cost savings and simplified operations: One access point delivers both wireless backhaul and Wi-Fi, streamlining deployment and management.

If you’re ready to expand your network faster, more affordably, and with greater flexibility—learn more about Cisco URWB.

[For figures/illustrations please refer to the original post HERE]

There’s a great deal of talk around the capability of Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) to revolutionize the wireless experience. It’s not hype. A key feature that delivers this transformative impact is multi-link operation (MLO). A mandatory and defining component of 802.11be, MLO enables a multi-link device (MLD) to simultaneously operate across multiple frequency bands, including 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz.

Access point (AP) and non-AP MLDs learn each other’s MLO parameters and capabilities through the multi-link information elements exchanged in frames like Beacons and Association Request/Response. In this blog, I’ll illustrate MLO’s impact on wireless connectivity and show you how it works in simultaneous transfer/receive (STR) mode.

How does multi-link operation (MLO) enhance wireless connectivity?

MLO introduces significant benefits for a variety of use cases. Key enhancements include:

• Simultaneous use of multiple bands. MLDs can transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) data over more than one band at the same time. This is useful in environments with heavy congestion, as it avoids interference on any single band.
• Improved throughput. MLO leverages the combined capacity of multiple channels across different bands to enable higher aggregate throughput. This makes Wi-Fi 7 ideal for bandwidth-heavy applications like video streaming, virtual reality, and online gaming.
• Reduced latency. By offloading traffic across multiple channels. This is particularly useful in gaming, video conferencing, or other apps that require real-time communication.
• Better reliability and robustness. If one band (for example, 2.4 GHz) experiences congestion, then station (STA) MLDs can seamlessly switch to a less congested band (such as 6 GHz) without dropping the connection. This is extremely helpful in spaces with busy radio frequency (RF) traffic, such as stadiums, apartments, and offices.

Type of MLO operation modes

Wi-Fi 7 defines several single and multi-radio MLO modes, with stations able to support these modes based on their respective hardware capabilities. Various software thresholds—such as bandwidth requirements, band preferences, RF congestion, and QoS—will influence and guide a station’s choice of operating mode.

Among these modes, MLSR is required to be supported by all AP and non-AP MLDs. Support for EMLSR and STR modes is mandatory for AP MLDs, but optional for non-AP MLDs (stations). STR is currently incorporated by most vendors, making this mode an excellent starting place for dissection.

MLO’s STR mode in action

In STR operation, each link can be used to Tx or Rx concurrent physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs) without any synchronization. Figure 2 illustrates an example where an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD are operating over an STR link pair. Both devices contend for access to the wireless medium and engage in subsequent frame exchanges on those links.

After the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD complete a multi-link setup to successfully establish link 1 and link 2, and with the links enabled, AP 2 can receive data frames from STA 2 on link 2. Meanwhile, AP 1 contends for the wireless medium and, upon securing a transmit opportunity (TXOP), transmits data frames to STA 1 on link 1.

Next, let’s conduct a lab test using Cisco’s CW9178I AP running on Catalyst 9800 Wireless LAN controller (WLC) to demonstrate STR in action.

The access point under test (APUT) is configured to operate on 2.4 GHz (20 MHz) and 5 GHz (40 MHz) bandwidths with a WPA3-SAE WLAN. In the first step of the test, Wi-Fi 7/802.11be/MLO is enabled on both bands. We are using a Qualcomm 7800-based STR/MLMR-capable station, while the CW9178I AP serves as the sniffer—capable of capturing data across multiple bands and decoding Wi-Fi 7 frames.

Next, let’s associate the STAUT and check the capability details in both the WLC and Wireshark. During the association process, multiple elements are exchanged: the MLO information elements for the 5 GHz Association link, as well as the “Per-STA Profiles” information elements containing details about the non-association link (2 GHz).

The WLC identifies the STA as STR capable if the “Maximum Number of Simultaneous Links” value in the ML information element of the association request is non-zero. This indicates the number of radios the station is using for its association. See Figure 4 below for the corresponding Wireshark capture.

Figure 4 – STR capability in Association Request

The Catalyst 9800 WLC provides a clear display of the STA’s 802.11be capabilities, including MLD links with Slot IDs and bands, MLO mode support (STR/eMLSR), and Tx/Rx RF and data statistics for each band. Equivalent CLI commands are also available, though not covered in this blog.

Now that the STA has associated on the 5G band with an STR link to both the 5G and 2G bands, let’s initiate traffic for one minute to verify STR operation. Using the IxChariot server, we will begin full-bandwidth Downlink UDP traffic. Initially, traffic will flow only on the 5G band, as it is the only active association link. However, the STA will soon assess the need for a secondary link to achieve higher bandwidth. It will then send a QoS Null data frame over the secondary (2G) link. The AP acknowledges this request and enables simultaneous data transmission across both bands.

Figure 6 shows the sequence starting with data on channel 36, followed by a QoS Null data frame on channel 6, and concluding with simultaneous data transmission on both channel 6 and channel 36.

The Catalyst 9800 WLC offers a comprehensive view of the client’s performance on each MLO link, with monitors providing detailed Tx/Rx data along with RF statistics.

Following the one-minute traffic run, the average throughput measured is 747 Mbps, as shown in Figure 8.

To provide a comparison, the test was repeated under the same conditions, but with 802.11be/MLO disabled, running in 802.11ax mode instead. The average throughput was 506 Mbps.

The table below summarizes the throughput comparison between clients. The impact is indeed transformative: Wi-Fi 7 with STR MLO significantly outperforms Wi-Fi 6, delivering a 47% throughput increase, along with more efficient spectrum utilization.

The CW9178I, CW9176I, and CW9176D1 APs, along with 9800 series wireless controllers, will fully support Wi-Fi 7 capabilities and features from IOS XE 17.15.2 onward.

Even in demanding, high-density environments, Wi-Fi 7 delivers speed, efficiency, and rock-solid reliability. At the crux of this breakthrough in wireless connectivity is the Multiple Resource Unit (MRU) feature and the way that Wi-Fi 7 integrates MRU to augment the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) framework.

Originally introduced in Wi-Fi 6, OFDMA enables dynamic allocation and independent modulation of subcarriers across frequency resources, facilitating concurrent transmissions to multiple client devices. In this blog, we illustrate how MRU advances this methodology by implementing refined interference suppression mechanisms and optimizing multi-user scheduling.

How does Multiple Resource Unit (MRU) impact efficiency in wireless connectivity?

By selectively excising interfered spectral segments, MRU ensures that transmissions are confined to interference-free subchannels, thereby maximizing effective throughput and link reliability in congested radio frequency (RF) environments. One way to visualize this is to imagine a busy freeway where each vehicle represents a data packet. OFDMA, as introduced in Wi-Fi 6, is like redesigning the highway with multiple lanes that allow many cars to travel side by side, each heading to its own destination. Now, with MRU in Wi-Fi 7, it’s as if the highway can intelligently guide vehicles into express lanes to further reduce congestion and ensure a smooth journey for all—even in heavy traffic.

This optimization is accomplished through punctured resource units (RUs), which are structured aggregations of 78.125 kHz-wide subcarriers. These individual RUs are assigned to different stations, allowing wireless access points to serve each of them simultaneously during uplink and downlink transmissions. MRU is in effect when many RUs are assigned to a single user. This allows for the aggregation of RUs of varying sizes to better match data transmission needs.

MRU configurations are classified into small (< 242) and large (> 242). Small MRU configurations include 52+26-tone and 106+26-tone groupings, wherein “tone” denotes the subcarrier or small frequency segment into which the available spectrum is divided. Large MRU configurations comprise combinations such as 484+242-tone, 996+484-tone, 996+484+242-tone, 2×996+484-tone, 3×996-tone, and 2×996+484-tone.

This results in more efficient user allocation and bandwidth utilization. For instance, in 11ax with a 20 MHz channel (totaling 242 tones), when two clients each use 106 tones, the total utilization is (106×2)/242 = ~88%. In contrast with Wi-Fi 7, if one client is assigned RU106 and another is allocated MRU106+26, the total utilization increases to (106×2+26)/242 = ~98%.

Evaluating Wi-Fi 7’s MRU feature

To conduct this evaluation, we used a Cisco Wireless 9178I Access Point connected to a Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) running firmware version 17.15.2. The 9800 Series provides centralized control and greater visibility over traffic segmentation, user access, and security. The test environment consists of 4x Wi-Fi 7 and 4x Wi-Fi 5 stations (STAs). This diverse mix allows us to assess how different wireless standards handle congestion and latency.

To put MRU to the test, we simulate a high-traffic scenario on each bandwidth.

We generate user datagram protocol (UDP) full buffer traffic, creating network congestion by continuously pushing data to the access point on Wi-Fi 5 STAs. This replicates a real-world environment where multiple devices compete for bandwidth, allowing us to analyze the impact of MRU on latency. We then generate 750 Kbps real-time transport protocol (RTP) downlink and uplink traffic streams, mimicking real-time applications like voice and video streaming.

Measuring latency: OFDMA vs. OFDMA+MRU performance

To quantify performance improvements, we measure latency in milliseconds (ms) across three different configurations or combinations of channel bandwidth:

• Non-OFDMA mode: Traditional Wi-Fi scheduling without frequency partitioning
• Wi-Fi 6 OFDMA: Optimizes resource allocation
• Wi-Fi 7 OFDMA+MRU: Allows flexible frequency allocation

Even with just four MRU-capable STAs, we consistently observe lower latency in both downlink and uplink directions. The improvements reach approximately 55% in downlink and 48% in uplink when using a 320 MHz channel.

Enhancing connectivity and eliminating blind spots with MRU

MRU revolutionizes next-generation wireless connectivity by boosting efficiency, increasing speed, and ensuring enhanced reliability—even in high-density environments such as offices, airports, and stadiums, as well as IoT networks with cameras and sensors. By complementing 5G, it strengthens indoor wireless connectivity where 5G signals may be weaker. Additionally, MRU unlocks seamless experiences for applications requiring ultra-low latency, including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and cloud gaming.

All Cisco Wi-Fi 7 access points, including CW9178I and CW9176I, along with Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers, fully support multi-RU functionality starting with the IOS XE 17.15.2 release—and provide centralized control for greater visibility, faster troubleshooting, and ease of management.

Picture this: A robotic inspection vehicle speeds along the production line. Its cameras scan every component, transmitting high-definition video in real time. Suddenly, it detects a microscopic crack in a crucial part—something invisible to the human eye. Instantly, its onboard AI flags the defect and alerts the central control system to halt the process, preventing a costly recall and ensuring only perfect products leave the factory.

Now, imagine if that robot’s wireless connection dropped for just a split second as it crossed the factory floor. The video feed freezes, the defect goes undetected, and a faulty part slips through. The cost? Potential downtime, rework, or even reputational damage.

In modern manufacturing, this isn’t science fiction. Companies like BMW and Samsung Electronics are already deploying vision-enabled mobile robots and AI-powered inspection systems to automate quality assurance on the move. For these systems, connectivity is as critical as electricity—any interruption can mean missed defects, lost productivity, or compromised safety.

This isn’t just about productivity or product quality—safety is also at stake. If a robot or AGV loses its network connection, it will typically stop immediately to prevent accidents—a necessary safety measure, but one that can halt the entire production line. In environments where heavy AGVs and mobile robots operate alongside human workers, reliable network connections are crucial not only for smooth operations, but also to ensure that real-time safety systems—such as proximity alerts and emergency stop signals—continue to function as intended. If connectivity is lost, these alerts may be delayed or interrupted, increasing potential safety risks on the factory floor.

The Common Thread: Mobility and Data-Hungriness

What do today’s most advanced manufacturing devices have in common? They move—fast and unpredictably—and they generate and consume enormous amounts of data. For example:

• Mobile robots patrol the floor, using cameras and AI to detect defects or safety hazards, requiring real-time video streaming and instant feedback.
• Automated inspection vehicles scan parts with high-definition imaging, sending gigabits of data per hour to edge AI models that spot tiny flaws invisible to the human eye.
• Heavy-weight collaborative robots shift between workstations, working in close proximity to humans, continuously collecting and processing proximity data to trigger instant alerts and avoid accidents—any lapse in connectivity could mean a missed warning and a potential safety incident.

Why Wi-Fi Alone Isn’t Enough

Traditional Wi-Fi has served factories well for general-purpose connectivity, but it wasn’t engineered for the demands of these new, highly mobile, mission-critical devices. The challenge isn’t just about speed—it’s about ultra-low latency, seamless handoffs, and rock-solid  reliability. In many industrial environments, Wi-Fi can struggle with:

• Lost connections as devices move between access points or through RF-challenged areas
• Latency spikes that delay real-time decision-making
• Interference from machinery, metal structures, or high device density

Enter Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB): The Perfect Complement to Wi-Fi

To meet the needs of modern manufacturing, a new class of wireless—engineered specifically for mobility, low latency, and reliability—is required. URWB is designed for just this purpose. URWB provides:

• Near-zero latency (less than 10 ms) for real-time control and feedback
• Uninterrupted handoffs as devices move throughout the facility
• Performance comparable to private 5G but using unlicensed spectrum avoiding costs and complexities of spectrum management.

URWB is integrated into many of Cisco’s Wi-Fi 7, 6E, and 6 wireless access points, allowing manufacturers to run Wi-Fi and URWB side-by-side on the same device. This means both general-purpose and mission-critical applications can be supported—without adding new infrastructure or complexity.

Cisco’s Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB) is specifically designed to deliver deterministic, high-bandwidth connectivity in environments with heavy mobile assets and dense interference. By ensuring that safety-critical data and alerts flow instantly, URWB enables factories to enforce dynamic safety zones, trigger automatic slowdowns or stops, and provide workers with real-time warnings when machines approach. In real-world deployments, this level of reliability isn’t just a technical upgrade—it’s a foundational requirement for protecting both people and equipment.

Smarter Design for Modern Manufacturing: Introducing the Industrial Automation Wireless Design Guide

Deploying next-generation wireless for industrial automation isn’t just about choosing the right technology—it’s about designing your network for reliability, security, and performance from the ground up.

That’s where our new Industrial Automation Wireless Design Guide comes in, providing you with a comprehensive, practical resource developed by experts to help you plan, deploy, and optimize your wireless network for Industrial Automation Control Systems (IACS). Specifically created for manufacturing and industrial environments and distills best practices, real-world lessons, and detailed technical recommendations into an actionable blueprint you can follow. Inside you will find:

• Clear explanations of key use cases for wireless in industrial automation, including mobile robots, real-time monitoring, and machine-to-machine communications.
• Detailed design guidelines for integrating Wi-Fi and URWB, ensuring seamless and resilient connectivity for both general-purpose and mission-critical applications.
• Reference architectures that illustrate proven network designs to support modern manufacturing workflows.
• Deployment best practices and configuration tips to help you achieve reliable, high-performance wireless in challenging industrial settings.

With this guide, you can move forward confidently—knowing you have a blueprint built on industry expertise and real-world deployments.

The Bottom Line

The future of manufacturing depends on the ability to connect a new generation of mobile, intelligent devices—securely, reliably, and with ultra-low latency. Wi-Fi remains essential, but it needs a specialized companion: URWB. Together, they unlock new applications, new efficiencies, and new possibilities for your factory.

Ready to see what uninterrupted motion and smarter wireless can do for your operations? Dive into our Industrial Automation Wireless Design Guide to get started, or explore our solution overview to learn more.

Even in demanding, high-density environments, Wi-Fi 7 delivers speed, efficiency, and rock-solid reliability. At the crux of this breakthrough in wireless connectivity is the Multiple Resource Unit (MRU) feature and the way that Wi-Fi 7 integrates MRU to augment the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) framework.

Originally introduced in Wi-Fi 6, OFDMA enables dynamic allocation and independent modulation of subcarriers across frequency resources, facilitating concurrent transmissions to multiple client devices. In this blog, we illustrate how MRU advances this methodology by implementing refined interference suppression mechanisms and optimizing multi-user scheduling.

How does Multiple Resource Unit (MRU) impact efficiency in wireless connectivity?

By selectively excising interfered spectral segments, MRU ensures that transmissions are confined to interference-free subchannels, thereby maximizing effective throughput and link reliability in congested radio frequency (RF) environments. One way to visualize this is to imagine a busy freeway where each vehicle represents a data packet. OFDMA, as introduced in Wi-Fi 6, is like redesigning the highway with multiple lanes that allow many cars to travel side by side, each heading to its own destination. Now, with MRU in Wi-Fi 7, it’s as if the highway can intelligently guide vehicles into express lanes to further reduce congestion and ensure a smooth journey for all—even in heavy traffic.

This optimization is accomplished through punctured resource units (RUs), which are structured aggregations of 78.125 kHz-wide subcarriers. These individual RUs are assigned to different stations, allowing wireless access points to serve each of them simultaneously during uplink and downlink transmissions. MRU is in effect when many RUs are assigned to a single user. This allows for the aggregation of RUs of varying sizes to better match data transmission needs.

MRU configurations are classified into small (< 242) and large (> 242). Small MRU configurations include 52+26-tone and 106+26-tone groupings, wherein “tone” denotes the subcarrier or small frequency segment into which the available spectrum is divided. Large MRU configurations comprise combinations such as 484+242-tone, 996+484-tone, 996+484+242-tone, 2×996+484-tone, 3×996-tone, and 2×996+484-tone.

This results in more efficient user allocation and bandwidth utilization. For instance, in 11ax with a 20 MHz channel (totaling 242 tones), when two clients each use 106 tones, the total utilization is (106×2)/242 = ~88%. In contrast with Wi-Fi 7, if one client is assigned RU106 and another is allocated MRU106+26, the total utilization increases to (106×2+26)/242 = ~98%.

Evaluating Wi-Fi 7’s MRU feature

To conduct this evaluation, we used a Cisco Wireless 9178I Access Point connected to a Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) running firmware version 17.15.2. The 9800 Series provides centralized control and greater visibility over traffic segmentation, user access, and security. The test environment consists of 4x Wi-Fi 7 and 4x Wi-Fi 5 stations (STAs). This diverse mix allows us to assess how different wireless standards handle congestion and latency.

To put MRU to the test, we simulate a high-traffic scenario on each bandwidth.

We generate user datagram protocol (UDP) full buffer traffic, creating network congestion by continuously pushing data to the access point on Wi-Fi 5 STAs. This replicates a real-world environment where multiple devices compete for bandwidth, allowing us to analyze the impact of MRU on latency. We then generate 750 Kbps real-time transport protocol (RTP) downlink and uplink traffic streams, mimicking real-time applications like voice and video streaming.

Measuring latency: OFDMA vs. OFDMA+MRU performance

To quantify performance improvements, we measure latency in milliseconds (ms) across three different configurations or combinations of channel bandwidth:

• Non-OFDMA mode: Traditional Wi-Fi scheduling without frequency partitioning
• Wi-Fi 6 OFDMA: Optimizes resource allocation
• Wi-Fi 7 OFDMA+MRU: Allows flexible frequency allocation

Even with just four MRU-capable STAs, we consistently observe lower latency in both downlink and uplink directions. The improvements reach approximately 55% in downlink and 48% in uplink when using a 320 MHz channel.

Enhancing connectivity and eliminating blind spots with MRU

MRU revolutionizes next-generation wireless connectivity by boosting efficiency, increasing speed, and ensuring enhanced reliability—even in high-density environments such as offices, airports, and stadiums, as well as IoT networks with cameras and sensors. By complementing 5G, it strengthens indoor wireless connectivity where 5G signals may be weaker. Additionally, MRU unlocks seamless experiences for applications requiring ultra-low latency, including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and cloud gaming.

All Cisco Wi-Fi 7 access points, including CW9178I and CW9176I, along with Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers, fully support multi-RU functionality starting with the IOS XE 17.15.2 release—and provide centralized control for greater visibility, faster troubleshooting, and ease of management.

Businesses today rely on robust, secure, and agile network infrastructures to power their operations and maintain a competitive edge. For global food and beverage leader Nestlé, addressing the limitations of legacy systems was critical to achieving these goals. By overhauling its network infrastructure with Cisco SD-WAN, Nestlé unlocked improved resiliency, agility, operational efficiency, and centralized control across 1700 offices, factories, and warehouses in 185 countries.

A recent Cisco webinar featuring special guest speaker Giovanni di Marzio, Senior Solution Architect, WAN – Connectivity, ITP C&V for Nestlé, explored the challenges Nestlé faced, the Cisco SD-WAN solution it adopted, and the transformative outcomes that enabled the company to future-proof its network and enhance its overall operational performance.

Click here to watch the on-demand webinar featuring Nestlé.

Navigating legacy network roadblocks

Nestlé’s IT team is tasked with managing a vast and complex global network that spans branch offices, manufacturing facilities, data centers, and cloud environments. However, several key obstacles have hindered their ability to scale, optimize performance, and deliver a seamless digital experience, including:

• High costs of MPLS links
  Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) links were integral to Nestlé’s legacy network infrastructure. However, they came with significant operational costs that made scalability difficult and modern network optimization nearly impossible.
• Fragmented and inefficient tools
  The complexity of managing a fragmented network infrastructure with disparate tools created many inefficiencies. They not only reduced operational agility but also complicated troubleshooting and day-to-day network management.
• Limited visibility into network performance
  A lack of visibility into multiple cloud and internet providers made it challenging to troubleshoot issues and ensure optimal performance for cloud applications.
• Security and compliance challenges
  In certain regions, security and compliance requirements added another layer of complexity. Policy-based routing and centralized compliance controls were necessary to address these challenges effectively.

Faced with these hurdles, Nestlé recognized that a modern approach was essential to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and meet the needs of a digitally driven enterprise.

The solution: An innovative suite of networking technologies from Cisco

Nestlé adopted Cisco SD-WAN paired with Cisco ThousandEyes and Cisco 8000 Series Secure Routers that together are designed to enhance connectivity, digital experience, security, and automation. This strategic move enabled the company to manage its global network with greater efficiency and resilience.

The technologies that transformed Nestlé’s network include:

• Cisco SD-WAN
  Cisco SD-WAN provides a cost-effective and simplified solution that features a multi-region fabric (MRF) and a software-defined approach to managing WAN traffic. With this technology, Nestlé gained performance optimization, resilience, and efficiency across its WAN.
• Cisco ThousandEyes
  Cisco ThousandEyes offers a holistic view of digital experiences across Nestlé’s entire service delivery chain. This provides Nestlé with real-time visibility into internet paths and the performance of cloud and data center connections, enabling faster troubleshooting and optimization.
• Cisco 8000 Series Secure Routers
  Packed with next-generation security capabilities, Cisco 8000 Series Secure Routers feature AI-powered automation, post-quantum cryptography, and seamless cloud management. These routers have helped future-proof Nestlé’s WAN, ensuring it can adapt to evolving security and connectivity needs.

Transforming and unifying network operations

The adoption of Cisco SD-WAN with Cisco ThousandEyes has yielded remarkable results for Nestlé, driving significant improvements in both network performance and manageability.

Key outcomes for Nestlé include:

• Centralized and simplified control
  With Cisco SD-WAN, Nestlé IT gained the ability to manage branch offices, data centers, and cloud environments through a single dashboard. This eliminates the need for multiple point tools and has reduced the complexity of network management.
• Enhanced cost efficiencies
  By replacing expensive MPLS links with a centrally managed SD-WAN and network-as-a-service model, Nestlé significantly reduced leased line and operational costs. This shift to a more cost-effective infrastructure supports scalability and long-term savings.
• End-to-end network visibility
  Cisco ThousandEyes empowers Nestlé with real-time views into internet paths and network performance. This allows the IT team to proactively address issues, optimize cloud app performance, and ensure a seamless digital experience.
• High availability and performance improvements
  Automated failover and redundancy mechanisms have improved network reliability, ensuring 99.97% availability. Additionally, Nestlé now enjoys a lower incidence of latency, reduced disruptions, and overall enhanced performance across its global network.

A unified vision for the future

Nestlé’s transformation journey highlights how modern, transformative network technologies drive agility, efficiency, and resilience. By adopting Cisco SD-WAN, Cisco ThousandEyes, and secure routers, the company has not only addressed its immediate challenges but also positioned itself for future success in a connected world.

When describing the impact of the company’s network transformation, di Marzio said,

“Cisco SD-WAN provides internet connectivity without any limitations. And instead of looking at every log for two thousand routers, we have a single dashboard to manage the network and a centralized platform for orchestrating configurations across all Nestlé sites.”

This centralized approach has empowered Nestlé to streamline its operations, optimize costs, and deliver a seamless digital experience to its global workforce and customers.

A blueprint for modern enterprises

Nestlé’s network transformation serves as a blueprint for other enterprises grappling with the limitations of legacy systems. The company’s decision to embrace Cisco SD-WAN demonstrates how modern technologies can simplify network management, reduce costs, and enhance performance—all while ensuring security and compliance.

For organizations looking to future-proof their network infrastructure, Nestlé’s journey underscores the importance of embracing innovation and partnering with trusted technology providers like Cisco. By doing so, businesses can unlock the full potential of their network and thrive in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

Ultimately, Nestlé’s story is about more than just technology—it’s about aligning IT strategy with business goals to achieve operational excellence. Nestlé’s success is a testament to the power of innovation and a forward-looking vision for operational excellence.

It is estimated that there are 20 million shipping containers in transit, right now. In 2023, approximately 2.2 billion metric tons of cargo were shipped globally in containers, with the largest cargo being able to carry more than 24,000 containers. 

Container ports are engines of regional growth, gateways to unlock industrial capacity. For port operators, and the local economies that rely on them, there is economic advantage in being able to unload and distribute containers quickly and efficiently. 

It is a process that has become increasingly digital. While the containers may remain unchanged, rectangular boxes made of Corten steel with a marine-grade plywood floor, their movements are now governed by robotic cranes, autonomous vehicles, optical recognition and IoT sensors.  

It is not enough for port operators to boast of having deep water access, modern rail links and miles of berthing. This counts for little without a solid network infrastructure. 

Everything Connects to the Network 

With an annual capacity of two million TEU, DP World Evyap is vital to the Turkish economy. Its location, on the Sea of Marmara, connecting the Black Sea to the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, is a crucial waterway for international trade.  

“Any glitch in the network can create bottlenecks,” says Gokhan Erbas, IT Director, DP World Türkiye, and the man charged with overseeing the network upgrade of one of Türkiye’s most important ports. 

DP World terminals currently manage 10 percent of Türkiye’s total container throughput. DP World plans to increase capacity and extend the quayside at Evyap. A reliable pervasive wireless network is a critical first step.  

The 265,000sqm site had suffered from gaps in network connectivity. This hampered efficiency and created a lack of trust in digital applications. Erbas says the wireless network upgrade was vital for efficient operations and growth.  

Eliminating Connectivity Dead Zones  

Today, Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB) covers the site with robust dependable connectivity, eliminating dead zones and restoring faith in digital workflows. Cisco URWB enables the smooth running of the Terminal Operating System (TOS), the lifeblood of any modern port. 

The Evyap TOS manages everything from vessel schedules to gate access, storage planning to documentation. In an environment where over 150+ trucks are in constant motion, even a momentary network failure could have ripple effects across the global supply chain. Thanks to Cisco URWB’s zero-packet-loss architecture and ultra-low latency, DP World Evyap now operates with uninterrupted connectivity—ensuring real-time decision-making, accelerated automation, and seamless logistics flow. 

Engineering a Network for the World’s Most Demanding Port Environments 

Deploying ultra-reliable connectivity in an industrial port setting was a complex challenge. DP World Evyap’s dynamic operations demanded a resilient network infrastructure capable of overcoming the industry’s toughest conditions. Dense steel container stacks caused RF signal disruptions, requiring a solution that ensured uninterrupted communication. Extreme environmental factors, including temperatures exceeding 40°C, necessitated a system designed for seamless operation in harsh conditions. High-dust and high-moisture environments further emphasized the need for an ultra-durable and future-proof wireless infrastructure. 

By leveraging Cisco URWB, DP World Evyap has established a cutting-edge network that not only enhances operational efficiency but also reduces maintenance costs, strengthens security, and delivers an unparalleled user experience. 

“Seamless connectivity is everything,” Erbas says. “Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul means operational efficiency, stronger security, lower maintenance costs and better experience for network users.” 

For Evyap – Körfez, better global connections start with better local connections.  

DP World Evyap in figures 

• 265,000sqm site  
• 2 million TEU capacity 
• 1.1m tons of liquid bulk handling capacity 
• Summer temperatures > 40°C 
• 150+ trucks on site at any time