The AP5020 is an ExtremeCloud IQ-managed1
, premium-tier Wi-Fi 7 access point
(AP) that delivers enhanced wireless experiences, faster speeds, and a range of
use cases. This AP is built on Extreme Universal Platform technology, enabling
deployment flexibility, and it leverages ExtremeCloud IQ AIOps management to
provide improved user experiences.
The AP5020 Wi-Fi 7 AP, with three 4x4:4 radios, provides high-efficiency, highperformance 802.11be aggregate data rates of up to 20 Gbps in the 6 GHz, 5 GHz, and 2.4 GHz bands. Designed for high density environments, such as schools, warehouses, healthcare facilities, and stadiums, the AP5020 is powerful and intelligent enough to provide the highest level of client services without compromising security. Despite advanced capabilities, the AP5020 can operate with fully featured performance
capabilities using 802.3bt PoE, simplifying power capacity planning.
With more users, more devices, more applications, and more threats straining the
infrastructure, the AP5020 was engineered to meet those challenges. The AP5020
combines powerful 802.11be Wi-Fi 7 technology, advanced security, and AIOps
management capabilities together as an enterprise-class solution that allows you to
deploy high speed, highly secure Wi-Fi into high-density environments.
Unlike other APs that scan only part time, the AP5020 features a dedicated 2x2
tri-frequency sensor that monitors for rogue devices full time, eliminating the risk of
vulnerability and attacks. This tri-radio AP is capable of multiple operational modes,
optimizing for maximum performance and security, and features additional dual IoT
radios, removing complexity by supporting multiple simultaneous IoT use cases.
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) Technology
Previous generations of Wi-Fi introduced the 6GHz band for unlicensed
operation, increasing the available spectrum by up to 1,200 MHz*, which
is three times that of the existing usable spectrum. The 6 GHz band
enables improved quality of service (QoS) in dense environments, new
applications and use cases, and an improved user experience. Wi-Fi 7
(802.11be) introduces additional benefits across the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6
GHz bands with reduced latency and jitter for time-sensitive networking
applications. Wi-Fi 7 capabilities such as 320 MHz channels, 4K-QAM, and
Multi-Link Operation (MLO) help enable superior speeds and high-density
performance.
AIOps Management
In conjunction with Extreme centralized management software, cloud or
on-premises, the AP5020 provides a rich set of data displayed through
widgets, representing enhanced historical data or a combination of
historical and current data. This provides context-specific granularity with
perspective views for locations, network, APs, individual client devices, and
policy roles. In each context, administrators can make a widget library.
ExtremeCloud IQ CoPilot leverages Explainable Machine Learning (ML)
insights and recommendations to help improve user experiences.
Software-Defined Radios
The AP5020 features the industry’s first software-defined Wi-Fi 7 AP that
supports not only dual 5 GHz and dual 6 GHz capabilities, but also
multiple additional software programmable modes to optimally manage
radios to provide the highest level of client performance. The AP5020
is a tri-radio AP that can transmit with multiple combinations of three
data radios across the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands in addition to
a dedicated tri-frequency sensor. The AP5020 intelligently monitors the
software-configurable radios, enabling network managers to configure
network RF technology based on the user environment and to configure
the APs in different modes as required. The AP5020 features superior
tri-frequency radio performance with a multiband filter that reduces
interference and enables 5 GHz and 6 GHz operation across all available
channels without restrictions.
Security
The AP5020 delivers the highest level of security services, beginning with
support for the latest Wi-Fi Alliance WPA3 security certifications. The
AP5020 can act as an enforcement point for ExtremeCloud Universal
ZTNA to provide seamless policy enforcement. Leveraging Extreme Fabric
Attach securely automates provisioning and deployment by connecting to
a Fabric Connect-enabled switch. Additionally, the AP supports a stateful
L2-L7 DPI firewall for context-based access security, tri-frequency security, a
private pre-shared key (PPSK), a location analytics sensor, and much more.
The AP5020 also includes a unique 2x2 security sensor for rich insights and
threat detection when paired with Extreme AirDefense.
Universal Hardware
The AP5020 is a Universal hardware platform that allows the user to choose
the Wi-Fi operating system (OS). Either the ExtremeCloud IQ Engine OS
or the ExtremeCloud IQ Controller Engine OS persona can be enabled as
required. The desired persona can be selected at startup or changed later.
After the OS persona is selected, the AP5020 assumes the features
or capabilities of the selected OS. When first booted, the AP5020
automatically connects to ExtremeCloud IQ to find its persona. The
preprovisioned OS persona is then remotely enabled on the AP5020
system, eliminating the need for manual selection. As a Universal World
SKU AP, the AP5020 allows customers, partners, and distributors to order
one model for any region where Extreme Networks products are sold,
replacing the age-old problem of country-specific models.
Modern IoT Platform
To support both IoT and guest engagement services, the AP5020 integrates
Bluetooth® to connect with IoT devices wirelessly to engage loyal
customers with Apple iBeacon. Enterprises can use API-driven applications
to send advertisements directly to shoppers, guests, and conference
attendees. This makes it ideal for businesses to advertise their app
download pages, captive portals, or site-specific information. The AP5020
features dual IoT radios, enabling multiple concurrent IoT use cases with
improved performance and reduced complexity.
