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Xirrus Unveils Dual-Radio 802.11ac Access Point for $775

Xirrus today publicly took the wraps off what it described as the lowest cost 802.11ac access point designed for enterprise, the $775 dual-radio Xirrus XR-620 AP.

With the XR-620 AP, both radios support 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies and both 802.11n and 802.11ac standards. It supports data rates of up to 867 Mbps per radio.

"Dual radio 11ac operation enables the XR-620 AP to deliver 30 percent greater 11ac performance compared to 11ac access points on the market today that are limited to only one 802.11ac radio due to their fixed configuration," according to Xirrus. "The XR-620 represents the industry's first 2x2 (two-stream) 802.11ac enterprise solution, capable of 867 Mbps per radio. This represents almost twice the maximum 450 Mbps speed available with 3x3 802.11n, yet the XR-620 is available at a lower price point than today's fastest enterprise 802.11n solutions."

Other features include:

  • ACExpress (for segregating 802.11n and 802.11ac traffic on different radios);
  • Software-programmable radios;
  • Support for up to 240 users;
  • Integrated controller with ArrayOS;
  • Cloud-based or on-premises management;
  • App control for up to 1,200 groups;
  • Support for Apple Bonjour; and
  • Dual gigabit Ethernet ports.

The XR-620 AP is expected to ship this month. Users can purchase an 802.11n version of the unit for $675 and upgrade it for $100 or purchase a pre-configured 802.11ac version for $775. Xirrus also offers the XR-630, a 3 x 3 802.11ac access point.

A (Flash) video demonstrating the new AP can be viewed on Xirrus' site. Additional details can be found at xirrus.com/11ac.

Editor's note: This article has been modified since its original publication to correct a factual error. We previously stated in the headline and throughout the article that this unit costs $675. However, the total cost for the 802.11ac version is $775, either pre-configured for 802.11ac operation or through a $100 upgrade of a $675 802.11n unit. Last modified March 12, 2014, 2:15 p.m. — D.N.

 

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .

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