Executive Summary

The HPE Aruba AP656 is a Wi-Fi 6E access point designed to provide high-performance wireless connectivity for enterprise environments. With its tri-radio design and support for the 6 GHz band, the AP656 offers improved capacity, reduced congestion, and enhanced security features. In this article, we will delve into the architecture and design of the AP656, its performance and thermal characteristics, and its market positioning.

The AP656 is part of the HPE Aruba 600 series access points, which are designed to take advantage of the 6 GHz band using three 4x4 MIMO radios for comprehensive tri-band coverage. This design meets the growing demands of Wi-Fi due to increased use of video, growth in client and IoT devices, and expanded use of cloud services. The AP656 also features HPE Aruba's ClientMatch technology, which removes sticky client issues by steering a client to the AP where it receives one of the best radio signals.

Architecture & Design

The HPE Aruba AP656 features a tri-radio design, with three 4x4 MIMO radios that operate in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands. This design provides comprehensive tri-band coverage and supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard. The AP656 also features a built-in hardware support for a wide range of IoT protocols, such as Zigbee and Bluetooth, or through dual USB interfaces.

The AP656 is managed by HPE Aruba Networking Central, which eliminates the need to deploy an IoT network overlay. This management platform provides real-time visibility into the health and behavior of the access points, as well as enhanced security features such as threat detection and response. The AP656 also supports HPE Aruba's AirMatch technology, which provides automated RF management and optimization.

In terms of its underlying engineering, the AP656's tri-radio design is based on a complex system of antennas, amplifiers, and signal processing algorithms. The 4x4 MIMO radios use a combination of spatial multiplexing and beamforming to provide high-speed data transfer and improved signal quality. The AP656 also features a robust security architecture, with support for WPA3 encryption, secure boot, and role-based access control.

The AP656's design is also influenced by the underlying physics of Wi-Fi transmission. The 6 GHz band, in particular, offers a number of advantages over the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, including reduced congestion and improved signal quality. However, the 6 GHz band also presents a number of challenges, including higher propagation losses and reduced range. To mitigate these challenges, the AP656 features a number of advanced signal processing algorithms, including beamforming and spatial multiplexing.

Performance & Thermal

The HPE Aruba AP656 provides high-performance wireless connectivity, with a maximum tri-band aggregate data rate of up to 18.7 Gbps. The AP656 also features a number of advanced performance optimization features, including HPE Aruba's ClientMatch technology and AirMatch technology.

In terms of thermal performance, the AP656 is designed to operate in a variety of environments, including high-temperature and high-humidity areas. The AP656 features a robust thermal design, with a number of heat sinks and ventilation channels to help dissipate heat. However, exact thermal performance figures were not publicly disclosed.

The AP656 also features a number of power-saving features, including dynamic frequency scaling and low-power mode. These features help to reduce the AP656's power consumption and minimize its environmental impact. However, exact power consumption figures were not publicly disclosed.

Market Positioning

The HPE Aruba AP656 is positioned as a high-end access point for enterprise environments. The AP656 is designed to provide high-performance wireless connectivity, advanced security features, and robust management capabilities. The AP656 is also designed to be highly scalable, with support for large-scale deployments and complex network topologies.

The AP656 competes with a number of other high-end access points, including the Cisco Meraki MR74 and the Juniper Networks WLC800. However, the AP656's tri-radio design and support for the 6 GHz band provide a number of advantages over these competing products. The AP656 is also backed by HPE Aruba's comprehensive support and services portfolio, which includes 24/7 technical support and advanced security features.