Thank you to our sponsor:

Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo!

What does it take to get started in wireless? You’ll definitely need a lab network. In this episode, we discuss how to get started with building a home lab.

The costs will vary but there is a low cost way to get started and we’ll talk about how to approach it.

We’ll also discuss the applications and tools you’ll need to be successful in becoming an expert Wi-Fi engineer.

The post CTS 373: Building a Home Lab for Wireless Testing appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to our sponsor:

Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo!

In this episode, we dive into the hype surrounding Wi-Fi 7 and help you determine whether it's time to upgrade or if you should hold off. We explore the key improvements Wi-Fi 7 brings to the table—including 320 MHz wide channels, Multi-Link Operation (MLO), 4K QAM, and enhanced security—while examining what these features mean in real-world deployments. The reality is that many environments are still dominated by Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 devices, and most applications haven't yet pushed existing wireless infrastructure to its limits.

We also tackle the practical considerations that come with upgrading, from the total cost of ownership—including new access points, switches, cabling, licensing, and controllers—to the “shiny object” effect that can drive premature investments. Are you really taking advantage of Wi-Fi 7's capabilities, or are you just paying for features your environment won't utilize for years? We discuss the hidden costs and potential pitfalls of being an early adopter.

Finally, we offer practical guidance on when it makes sense to upgrade now versus when you should wait. If you're due for a refresh cycle or have the budget to future-proof your infrastructure, Wi-Fi 7 might be worth considering. However, if your current Wi-Fi 6 or 6E deployment is meeting your needs and your client base consists mostly of older devices, waiting could save you money and help you avoid first-generation bugs. Tune in to get a clear-eyed assessment of where Wi-Fi 7 stands today and what it means for your network strategy.

The post CTS 372: Should You Upgrade to Wi-Fi 7? A Reality Check appeared first on Clear To Send.

We’re happy to have Ali join us on the show today for Wi-Fi Origins. He’s been an active member of the Clear To Send community.

In this episode, he tells us a little bit about himself. Going back in time, Ali talks about getting into IT and his first exposure to Wi-Fi.

There were many mentors along the way. Ali made sure to mention that.

Along the way, Ali grew his Wi-Fi skillset and describes how that was for him and what impact the community and conferences made.

Be sure to tune into this episode!

Resources

The post CTS 371: Wi-Fi Origin Stories: How Mohammad (Ali) Ali Got Started in Wireless appeared first on Clear To Send.

In this episode, we sit down with Adrian Granados and Josh Schmelzle to talk about the WLAN Pi Go, a portable Wi-Fi diagnostic and packet capture tool that’s reshaping how engineers troubleshoot networks in the field. We discuss why they built it, how it fits into modern Wi-Fi workflows, and what’s coming next.

Why Create the WLAN Pi Go?

How People Use It in the Field

Resources

The post CTS 370: Introducing WLAN Pi Go with Adrian and Josh appeared first on Clear To Send.

This episode is sponsored by Juniper Networks, now part of HPE.

Wes Purvis and Rowell Dionicio join together in-person with François joined in virtually, on the road.

Wi-Fi 7 is the theme for 2025 and Juniper Networks is rounding out their portfolio of Wi-Fi 7 access points. Wes gives us insight into the adoption rate of 6 GHz as we head into Wi-Fi 7.

On this episode, Wes Purvis showcases new access points and the new features that will be useful for high density deployments.

Not just Wi-Fi 7 only features but what looks like a software-defined antenna. An access point that has an integrated directional antenna but can be configured with different beamwidths.

Check out this unique episode and let us know if you’re upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 in the comments below!

Resources

The post CTS 369: Wi-Fi 7 Access Points with Wes Purvis (Sponsored) appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to our sponsor:

Meter: Visit meter.com/cleartosend to book a demo!

The wireless networking industry is experiencing a significant shift toward cloud-managed architectures. This transition is driven by vendors seeking to deliver advanced capabilities like AI-powered analytics and comprehensive APIs that traditional controllers struggle to support. Additionally, the subscription model provides vendors with predictable recurring revenue compared to one-time hardware sales.

However, this evolution brings several challenges. Many organizations face regulatory compliance requirements that restrict cloud connectivity, while others must navigate significant infrastructure redesigns. Technical considerations include gateway functionality for services like OpenRoaming and ensuring network survivability during internet outages.

Financial implications are substantial as organizations shift from capital expenditures to operational costs. This budget restructuring often raises concerns about long-term expenses and vendor lock-in—what happens to network functionality if subscriptions lapse?

In response, hybrid solutions are emerging. Products like Mist Edge, Meraki MG, and Aruba EdgeConnect provide local processing capabilities while maintaining cloud management benefits, addressing reliability and compliance requirements.

Perhaps most significant is the cultural transformation required of network professionals. Engineers accustomed to command-line interfaces must adapt to API-driven management, developing programming skills and embracing automation. This represents a fundamental shift in how wireless networks are designed, deployed, and managed.

The post CTS 368: The Future of the Wireless LAN Controller appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to Meter for supporting the podcast. We greatly appreciate it!

In an introduction of our new series, Wi-Fi Origin Stories, we have a special guest, Ian Stout.

Ian is CWNE #333. He has a lot of experience dealing with networks in the education space.

In this episode, Ian goes into his IT beginnings. From when he knew he would go into IT, from first getting exposed to Wi-Fi and realizing how much he knew about Wi-Fi. Then into his first experiences with Wi-Fi projects.

He lays out how his career path was, the opportunities he took and the advice he would give to newcomers going into Wi-Fi. Advice that would be great for any newcomer to IT.

Watch or listen to this episode to glean some insights into his career and see how you can leverage his learnings for your own.

The post CTS 367: Wi-Fi Origin Stories: How Ian Stout Got Started in Wireless appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to Meter for supporting the podcast. We greatly appreciate it!

Take a look at what goes through my mind when designing Wi-Fi for an office space.

In this episode, I will use Hamina to build a predictive Wi-Fi design.

You’ll learn what type of questions I ask the end users or clients. What type of applications they use, how I place access points on the floor plan and what we end up showing the end users.

Be sure to check out the YouTube video and let us know what you also consider in a Wi-Fi design or give us your questions about the process.

The post CTS 366: Behind the Scenes of a Wi-Fi Design appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to Meter for supporting the podcast. We greatly appreciate it!

Designing Wi-Fi networks for high-density lecture halls has unique challenges due to the concentration of devices in a confined space. Designs must account for both capacity and coverage, implementing access point placement strategies that minimize co-channel interference while maximizing signal quality.

Beyond the technical aspects, successful lecture hall Wi-Fi implementations must consider actual usage patterns and building requirements.

Continuous performance monitoring through heat maps, client connection statistics, and application performance metrics should be considered. It's essential to design with future growth in mind, planning for increased device density as students bring multiple connected devices to class.

The ultimate goal is creating a seamless wireless experience that supports interactive learning technologies while remaining invisible to users, allowing educators and students to focus on the learning experience rather than connectivity issues.

The post CTS 365: Design for High Density Lecture Halls appeared first on Clear To Send.

Thank you to Meter for supporting the podcast. We greatly appreciate it!

In this episode, we talk about the latest news around the Wireless industry.

An article from RCR Wireless by James Blackman indicates that T-Mobile is pulling back on CBRS support for neutral-host 5G. That leaves only AT&T in the same stance it has had and Verizon Wireless maintaining their viewpoint. T-Mobile will continue to offer selective support for CBRS deployments. How does this impact neutral host for vendor partners? It limits the use cases of private 5G to equipment that can take advantage of the lower frequencies and network slicing.

Cisco has announced they are bringing back the dedicated Wireless track certifications. In 2026, you will not see any wireless concepts in ENCOR. Instead, there will be new CCNP wireless certification exams: Implementing and Operating Cisco Wireless Core Technologies (350-101 WLCOR) with two concentration exams — Designing Cisco Wireless Networks (300-110 WLSD) and Implementing Cisco Wireless Advanced Solutions (WLSI 300-120)

Looking to add a tool to your wireless kit? Check out the WLAN Pi Go. It’s a portable Wi-Fi analysis tool you can take everywhere with you. Connects to your mobile phone or your laptop. It has an Intel BE200 Wi-Fi adapter supporting Wi-Fi 7 and the 6 GHz band. We’ll get a better look at it at WLPC Prague.

Speaking of, Rowell will be attending WLPC Prague and presenting. Find Rowell at the conference and ask for a sticker and a pin!

Ubiquiti shared their latest 2025 Q4 earnings report and the revenue is staggering! How is Ubiquiti not in the Gartner Magic Quadrant? We gave our thoughts and opinions of the direction Ubiquiti is taking.

HPE finally closes the acquisition of Juniper Networks. But we won’t see any big changes just yet. We predict those big changes will arrive in the coming years. How long will that honeymoon period last and what kind of changes will we expect from here on out?

The post CTS 364: Neutral Host Pullback, Wi-Fi Certs, WLAN Pi Go, WLPC, Ubiquiti, and HPE Juniper Merger appeared first on Clear To Send.