Juniper Networks, based in California, has developed an IoT assurance solution that automates and scales the onboarding and security of IoT devices without requiring network access control (NAC). The AI-powered networking company also unveiled two 6GHz access points that use Mist AI to boost WiFi performance and capacity while streamlining IT processes.

Juniper’s wireless access portfolio advancements support the company’s experience-first networking objective, allowing IT administrators to provide a better network experience to their users.

“While it is relatively easy to support new standards like WiFi 6E in hardware and to onboard a small number of IoT devices using pre-shared keys, Juniper has again put customers first by applying the proven benefits of Mist AI and the modern microservices cloud to these environments to deliver unparalleled performance, agility, ease and scale,” said Jeff Aaron, Juniper vice president. “From day-zero installation through ongoing monitoring, management and troubleshooting of the network, Juniper continues to stand out for an experience-first approach to networking that delivers the best experiences for operators and end-users from the client to the cloud.”

WiFi 6E is a wireless standard that increases network capacity by making more RF spectrum available in the 6GHz band, in addition to the 2.4 and 5GHz bands. Juniper is unveiling two tri-band access points (APs) to take advantage of WiFi 6E, which will be controlled by the same Juniper Mist cloud and AI engine as the rest of the Juniper Mist portfolio. The AP 45 2.4, 5 and 6GHz quad-radio, 4×4:4SS, vBLE array, and the AP 34 2.4, 5 and 6GHz quad-radio, 2×2:2SS, omni BLE array are the multiple alternatives.

The APs are a complement to Juniper Mist’s existing 2.4 and 5GHz APs, which handle both 802.11ac and 802.11ax protocols. To provide a wide range of location-based services in a scalable and cost-effective manner, all APs include Juniper’s unique virtualized Bluetooth LE or omnidirectional BLE antenna in addition to WiFi.

Juniper Mist combines extensive client insights with AIOps to deliver optimized settings, improved performance, and improved packet scheduling for enhanced capacity. For investment protection, this is accomplished without reducing performance for older 2.4 and 5GHz clients.

The Mist IoT assurance cloud service provides organizations with a one-stop-shop for IoT operations, such as policy assignment, segmentation, traffic engineering, and lifecycle management. Because many IoT devices, including cameras, smart locks, HVAC systems, wearables, sensors, MRI, CT, ultrasound equipment, bed monitors, and digital displays, don’t support 802.1x, they can’t be onboarded with typical NAC.

Juniper solves this problem by allowing them to be onboarded at a cloud-scale using private pre-shared keys (PPSK), which are simple to set up and manage using a self-serve programmable cloud portal.

Juniper claims it has solved a frequent problem of delivering an amazing IoT experience to existing and prospective customers by eliminating expensive third-party hardware and overlay software and enabling simple IoT onboarding via an intuitive cloud service.

“Organisations are embracing hybrid work, forcing IT to rethink connectivity options across campus environments,” said Bob Laliberte, senior analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group. “In addition to supporting increased use of audio and video collaboration, IoT devices are also in greater demand to ensure workplace safety and security. As a result, complexity is growing rapidly. Juniper Networks’ new AI-enabled WiFi 6E access points and IoT assurance service enable organizations to overcome those challenges and drive higher levels of operational efficiency.”