NETGEAR has announced the new Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender (EAX80) and new features to its Insight management solution in addition to the (approximate) worldwide release dates for the Orbi WiFi 6 Mesh System and Meural Canvas II. All of these new technologies will be showcased at IFA 2019, Europe's biggest tech show.
NETGEAR has announced the new Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender (EAX80) and new features to its Insight management solution in addition to the (approximate) worldwide release dates for the Orbi WiFi 6 Mesh System and Meural Canvas II. All of these new technologies will be showcased at IFA 2019, Europe's biggest tech show.
NETGEAR’s EAX80 is designed to address the constraints and limited reach of home WiFi networks, as it extends the range of the WiFi signal and capacity of the networkès connected devices. With its 8-stream WiFi, users will have more spatial streams with more available bandwidth, which will help with the congestion of all devices connected on the same WiFi network. It also features 160MHz bandwidth support for mobile and laptops.
The EAX80 is compatible with any WiFi Router and existing WiFi network names (SSID) will remain; this means all previously connected devices will automatically connect to the extended WiFi 6 network without having to be reconfigured. In addition, the EAX80 features four gigabit LAN ports (for those who require wired connections) and a USB 3.0 port for additional network accessible storage. Moreover, with its iOS and Android app, NETGEAR has made setup simple, requiring just a few quick taps from a tablet or smart phone. Users who own a Nighthawk router can manage the device from the app as well.
Insight remote management solution features
NETGEAR Insight Instant Mesh: This technology combines two the company’s patented tri-band mesh WiFi and Insight remote management platform. Instant Mesh supports NETGEAR’s commercial-grade WAC540 wireless access point as well as the newly released WAC564 mesh WiFi multi-mode access point (mentioned below).
NETGEAR Insight Instant Mesh WiFi Multi-mode Access Point (WAC564): The WAC564 is dubbed by the company as the industry’s first multi-mode WiFi access point that can be used as a root or an extender in a WiFi mesh network, and as a stand-alone WiFi access point. It also features an integrated 4-port gigabit Ethernet switch, allowing businesses to expand their wired and wireless networks with support for multiple unified SSIDs and VLANs. Other features include:
- Access Point mode, enabling AC3000 tri-band WiFi.
- Three separate radios – a 2.4GHz and two 5GHz (low and high frequency bands) -bringing a total of 3Gbps throughput to any WiFi devices.
- Advanced and easy-to-manage WiFi features, such as band-steering, beamforming, load balancing, airtime fairness, and advanced roaming.
NETGEAR Instant Captive Portal: This technology allows businesses to provide secure guest WiFi access within their network. It also features social media login with analytics, customizable advertising, session management, and log storage. The NETGEAR portal solution is easy to configure and customize using Insight and is available on all Insight Managed Wireless devices. Other features include:
- Customizable Payment:
- Charge by amount of time usage, per user
- Payment through PayPal
- Customizable Registration Fields:
- Support for:
- Checkbox
- Dropdown
- Input field
- Support for:
- One-year of guest logs to comply with European regulations
- Customizable Splash Page:
- Logo
- Background images
- Templates and themes
- Responsive web page design, adaptive to smartphone, tablet, and desktop
- Guest logs:
- One-year of guest logs to comply with European regulations
NETGEAR Dark Web Intelligence Service: This service uses scalable, cloud-based technology to transform global threat data into “relevant intelligence and insight.” NETGEAR adds that it will help companies save time and resources by accelerating incident response performance via user-friendly actionable evidence accessible to the business or Managed Service Provider.
NETGEAR indicates the following other benefits:
- Uses a range of sensors to monitor and protect user data, credit cards and identity
- Helps users accurately understand and react to threats, flow of information is visualized with charts and graphs.
- Features a customizable online dashboard and real-time data visualization tools
Insight hardware updates include:
NETGEAR 10-Port Gigabit PoE+ Ethernet Smart Managed Pro Switch (GS110TPP): This switch is now included in the list of products managed by Insight. It features powerful L2+ and L3 Lite features, PoE functionality, and enhanced performance and usability.
NETGEAR also released new Insight firmware for four 24-port and 48-port NETGEAR Smart Managed
- Pro Switches, including:
- 24-Port Gigabit PoE+ Smart Managed Pro Switch (GS728TPv2)
- 24-Port Gigabit PoE+ Smart Managed Pro Switch (GS728TPPv2)
- 48-Port Gigabit PoE+ Smart Managed Pro Switch (GS752TPv2)
- 48-Port Gigabit PoE+ Smart Managed Pro Switch (GS752TPPv1)
NETGEAR business hardware updates include:
NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet PoE+ Unmanaged Switch (GS305PP): This new switch features a metal case, fanless design and desktop or wall mount positioning, and easy installation of 4 PoE+ devices.
Key features:
- Connect multiple power demanding devices to a network with a single wire for power and connectivity
- Ideal for small installations of 4 PoE+ devices (IP Phone, Wired surveillance camera, Wireless Access Point) – Install just the number of ports you need with no additional configuration
- Plug-and-play, automatic connectivity to your router or modem of 4 additional wired connections
Also announced is the Meural Canvas II. Powered by NETGEAR, this WiFi connected digital canvas features anti-glare matte display and “showcases every brushstroke”. The new Meural Canvas II will be available in two sizes (19×29 frame and 16×24 frame) and four colors (black, white, light wood, and dark wood). Users will also be able to upload their own photography.
Pricing and Availability
The Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender (EAX80) is now available for pre-order at $249.99 and is slated to ship during the fourth quarter of 2019.
Orbi WiFi 6 Tri-band Mesh System (RBK852) will be available sometime in the next month at $699.99 for the router and satellite system.
The Meural Canvas II is now available for the following prices:
- 19×29 frame with 27-inch HD display in white or black – $599.95
- 19×29 frame with 27-inch HD display in dark or light wood- $699.95
- 16×24 frame with 21.5-inch HD display in white or black – $399.95
- 16×24 frame with 21.5-inch HD display in dark or light wood – $499.95
- Swivel Mount – $49.95
