Netgear Introduces Quad-Mode Business-Class Wireless-AC Access Points

Netgear is launching two new quad-mode business-class 802.11ac wireless Access Points (AP) that support four different modes of management. The new ProSAFE WAC730 Business 3×3 Dual Band Wireless-AC Access Point and ProSAFE WAC720 Business 2×2 Dual Band Wireless-AC Access Point for small to mid-sized organizations can deliver excellent performance with up to 1.7Gbps for the WAC730 and 1.2Gbps for the WAC720.

The new ProSAFE Access Points can operate in standalone mode or use the new Netgear Ensemble Mode Management that enables centralized configuration and managements in groups of up to 10 APs without extra hardware, licenses, or fees. They are also ready to support controller management as well as cloud management through Netgear’s Business Central.

The NETGEAR ProSAFE WAC730 is a 3×3 business class dual-band 802.11ac wireless Access Point that can support an aggregated throughput of up to 1.7Gbps (450Mbps for 2.4GHz band and 1.3Gbps 802.11ac for 5GHz band) where the WAC720 is a 2×2 business class dual-band 802.11ac wireless Access Point with up to 1.2Gbps (300Mbps for 2.4GHz band and 867Mbps 802.11ac for 5GHz band). Other than that, the two units are basically the same.

Besides the new management abilities and faster wireless protocols, the new Access Points feature what you know from Netgear ACs. You get a Gigabit Ethernet port with IEEE 802.3af or 802.3at PoE support and another RJ45 port for management. You get five LEDs to see what’s going on and the APs naturally support all given WiFi protections, SSL, and VPN.

The shape and design is one that is familiar to anyone who has had a previous model, but it is now 40 percent smaller and now also includes support for Bonjour Gateway and Apple devices across multiple subnets. External antennas are not included in the package and neither is the power supply, so you’ll have to get them extra if you need them. The power supply won’t be needed in most setup scenarios as the Access Points support Power over Ethernet (802.3af).

Hardware in this class doesn’t come cheap, although that’s somewhat relative here. The MSRP for the ProSAFE WAC730 Business 3×3 Dual Band Wireless-AC Access Point is set to $689 and the ProSAFE WAC720 Business 2×2 Dual Band Wireless-AC Access Point will set you back $449. Both Access Points will become available this month sometime.