I have a healthcare client that is a high care facility currently running 802.11N AP's soon to be replaced with 802.11ac's
They are about to retire their existing cable based Nursecall System with a 3rd party product that only operates on 802.11b. At present all devices (Laptops, Tablets, Vocera Badges) connected to the AP's are 802.11n capable so transaition to the higher rate AP's wasnt going to be an issue.
What is the impact of having legacy devices running 802.11b when all others run at higher rates? The WIreless LAN has run flawlessly for 5 years since installed, and my concern comes from my limited understanding of what I saw with a Ruckus deployment at an equivalent site where the Ruckus units would ramp down to accomodate the 802.11b devices then after a period ramp back up to 802.11n. This lag time affected other services on the site such as Telehealth Video Conferencing (*where a patient was engaged in a consult with a GP or specialist Dr via viedo link attached to the Wifi)
Is there a deadline for 802.11b to be EOL by the IEEE or Wifi Alliance? SHould I be concerned?
Ask Itee
The product is a Nursecall System called Alexys here in Australia and they are still producing a product that runs in the 802.11b. I've been suspicious of vendors who have a "reluctance" to move with the times seeing it as an indicator that the product development has stalled or the vendor simply cant keep up with developments in new tech.
Sadly the Board of Dir's for the client made the call on the vendor without much consultation, so were stuck with it. Perhaps its a little paranoia on my side too given the Wireless environment has been issue free for 5 years with every piece working nicely and logs being a very very boring read :)