Blog posts are a tool I use to help record information for my own use as well as sharing with my colleagues in the WiFi Space. This blog might not be super interesting.
Client devices are often times difficult to determine WiFi capabilities. I have used the FCC website to research devices. Located HERE. Mike Albano’s website is also very helpful. Located HERE.
Apple has partnered with Cisco and more documentation is being released concerning client behavior and specifications for WiFi.
Reference Links:
Wi-Fi specifications for iOS devices
iOS model Wi-Fi standards
Wi-Fi specifications for iOS devices are detailed in the table that follows. The specifications are:
- 11 compatibility and frequency band: 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11a, 802.11b/g and 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
- Maximum transmit rate: The highest rate at which a client can transmit data over Wi-Fi.
- Channel width: The maximum channel width. Beginning with 802.11n, channels can be combined to create a wider channel that allows for more data to be transmitted during a single transmission. With 802.11n, two 20 MHz channels can be combined to create a 40 MHz channel. With 802.11ac, four 20 MHz channels can be combined to create an 80 MHz channel.
- MCS index: The Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) index defines the maximum transmission rate at which 802.11ac/n devices can communicate. 802.11ac uses Very High Throughput (VHT) and 802.11n uses High Throughput (HT).
- Spatial streams: Each radio can send a specific number of independent data streams, called spatial streams, at the same time, which can increase overall throughput.
| Model | 802.11 compatibility | Maximum transmit rate | Channel width | MCS index | Spatial streams |
| 10.5-inch iPad Pro
12.9-inch iPad Pro iPad(5th generation) iPad mini 4 iPhone 7 Plus iPhone 7 9.7‑inch iPad Pro 12.9‑inch iPad Pro iPad Air 2 iPhone 6s Plus iPhone 6s |
ac @ 5 GHz | 866 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 2 |
| iPad Pro
iPad Air 2 iPhone SE iPhone 6s Plus iPhone 6s |
a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
300 Mbps | 40 MHz | 15 (HT) | 2 |
| iPad mini 4 | ac @ 5 GHz | 866 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 2 |
| iPad mini 4 | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
300 Mbps | 40 MHz | 15 (HT) | 2 |
| iPad mini 3 | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
300 Mbps | 40 MHz | 15 (HT) | 2 |
| iPhone 6 Plus
iPhone 6 iPod touch 6th generation |
ac @ 5 GHz | 433 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 1 |
| iPhone SE
iPhone 6 Plus iPhone 6 iPod touch 6th generation |
a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
150 Mbps | 40 MHz | 7 (HT) | 1 |
| iPhone 5s
iPhone 5c iPhone 5 |
a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
150 Mbps | 40 MHz | 7 (HT) | 1 |
| iPhone 4s
iPhone 4 |
n/g/b @ 2.4 GHz | 65 Mbps | 20 MHz | 7 (HT) | 1 |
| iPad Air
iPad mini 2 |
a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
300 Mbps | 40 MHz | 15 (HT) | 2 |
| iPad 4th generation
iPad mini |
a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
150 Mbps | 40 MHz | 7 (HT) | 1 |
| iPad 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
65 Mbps | 20 MHz | 7 (HT) | 1 |
| iPod touch 5th generation | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
150 Mbps | 40 MHz | 7 (HT) | 1 |
| iPod touch 4th generation | b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz | 65 Mbps | 20 MHz | 7 (HT) | 1 |
Wi-Fi specifications for Mac computers
Wi-Fi specifications for Mac computers are detailed in the table that follows. The specifications are:
- 11 compatibility and frequency band: 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11a, 802.11b/g and 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
- Maximum transmit rate: The highest rate at which a client can transmit data over Wi-Fi.
- Channel width: The maximum channel width. Beginning with 802.11n, channels can be combined to create a wider channel that allows for more data to be transmitted during a single transmission. With 802.11n, two 20 MHz channels can be combined to create a 40 MHz channel. With 802.11ac, four 20 MHz channels can be combined to create an 80 MHz channel.
- MCS index: The Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) index defines the maximum transmission rate at which 802.11ac/n devices can communicate. 802.11ac uses Very High Throughput (VHT) and 802.11n uses High Throughput (HT).
- Spatial streams: Each radio can send a specific number of independent data streams, called spatial streams, at the same time, which can increase overall throughput.
MacBook Pro computers
| Model | 802.11 compatibility | Maximum transmit rate | Channel width | MCS index | Spatial streams |
| 13″, Late 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports, with Touch Bar | ac @ 5 GHz | 1300 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 3 |
| 13″, Late 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports, with Touch Bar | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
450 Mbps | 40 MHz | 23 (HT) | 3 |
| 15″, Late 2016 | ac @ 5 GHz | 1300 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 3 |
| 15″, Late 2016 | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
450 Mbps | 40 MHz | 23 (HT) | 3 |
| 13″, Late 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports | ac @ 5 GHz | 1300 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 3 |
| 13″, Late 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
450 Mbps | 40 MHz | 23 (HT) | 3 |
| Retina, 15″, Mid 2015 | ac @ 5 GHz | 1300 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 3 |
| Retina, 15″, Mid 2015 | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
450 Mbps | 40 MHz | 23 (HT) | 3 |
| Retina, 13″, Early 2015 | ac @ 5 GHz | 1300 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 3 |
| Retina, 13″, Early 2015 | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
450 Mbps | 40 MHz | 23 (HT) | 3 |
| Retina, 15″, Mid 2014 | ac @ 5 GHz | 1300 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 3 |
| Retina, 15″, Mid 2014 | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
450 Mbps | 40 MHz | 23 (HT) | 3 |
| Retina, 13″, Mid 2014 | ac @ 5 GHz | 1300 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 3 |
| Retina, 13″, Mid 2014 | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
450 Mbps | 40 MHz | 23 (HT) | 3 |
| Retina, 15″, Late 2013 | ac @ 5 GHz | 1300 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 3 |
| Retina, 15″, Late 2013 | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
450 Mbps | 40 MHz | 23 (HT) | 3 |
| Retina, 13″, Late 2013 | ac @ 5 GHz | 1300 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 3 |
| Retina, 13″, Late 2013 | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
450 Mbps | 40 MHz | 23 (HT) | 3 |
| Retina, 15″, Early 2013
Retina, 13″, Early 2013 |
a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
450 Mbps | 40 MHz | 23 (HT) | 3 |
| Retina, 15″, Mid 2012
Retina, 13″, Late 2012 |
a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
450 Mbps | 40 MHz | 23 (HT) | 3 |
| 15″, Mid 2012
13″, Mid 2012 |
a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
450 Mbps | 40 MHz | 23 (HT) | 3 |
MacBook Air computers
| Model | 802.11 compatibility | Maximum transmit rate | Channel width | MCS index | Spatial streams |
| 13″, Early 2015 | ac @ 5 GHz | 866 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 2 |
| 13″, Early 2015 | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
300 Mbps | 40 MHz | 15 (HT) | 2 |
| 11″, Early 2015 | ac @ 5 GHz | 866 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 2 |
| 11″, Early 2015 | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
300 Mbps | 40 MHz | 15 (HT) | 2 |
| 13″, Early 2014 | ac @ 5 GHz | 866 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 2 |
| 13″, Early 2014 | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
300 Mbps | 40 MHz | 15 (HT) | 2 |
| 11″, Early 2014 | ac @ 5 GHz | 866 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 2 |
| 11″, Early 2014 | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
300 Mbps | 40 MHz | 15 (HT) | 2 |
| 13″, Mid 2013 | ac @ 5 GHz | 866 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 2 |
| 13″, Mid 2013 | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
300 Mbps | 40 MHz | 15 (HT) | 2 |
| 11″, Mid 2013 | ac @ 5 GHz | 866 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 2 |
| 11″, Mid 2013 | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
300 Mbps | 40 MHz | 15 (HT) | 2 |
| 13″, Mid 2012
11″, Mid 2012 |
a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
300 Mbps | 40 MHz | 15 (HT) | 2 |
| 13″, Mid 2011
11″, Mid 2011 |
a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
300 Mbps | 40 MHz | 15 (HT) | 2 |
| 13″, Late 2010
11″, Late 2010 |
a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
300 Mbps | 40 MHz | 15 (HT) | 2 |
MacBook computers
| Model | 802.11 compatibility | Maximum transmit rate | Channel width | MCS index | Spatial streams |
| Retina, 12″, Early 2015 | ac @ 5 GHz | 866 Mbps | 80 MHz | 9 (VHT) | 2 |
| Retina, 12″, Early 2015 | a/n @ 5 GHz
b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz |
300 Mbps | 40 MHz | 15 (HT) | 2 |
Roam
iOS 10 and Cisco wireless controller releases include support for two wireless network improvements, Adaptive 802.11r and QoS Fast lane. Any device running iOS 10 or later supports QoS Fast lane.
Wi-Fi optimization
iOS devices and Cisco networks recognize each other, allowing the device and network to use the latest Wi-Fi technologies to optimize the experience. Both roaming and device battery life have been improved with features like:
- 11k to deliver the list of neighboring access points
- 11r (Adaptive 802.11r) to help iOS devices quickly and securely roam between access points on the same network
- 11u to enable easy and secure Wi-Fi service discovery and connection
- 11v to help identify the optimal wireless access points for roaming
See the table below for a list of devices and their supported 802.1X protocols.
802.11k
802.11k allows your iOS device to quickly identify nearby access points (APs) that are available for roaming. When the signal strength of the current AP weakens and your device needs to roam to a new AP, it will already know which AP is the best to connect with.
802.11r
802.11r streamlines the authentication process using a feature called Fast BSS Transition (FT) when your iOS device roams from one AP to another on the same network. FT allows iOS devices to associate with APs more quickly. Depending on your Wi-Fi hardware vendor, FT can work with both preshared key (PSK) and 802.1X authentication methods.
Adaptive 802.11r
Adaptive 802.11r allows you to set up a network without explicitly enabling Fast Transition. This configuration still grants the option of FT to devices running iOS 10 or later. Supported devices running iOS 10 or later and Cisco APs mutually signal that adaptive 802.11r is supported by the network and that FT can be used. Legacy wireless clients that don’t support 802.11r can still join the same network but won’t benefit from faster FT roaming.
802.11v
802.11v provides additional information about nearby APs that could be optimal candidates to join. When iOS decides it needs to roam, the BSS transition data (supplied by the network) helps iOS quickly decide which APs are best for roaming.
QoS prioritization of apps
Various standards exist (802.1p, DSCP, 802.11e/WMM) to help network devices agree on how different types of traffic are marked to ensure higher priority. QoS Fast lane greatly simplifies this agreement process between wireless client, wireless network, and wired network so that application packet congestion is minimized and time-sensitive traffic (like voice or video) is delivered on time. Organizations can then install on iOS devices a configuration profile that allows only specific business apps to get priority. The Cisco network looks for these markings and provides the correlated service level.
Roaming optimization support
The table below shows which iOS devices can support 802.11k, 802.11r, and 802.11v. Even if an iOS device doesn’t support 802.11r, iOS 5.1 or later supports pairwise master key identifier (PMKID) caching, which can be used with some Cisco equipment to improve roaming between APs. Additional SSIDs might be necessary to support both FT–capable iOS devices and PMKID–caching iOS devices. Also, sticky key caching (SKC) is a form of PMKID caching that optimizes roaming back to previously associated access points. SKC isn’t equivalent to, or compatible with, opportunistic key caching (OKC).
| iOS device | Adaptive 802.11r | 802.11k/r | 802.11v | iOS 6 or later supported methods |
| iPad Pro or later, iPhone 6s or later, iPhone SE | Yes | Yes | Yes | FT, PMKID caching |
| iPad Pro, iPhone 5c/5s or later, iPad Air or later, iPad mini 2 or later | No | Yes | Yes | FT, PMKID caching |
| iPhone 4s or later, iPad 3rd generation or later, iPad mini or later, iPod touch 5th generation or later | No | Yes | No | FT, PMKID caching |
| iPhone 4 or earlier, iPad 2nd generation or earlier, iPod touch 4th generation or earlier | No | No | No | PMKID caching |
Note: Unless you are running Cisco’s AireOS 8.3 or later on your wireless controller, you need to explicitly enable 802.11k, 802.11r (FT), and 802.11v functionality on your network.
Best Practices for WiFi:
Enterprise_Best_Practices_for_iOS_devices_and_Mac_computers_on_Cisco_Wireless_LAN
