Extreme Networks AP310I-WR Deployment Case Study: Ensuring Uninterrupted Connectivity and Superior Roaming
February 3, 2026
A leading private university in North America faced a persistent and growing challenge within its recently constructed, multi-purpose Student Innovation Center. The facility, housing collaborative workspaces, lecture halls, a library, and a bustling food court, consistently hosted over 1,500 students and faculty daily. The existing wireless network, composed of older-generation access points, was buckling under the pressure.
Key pain points included severe congestion in common areas, unreliable video streaming during peak hours, and frustratingly slow device onboarding. Most critically, students and staff moving between floors and zones experienced frequent connection drops and poor voice/video call handoff, severely hampering mobility and productivity. The IT department needed a solution that could deliver not just raw speed, but predictable, stable performance and flawless roaming—a true enterprise-grade experience.
After a rigorous evaluation of several vendor solutions, the university's network architecture team selected the Extreme Networks AP310I-WR as the cornerstone of their wireless overhaul. The decision was driven by the AP310I-WR indoor Wi-Fi 6 AP dual-band's specific feature set designed for high-density environments.
The deployment strategy involved a systematic replacement of legacy APs with over 120 units of the AP310I-WR, strategically placed to ensure optimal coverage and capacity. The solution leveraged:
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Efficiency: The AP310I-WR Wi-Fi 6 access point utilizes OFDMA and MU-MIMO to serve multiple clients simultaneously with lower latency, turning the congested common areas from a liability into a showcase of stable connectivity.
- Intelligent RF Management: Integrated with ExtremeCloud™ IQ, the APs automatically optimized channel and power settings in real-time, mitigating interference and ensuring consistent signal strength.
- Seamless Roaming Protocols: The AP310I-WR supports advanced 802.11k/v/r standards, enabling client devices to pre-associate and transition smoothly between access points without perceptible delay or packet loss.
- Future-Proof Design: The built-in BLE and Zigbee radios, part of the comprehensive AP310I-WR Wi-Fi 6 access point solution, were activated to lay the groundwork for future campus wayfinding and IoT sensor applications.
For the technical team, the detailed AP310I-WR datasheet provided crucial information for heat mapping and power-over-Ethernet (PoE) planning. Ensuring the new hardware was AP310I-WR compatible with the existing switching infrastructure was straightforward, simplifying the rollout.
The post-deployment results were transformative and were quantitatively validated through network analytics and user feedback surveys.
| Metric | Before AP310I-WR | After AP310I-WR Deployment |
|---|---|---|
| Average Client Connection Stability | 78% | 99.5% |
| Roaming Handoff Failure Rate | ~15% | < 0.5% |
| Peak-Hour Network Capacity | ~800 concurrent clients (with issues) | ~2000+ concurrent clients (stable) |
| IT Support Tickets for Wi-Fi | High (Weekly) | Reduced by over 90% |
Users reported dramatically improved experiences with video conferencing and large file transfers on the move. The IT team gained unparalleled visibility and control through a single pane of glass, shifting from reactive firefighting to proactive network management. While the AP310I-WR price represented a strategic investment, the dramatic drop in support overhead and the enhancement to campus life delivered a compelling return on investment.
This application demonstrates that the Extreme Networks AP310I-WR** is more than just hardware; it's an enabling platform for modern, mobile-first environments. By decisively solving the twin challenges of high-density stability and seamless roaming, it has become a critical piece of the university's digital infrastructure.
The success of this deployment has paved the way for a phased, campus-wide refresh. For other organizations evaluating where the AP310I-WR is for sale and how it performs in real-world conditions, this case offers a clear blueprint. The AP310I-WR specifications and architecture prove it is an ideal fit for any venue where reliable, uninterrupted wireless is not a luxury, but a necessity for operational success and user satisfaction.
Looking ahead, the university plans to leverage the IoT-ready capabilities of its new wireless foundation, exploring smart building applications that build upon the reliable connectivity now provided by the AP310I-WR network.