Wireless LAN vendors have already begun touting 802.11ac access point options and migration paths for enterprises, even as the standard awaits completion.

The 802.11ac specification -- dubbed "gigabit Wi-Fi" -- promises faster data transfer speeds than 802.11n from 450Mbps to 1.3 Gbps, and should accommodate a larger number of Wi-Fi-enabled devices. Enterprises are considering the 802.11ac standard as a way to future-proof their network as the number of wireless devices per user increases.

Vendors offer 802.11ac access point options, while protecting existing infrastructure investment

Upgrading a wireless LAN can be expensive and time-consuming to for IT department. Some networking vendors -- like Cisco and Xirrus Inc. -- have announced 802.11ac expansion modules that fit into existing 802.11n infrastructure.

Cisco will begin shipping expansion modules for its premium access point -- the Aironet 3600 Series -- early next year. Network administrators can plug modules into existing 3600 access points to immediately support 802.11ac without ripping and replacing legacy technology, noted Inbar Lasser-Raab, senior director of enterprise networking marketing at Cisco.