Cisco offers an extensive portfolio of wireless LAN products and technologies intended to provide anywhere, anytime connections to information and resources and to promote collaboration among workers, associates, suppliers, and clients. Cisco's wireless offerings include Cisco's Small Business, Aironet and Meraki series of access points (APs), plus Cisco's Wireless LAN Controller plug-ins and standalone devices. Progent's Cisco-certified wireless consultants can enable organizations of all sizes to deploy Cisco wireless products to accommodate the current paradigm of Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) computing by integrating their wired/wireless environments to benefit from simplified configuration, consistently high performance, single-point control, uniform policy enforcement, high availability, and across-the-board protection.

Cisco's Unified Wireless architecture can scale to as many as 18,000 access points with Layer 3 connectivity across local or remote venues like business headquarters, university lecture halls, branches, and home offices. Cisco's 802.11x APs and wireless controllers are part of Cisco's Unified Wireless Network and are engineered to support the identical level of security, performance, and ease of management for wireless LANs that businesses demand in their wired infrastructure. Cisco's technology includes integrated mobility services like Voice over IP, high-definition IP video, and secure guest access. Cisco's Unified Wireless Network technology allows organizations to build wireless ecosystems that streamline the way they do business and enhance productivity through a dynamic and collaborative workforce.
Progent's Cisco-certified network infrastructure consultants can provide remote or on-premises support to help you to design, configure, maintain, upgrade, and repair converged wired/wireless networks of all sizes and for any environment. In addition, Progent can provide value-priced remote and onsite wireless site surveys to help your company to design and install a Wi-Fi LAN with customized wireless access point clustering optimized for your individual office layout, building characteristics, and application workloads.
Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst Access Points (APs)
Cisco's Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst lines of APs enable businesses to converge wired and wireless networks to deliver the accessibility, density, performance, security compliance and manageability required to support virtually any scenario. Cisco's APs start at bare bones, single-radio 802.11b/g/n units with throughput of 300 Mbps designed for small businesses or home offices to 802.11ax APs capable of supporting hundreds of wireless clients per AP and delivering data rates in excess of 5 Gigabits per second. Cisco's latest line of access points can be combined or clustered to provide the capacity to handle sites crowded with clients and with high usage rates of video-intense apps.
Cisco Small Business Series of Access Points
Cisco's Small Business Family of access points are Linux-powered units designed as entry-level wireless solutions for light workloads. Most models in Cisco's Small Business line of APs work with Cisco's Single Point Setup technology, which allows you to set up, control and repair a group of wireless access points from a single device via a simple web browser tool. All versions include Power over Ethernet (POE) and provide QoS, rogue AP detection, and bridge mode for connecting to a second Ethernet LAN.
Cisco's Small Business WAP121 Wireless-N Access Point is a wall-mountable, single-radio 2.4GHz device that can support 16 active 802.11n wireless clients, includes a 10/100 Ethernet interface, allows up to four AP devices and 40 active wireless clients in a cluster, and can handle data rates of up to 300 Mbps. The Cisco WAP131 is a desktop dual-radio 802.11a/b/g/n AP that can handle 16 active clients on each radio for a total of up to 32 wireless clients, features a 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN interface, and can support sustained data rates of up to 300 Mbps per radio. The WAP131 does not support AP clustering. The Cisco WAP150 is a value-priced Wave 1 dual-radio 802.11ac/n wireless access point that includes a one Gbit Power over Ethernet (PoE) port and can support 16 clients from each radio with 867 Mbps throughput for AC clients and 300 Mbps for 802.11n devices. Cisco's Small Business WAP150 supports 4 access points for each cluster.
Cisco's Small Business WAP321 Access Point is a wall-mountable single-band (2.4 or 5 GHz) 802.11n unit that can handle up to 80 wireless clients sharing an 8-AP cluster. The Cisco WAP321 includes a 10/100/1000 Ethernet port and can support a data rate of 300 Mbps for the activated radio. The Cisco WAP351 is a dual-radio 2.4/5 GHz 802.11n access point that includes a 5-port Gigabit Ethernet interface and can support 32 wireless clients per radio for up to 64 clients, and support sustained throughput of 300 Mbps for each radio. The WAP351 access point does not allow clustering. Cisco's WAP361 is a dual-band 2.4/5 GHz 802.11ac wireless access point that features a 5-port Gigabit Ethernet switch, allows 32 clients per radio, and delivers 867 Mbps performance for wireless AC clients and 300 Mbps for 802.11n devices. The Cisco WAP361 supports 8 WAP361 access points per cluster. Cisco's wall-mountable WAP371 Wireless-AC/N is a dual-radio device that supports 802.11a/b/g/n and the latest 802.11ac wireless networking specification. The WAP371 Wireless-AC/N has a GE interface, can handle 32 active wireless clients on each radio, and 8 access points for each cluster.
The Cisco WAP561 Wireless-N Selectable Band access point features a GE LAN interface and dual concurrent radios that deliver 450 Mbps performance for each radio, can handle 64 clients for each radio, and allow 16 access points for each cluster. Cisco's WAP551 is similar to the WAP 561 but has a single selectable band (2.4 or 5.0 GHz). Cisco's WAP571 and WAP571E (the ruggedized outdoor model) are dual-band 2.4/5 GHz 802.11ac Wave 1 wireless access points that feature two Gb Ethernet interfaces with link aggregation, 3x3 MIMO, and up to 1.9 Gbps throughput with 1300 Mbps on 802.11ac and 600 Mbps over 802.11n. Both access points can handle 32 active WAN clients on each radio and 16 access points on each cluster.

The Cisco Small Business WAP581 Wireless-AC Dual Radio Wave 2 AP supports the 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5 specification and features 4x4 and 3x3 MU-MIMO to deliver 2.8 Gbps data rates at 5 GHz and 0.6 Gbps on the 2.4-GHz radio for an aggregate top data rate of 2.4 Gbps. The WAP581 has a fixed 2.5G Ethernet LAN interface and a 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN interface with 802.3at PoE. The WAP581 Wave 2 Wi-Fi 5 access point can handle up to 200 connective users, a maximum of 50 active users per radio, 16 APs for each cluster, and 960 active users per cluster.
For more information about Progent's consulting services for current and older Cisco Small Business family of wireless access points, refer to Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 WiFi APs planning and support.
Cisco's Aironet Line of Access Points

The Aironet family of wireless APs has for years been the leading access point solution. Aironet access points range from value-priced entry-level devices to enterprise-class APs. The Aironet family cover multiple generations of models supporting the continually improving 802 specification. The latest portfolio of Aironet access points work with Cisco's Unified Wireless Network software and come with 802.11ac technology, which delivers three times the speed plus superior range and user density compared to the previous generation of devices. Cisco's current multi-band Aironet access points continue to support 802.11n at 2.4 GHz for clients without 802.11ac radios.
The oldest Aironet access points are now legacy units that have reached end-of-life status and are not supported by Cisco. Progent continues to support the entire Aironet line of access points and can assist you to maintain your existing Aironet Wi-Fi environment or move cost effectively to the latest Aironet technology. For details about Progent's consulting services for current and outdated Cisco Aironet access points, refer to Aironet wireless access points consulting services.
Meraki Wireless Access Points
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Cisco's family of Meraki dual-band indoor access points range from value-priced devices for general use to enterprise-class units that offer as high as 5.9 Gigabit per second performance. Each Cisco Meraki indoor AP provides high-end features such as plug-and-play installation, advanced security, Bring-Your-Own-Device support, extensive analytics, automatic web-based updates, and unified cloud management for multiple sites. Each Meraki indoor access point also includes dual powerful radios with boosted reception plus a dedicated radio that provides (WIDS/WIPS) security for threat detection and deep packet inspection.
Meraki outdoor APs are IP67 rated, designed to operate in rugged outdoor conditions, and tested to resist dust, shock and moisture. Cisco's Meraki outdoor access points include a 1 x Gbit Ethernet port and deliver advanced capabilities such as cloud-based management with network-wide visibility, 802.1X and native Active Directory integration, built-in antivirus scan (NAC), single-click guest access and isolation firewall, application-aware traffic shaping, plus self-configuring mesh with beamforming. To find out more about Progent's support for Cisco's Meraki access points and management tools, refer to Meraki APs consulting services.
Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Family of Wi-Fi 6 and W-Fi 6E APs

Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Series Wi-Fi 6 and 6E 802.11ax APs are designed for deployments ranging from telecommuter homes to high-density arenas. Cisco Catalyst 9100 access points are compliant with the 802.11ax specification, referred to as Wi-Fi 6, which is an evolution of the previous 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard. As an improvement to 802.11ac, Wi-Fi 6 is designed to use both the 2.4-Ghz and 5-GHz bands. Important enhancements incorporated in Cisco Catalyst 9100 Series access points include OFDMA scheduling for high density deployments, dual NAVs for improved reliability, increased device sleep time for reduced power usage in battery-dependent endpoints, adaptive sensitivity thresholds for more efficient spectrum use, and extended guard intervals for improved outdoor performance. Catalyst 9100 Series Wi-Fi 6 access points can run Cisco's EWC, accommodate as many as 400 clients per radio, and run on Cisco IOS XE Software.
Cisco's Catalyst 9160 Series Wi-Fi 6E access points are the first Cisco APs to offer the flexibility to be monitored and managed on-premises with Cisco DNA Center or via the cloud by deploying Meraki management utilities. This enables businesses to move to cloud-based or hybrid deployments on their own timetable. All Catalyst 916x APs meet the a/b/g/n/ac/ax and 6E wireless specifications and support the new 6-GHz band. Each AP includes 5 radios and allows as many as 400 clients per radio. Every AP also comes with a dedicated radio for Cisco CleanAir Pro for reducing wireless interference, comes with a USB 2.0 port, and offers Bluetooth Low Energy. The entry-level Catalyst 9162 Series AP is intended for small organizations, has three 2x2 radios, and provides 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet support.
The Catalyst 9163E Wi-Fi 6E AP is designed for tough outdoor venues such as campuses or municipal Wi-Fi. The 9163E comes with three client serving 2x2 radios, an IoT radio, and a tri-band scanning radio. Interfaces include 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G Multigigabit Ethernet (RJ-45), a management console port (RJ-45), 4x N-Type Wi-Fi antenna connectors, and an RP-SMA active GPS/GNSS antenna connector. The 9163E works with Omnidirectional Dipole Self-Identifying Antennas. The Catalyst 9164 Series AP is meant for small and mid-size enterprises, incorporates one 2x2 radio and two 4x4 radios, and features 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet support. The Catalyst 9166 Series Wi-Fi access point is meant for large and mid-sized enterprises, has three 4x4 radios, and offers 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G/5G mGig Ethernet connectivity. The 9166 also comes with environmental sensors that measure air quality, temperature, and moisture. To find out more about Progent's support for Catalyst 9100 Line of Wi-Fi 6/6E 802.11ax Access Points, refer to Wireless access points system planning, deployment, and troubleshooting consulting.
Cisco 9800 Series Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wi-Fi 6-supported wireless LAN controllers help you manage modern Wi-Fi networks that incorporate 802.11ax Wi-Fi access points. 802.11ax, referred to as Wi-Fi 6, builds on prior generation 802.11ac (referred to as Wi-Fi 5) devices by providing less latency and more reliable performance, allowing higher client density, providing enhanced security, saving energy for battery-powered handheld devices, and allowing more versatility for handling the latest kinds of Internet-of-Things endpoints. Catalyst 9800 line Wi-Fi controllers include always-on availability with transparent software updates, live patching, and the ability to add Wi-Fi access points without disruption of service. Advanced cybersecurity technologies include Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA), image signing, and Software-Defined Access. Streaming telemetry allows you to monitor and understand infrastructure and client health.
All devices in the Catalyst 9800 line are based on Cisco's IOS XE Software and operate with Cisco's DNA Center (DNAC) or with Prime Infrastructure network management platforms. Catalyst 9800 Series wireless network controllers can manage Cisco Aironet 802.11ac Wave 1 and Wave 2 Wi-Fi access points as well as Catalyst 9100 Series 802.11ax access points. For more information about Progent's consulting services for Cisco 9800 Series 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers, refer to Catalyst 9800 Series Wi-Fi 6 wireless controllers system planning, deployment, and management services.
Cisco Wave 2 Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco Wave 2 wireless controllers enable fast data exchange, deployment, management, monitoring and debugging for Cisco wireless devices and software services. Cisco offers both physical and software-based wireless controllers for unified administration of WiFi networks, but systems with many wireless access points typically require hardware-based Wi-Fi controllers. Wave 2 Wi-Fi controller devices from Cisco offer significant advantages over Wave 1 and earlier models such as higher performance, simultaneous support for 1G and 10G interfaces, improved application visibility and control (AVC), and advanced, integrated security.
The Cisco 3504 Wireless Controller is an entry-level device with a desktop enclosure and designed for small and medium-sized organizations. You can install the 3504 in a centralized WLAN environment such as in small branch and remote offices administered over the WAN with Cisco FlexConnect, or in mesh installations where wiring is limited. The 3504 Wi-Fi controller supports up to 150 wireless APs and 3,000 clients, delivers 4 Gbps throughput, and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. The 3504 wireless controller features a Cisco Multigigabit interface (up to 5 Gigabit Ethernet) and four 1-GB Ethernet connections. APs can be attached to the controller via two PoE ports. The 3504 wireless controller offers subsecond failover for APs and users, which provides uninterrupted availability for applications. Like other current Wave 2 Wi-Fi controllers available from Cisco, the 3504 model has the integrated capability to communicate with Cisco Prime Infrastructure, Cisco Mobility Services, and Cisco 5520 and 8540 WiFi controllers.
The Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller, offered in a 1RU package, is designed to support midsize to large organizations and campus environments and can be run in centralized, distributed, and mesh architectures. The 5520 wireless controller supports up to 1,500 wireless APs and 20,000 client users, delivers 20 Gbps performance, and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. The 5520 model controller includes two 10 GE ports and incorporates SSD storage, redundant fans, optional backup power supplies, and rapid failover for uninterrupted availability.
Cisco's 8540 Wireless Controller, offered in a 2RU form factor, is a top-of-the-line WiFi controller intended to support enterprises, service providers, and large campus environments. The 8540 WiFi controller can be run in centralized, distributed, and mesh architectures and supports up to 6,000 Wi-Fi access points and 64,000 client users. The 8540 Wireless controller can deliver data rates up to 40 Gbps and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. The 8340 comes with four 1-GB or 10GE interfaces and features SSD storage, dual power supplies, backup fans, and rapid failover.
Wave 1 Cisco Wireless Network Controllers
Cisco wireless network controllers cut the time and cost needed to deploy, monitor, and operate wireless networks by offering single-point control of critical functions such as setting up access points, enforcing consistent policies throughout converged wired and wireless LANs, supporting enterprise-wide QoS for voice and HD video, tracking and optimizing network performance, implementing wireless intrusion prevention system (wIPS) capabilities to guard against cyber break-ins and DDoS attacks, and handling IPv6 clients. Cisco has developed wireless network controllers for businesses of any size and can provide standalone desktop appliances, modular add-on wireless controllers for Cisco routers and switches, and Catalyst switches with built-in wireless LAN controllers.
Cisco's Wave 1 WiFi controllers include Cisco CleanAir technology to avoid signal interference and produce self-healing and self-optimizing wireless LANs for maximum 802.11n and 802.11ac throughput and security. Integrated Bonjour Gateways permit discovery and policy throughout WLAN, LAN and WAN for Apple applications. For fault tolerance, Cisco wireless network controllers support AP and client stateful failover by enabling a backup high-availability controller to synch with a primary controller for AP license tabulation, CAPWAP state and roaming keys, and access point CAPWAP state. If the main wireless controller stops working, thousands of access points and wireless clients can failover at subsecond speeds to the backup wireless network controller.
Cisco's Wireless Controller Module for ISR Routers with UCS-E offers entry-level 802.11n and 802.11ac capability for Cisco 2900 and 3900 routers used by smaller organizations and branches. This value-priced and expandable solution can support up to 200 APs and up to 6000 wireless clients. (For information about Progent's online and onsite consulting and troubleshooting services for Cisco routers, refer to Cisco router configuration and troubleshooting services.)
Catalyst 3650 Series are 1RU switches designed for small to mid-size businesses and branch offices and have an integrated wireless LAN controller with the ability to support up to 40 Gb of wireless throughput for each switch and 25 APs and 1000 wireless clients on each switch or stack. Catalyst 3850 Series are 1RU rackmount switches designed for mid-size businesses and large enterprises and include a built-in wireless controller supporting 40 Gb of wireless throughput per switch and support for up to 50 access points and up to 2000 clients. The Wireless Services Module2 is an add-in blade for Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series switches that include an integrated wireless controller designed for mid-to-large size businesses and able to deliver 20 Gbps performance and able to handle 1000 APs and as many as 15,000 wireless clients. (To learn about Progent's consulting services for Cisco switches, see Cisco switches configuration and troubleshooting consulting.)
Cisco 2500 Wireless Controllers are economical desktop units that simplify the deployment and operation of wireless networks for small and midsize businesses and branches. The Cisco 2500 Series wireless LAN controller can handle from five to 75 access points and up to 1000 clients and offers throughput of 1 Gbps.
The Cisco 5500 Wireless Controller is an expandable 1RU unit designed for mid-to-large sized organizations and campuses and can manage up to 500 access points and 7,000 clients while delivering 8 Gbps throughput. The Cisco 5760 Wireless Controller is a 1RU device designed for mid-to-large campuses with the ability to manage 1000 APs and 12,000 clients and offering throughput of 60 Gbps to accommodate high wireless client densities and high amounts of media-rich mobile applications.
The Cisco Flex 7500 Wireless Controller is designed to manage massive collections of wireless remote sites from one location, eliminating the need for a wireless controller at each remote site. The 1RU rackmount Flex 7500 appliance allows you to create a private cloud to configure, monitor, manage, and troubleshoot as many as 6000 APs and 64,000 clients while supporting 1 Gbps throughput. Cisco's 8500 Wireless Controller is a 1RU device engineered to monitor and manage wireless environments for very large campuses or service providers and can be expanded to handle up to 6000 wireless points and up to 64,000 wireless clients while delivering 10 Gbps throughput.
For more information about Cisco WiFi controllers, go to Cisco wireless controllers consulting services.
Legacy Cisco Access Points, LAN Bridges and Wi-Fi Controllers Supported by Progent
The IEEE 802.11ac standard for Wi-Fi largely rendered obsolete the earlier releases of Wi-Fi devices for venues that support high densities of wireless clients and high incidence of HD video applications. Even for businesses who do not need the bandwidth efficiency of 802.11ac, many of Cisco wireless devices have reached end-of-sale or end-of-support status, which can present significant maintenance and regulatory compliance issues. Progent's Cisco-certified consulting experts offer online and onsite support services for a wide range of earlier-generation Cisco wireless products. Progent can also assist organizations to evaluate the business case for upgrading legacy wireless technology and can help in planning and carrying out cost-effective, seamless migrations. The following are a few of Cisco legacy wireless devices that Progent's consultants still support.
Legacy Cisco Aironet Access Points
Cisco Aironet 1000 or 1130AG Series wireless access points are designed for conventional workplaces and similar locations which have minimal environmental instability. These devices include integrated antennas that provide dependable omnidirectional coverage profiles. The Cisco 1130G family product is available for regulated domains that do not permit 802.11a operation.
Cisco Aironet 1230AG or 1240AG Series APs are intended for more difficult RF environments like factories or above suspended ceilings which commonly call for adjustable protruding antennas and rugged metal cases. The Cisco Aironet 1240G Series AP is available for controlled domains that do not allow 802.11a operation.
Cisco Aironet 1500 lightweight outdoor mesh access points provide a cost-effective, scalable, secure outdoor Wi-Fi technology for enterprise campuses and for public venues that need connectivity for portable phones or computers.
Legacy Cisco Wireless Bridges
Cisco wireless bridges provide a high-speed and multi-featured technology for integrating numerous local area networks in a metropolitan situation or public access environment. Cisco wireless LAN bridges offer a versatile, easy-to-use technology that satisfies the protection requirements of public networking specialists. These devices handle both P2P and PTMP implementations with excellent coverage and support for traffic rates up to 54 Mbps.
Cisco Aironet wireless bridges deliver data rates significantly faster than E1/T1 links for a fraction of the cost, erasing the requirement for expensive leased lines when connecting different buildings. Because bridges carry no periodic charges, savings on leased-line bills rapidly cover the startup equipment costs. Private lines and even leased lines using copper or optical cable often require very expensive initial expenses if they are impeded by barriers such as freeways, train tracks, or lakes and rivers. Cisco Aironet wireless bridges can be deployed quickly an offer a fast ROI.
Cisco Aironet 1300 family outside wireless access points/bridges can be deployed as independent access points, wireless bridges, or wireless group bridges. These appliances have a ruggedized cover and provide high-speed, affordable wireless connectivity between numerous fixed or mobile environments and users.
Cisco Aironet 1400 Series bridges provide fast, dependable outdoor connections for line-of-sight (LOS) applications. They are housed in an all-weather enclosure that can withstand severe outdoor conditions and function in wide temperature ranges.
Legacy Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco WLAN Controllers provide single-point management of WLANs by simplifying the handling of common functions such as integrated IPS, real-time RF management, zero touch deployment, and N+1 redundancy. Cisco Wireless controllers operate with lightweight APs to deliver superior throughput and high-end administration functions.
Cisco WLAN Controllers (WLCs) offer the control, expandability, security, and reliability that system managers require to build safe, large-scale wireless networks, from branch offices to small companies to main campuses. Cisco's first-generation Wireless Controllers can be configured together to provide accommodation for as many as 2400 wireless access points for each roaming domain.
Cisco's WLCM or WLCM-E Module for Integrated Services Routers offers small-to mid-size businesses and large corporations an affordable solution to implement and control secure WLANs at branch offices. These devices manage as many as twelve Aironet APs and are supported on 2800/3800 Routers and Cisco 3700 Series Integrated Services Routers. (To find out about Progent's remote and on-premises consulting services for Cisco routers, see Cisco router configuration and management consulting.)
How Progent Can Assist You with Cisco Wireless Solutions
Progent can provide access to a Cisco-certified CCIE consultant to assist you to plan, install, maintain and repair a converged wired and wireless ecosystem incorporating a broad range of wireless products that provide the same security, extensibility, and manageability you demand from a wired environment. Progent can help you to maintain early-generation Wi-Fi solutions from Cisco or upgrade efficiently to current 802.11ax-compatible products. Progent's CISM and CISSP security specialists can advise you about how to design protection into your WLAN and into your company's processes. Progent's disaster recovery planning consultants and business continuity planners can show you how to deploy the high availability features built into Cisco's wireless and wired products so your converged network provides non-stop return on investment.
Progent's Wireless Site Survey helps you to design and implement a robust wireless network customized for your facilities, providing a Wi-Fi ecosystem that provides seamless coverage, high speed and density, Quality of Service to handle IP voice and video, advanced security, and simplified management. Progent's Wi-Fi Site Survey can be performed online to cut time and costs, or onsite for more challenging environments.
For a more in-depth look at Progent's wireless consulting capabilities, see Progent's Wireless Network Expertise.
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