Cisco has developed an extensive portfolio of wireless networking products and technologies engineered to enable continual connections to data and other resources and to promote collaboration among employees, associates, suppliers, and customers. Cisco's wireless offerings include Cisco's Small Business, Aironet and Meraki lines of wireless access points, plus Cisco's Wireless LAN Controller modules and appliances. Progent's Cisco-certified wireless consulting experts can enable businesses of any size to deploy Cisco wireless technology to accommodate the new paradigm of BYOD networks by integrating their tethered and untethered networks to benefit from easy configuration, consistent and fast performance, single-point management, enterprise-wide policy, fault tolerance, and across-the-board security.
Cisco's Unified Wireless solution can scale to as many as 18,000 access points with full Layer 3 mobility across central or offsite venues like business campuses, university auditoriums, branches, and home offices. Cisco's Wi-Fi wireless access points and controllers are part of Cisco's Unified Wireless Network and are designed to deliver the identical level of security, performance, and ease of management for wireless networks that businesses expect in their wired ecosystem. This technology incorporates built-in mobility services such as IP voice, IP video, and safe guest access. Cisco's Unified Wireless Network architecture allows organizations to create wireless ecosystems that improve the way they work and enhance productivity via a mobile and collaborative workforce.
Progent's Cisco CCIE network infrastructure consultants can provide remote or onsite support to help you to design, configure, manage, upgrade, and troubleshoot converged wired/wireless network infrastructure of all sizes and for any venue. Also, Progent can provide value-priced online and on-premises wireless site surveys to help you to design and deploy a wireless LAN with customized AP clusters optimized for your specific work area layout, building characteristics, and intended application.
Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst Wireless Access Points (APs)
Cisco's Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst lines of access points allow organizations to converge wired/wireless networks to provide the coverage, capacity, throughput, security and ease of management required for practically any scenario. Cisco's access points start at bare bones, single-radio 802.11b/g/n units with throughput of 300 Mb intended for small businesses or telecommuters to 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) wireless access points suitable for handling hundreds of wireless clients per AP and delivering sustained data rates in excess of 5 Gbps. Cisco's current selection of APs can be clustered to deliver the capacity to handle wireless networks crowded with clients and with high usage rates of video-intense applications.
Small Business Series of Access Points
Cisco's Small Business 100, 300 and 500 Family of wireless access points are Linux-powered devices designed as entry-level Wi-Fi APs for light workloads. Many versions in Cisco's Small Business family of access points work with Cisco's Single Point Setup technology, which allows you to set up, control and troubleshoot a cluster of access points from one device via an intuitive browser-based interface. All of the versions include Power over Ethernet and feature QoS, rogue AP awareness, and bridge mode for connecting to another network.
The Cisco Small Business WAP121 Wireless-N AP is a wallmount, single-radio 2.4GHz unit that can handle 16 active 802.11n clients, has a Fast Ethernet port, permits up to four AP devices and 40 active wireless clients per cluster, and supports data rates of 300 Mbps. Cisco's Small Business WAP131 is a desktop dual-radio 802.11a/b/g/n AP able to handle 16 active clients on each radio for up to 32 wireless clients, features a Gigabit Ethernet interface, and delivers throughput of 300 Mbps for each radio. The WAP131 does not support AP clustering. The Cisco Small Business WAP150 is an entry-level dual-radio AC/n AP that features a 1xGE Poe port and can handle up to 16 clients per radio with 867 Mbps performance for 802.11ac clients and 300 Mbps for 802.11n devices. The Cisco Small Business WAP150 supports four APs for each cluster.
The Cisco Small Business WAP321 Wireless-N model is a wall-mountable single-band (2.4 or 5 GHz) 802.11n device that can handle up to 80 active wireless clients in an 8-AP cluster. The WAP321 includes a Gigabit Ethernet interface and can support a data rate of 300 Mbps for the selected radio. Cisco's WAP351 is a dual-band 2.4/5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n wireless access point with a 5-port Gigabit Ethernet interface and can handle 32 wireless clients on each radio for a total of up to 64 active clients, and deliver a data rate of 300 Mbps for each radio. The WAP351 AP does not allow clustering. The Cisco Small Business WAP361 is a dual-band 2.4/5 GHz Wireless-AC/N AP that features a 5-port Gigabit Ethernet LAN switch, can support 32 active WLAN clients per radio, and offers 867 Mbps throughput for wireless AC devices and 300 Mbps performance for 802.11n devices. Cisco's WAP361 allows 8 access points for each cluster. Cisco's wallmount Small Business WAP371 Wireless-AC/N is a dual-radio AP that works with 802.11a/b/g/n and the latest 802.11ac IEEE specification. The WAP371 Wireless-AC/N has a Gigabit Ethernet port, can handle up to 32 active wireless clients on each radio, and 8 access points for each cluster.
The Cisco Small Business WAP561 Wireless-N Selectable Band wireless access point includes one GE port and two radios (2.4 and 5.0 GHz) that deliver 450 Mbps performance for each radio, support 64 devices for each radio, and allow 16 access points for each cluster. The Cisco WAP551 is like the WAP 561 but features a single radio selectable band (2.4 or 5.0 GHz). Cisco's Small Business WAP571 and WAP571E (the weather-proof outside version) are dual-radio 802.11ac access points incorporating two Gb Ethernet interfaces with link aggregation (LAG), and as high as 1.9 Gbps performance with 1300 Mbps over 802.11ac and 600 Mbps on 11n. Both wireless access points can handle 32 clients on each radio and 16 APs per cluster.
Cisco's Small Business WAP581 Wireless-AC Dual Radio Wave 2 AP complies with the 802.11ac specification and offers 4x4 and 3x3 MU-MIMO technology to provide 2.8 Gbps data rates on the 5.0-Ghz radio and 0.6 Gbps at 2.4 GHz for a total top throughput of 2.4 Gbps. The Small Business WAP581 includes a fixed 2.5G Ethernet port and a 10/100/1000 Ethernet interface with 802.3at Power over Ethernet. The WAP581 Wave 2 Wi-Fi 5 AP can handle up to 200 connective client users, up to 50 active users per radio, 16 access points for each cluster, and 960 active users per cluster.
To learn more about Progent's consulting services for current and older Cisco Small Business family of WiFi APs, see Cisco Small Business wireless APs consulting services.
The Aironet Line of Access Points
Cisco's Aironet line of indoor and outdoor wireless APs has consistently been the top-selling AP product. Aironet wireless access points run the gamut from entry-level devices to advanced units. The Aironet series cover several generations of devices supporting the continually improving 802.11x Wi-Fi specification. The current line of Aironet wireless access points work with Cisco's Unified Wireless Network architecture and include 802.11ac Wi-Fi support, which delivers triple the performance plus superior range and user density compared to the previous generation of APs. Cisco's latest dual-frequency Aironet access points continue to support 802.11n at 2.4 GHz for clients that do not have 802.11ac radios.
The earliest Aironet APs are outdated devices that have come to end-of-life status and are not supported by Cisco. Progent still offers support for the entire Aironet line of access points and can help you to manage and troubleshoot your current Aironet wireless system or upgrade cost effectively to the latest Aironet technology. For more information about Progent's support for both current and legacy Aironet wireless access points, see Cisco Aironet wireless access points consulting services.
Meraki Wireless Access Points
Cisco's portfolio of Meraki dual-band indoor access points include budget-friendly models for small businesses to advanced products supporting up to 5.9 Gbit/sec throughput. Each Cisco Meraki indoor wireless access point offers next-generation capabilities such as plug-and-play installation, in-depth protection, BYOD support, built-in traffic analysis, zero-touch web-based updates, and consolidated cloud-based management for multiple sites. Every Cisco Meraki indoor AP also incorporates dual powerful radios with boosted reception plus a separate radio that offers (WIDS/WIPS) security for RF analysis and deep packet inspection.
Cisco's Meraki outdoor wireless access points are IP67 rated, designed to operate in rugged outdoor conditions, and able to withstand dust particles, vibration and humidity. Cisco's Meraki outdoor APs include a 1 x Gbit Ethernet port and deliver advanced capabilities that include cloud management with network-wide visibility and control, 802.1X integration, built-in antivirus scan, 1-click guest access and guest isolation firewall, Layer 7 traffic shaping, plus auto-configuring mesh with MIMO and beamforming. For more information about Progent's support for Cisco's Meraki wireless access points and management tools, refer to Meraki wireless access points system design and troubleshooting.
Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Series Wi-Fi 6 and W-Fi 6E Access Points
Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Series 802.11ax wireless access points are designed for deployments ranging from telecommuter homes to high-density stadiums. Cisco Catalyst 9100 APs are based on the 802.11ax standard, referred to as Wi-Fi 6, which is an evolution of the previous 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard. Unlike 802.11ac, Wi-Fi 6 is designed to utilize both the 2.4-Ghz and 5-GHz bands. Headline technologies incorporated in Catalyst 9100 Series access points include MU-MIMO support for uplink traffic, dual NAVs for improved reliability, increased device sleep time for conserving power consumption in battery-powered endpoints, adaptive power and sensitivity thresholds for better spectrum use, and extended guard intervals for improved outdoor performance. Cisco Catalyst 9100 Series Wi-Fi 6 access points support Cisco's EWC, handle as many as 400 clients per Wi-Fi radio, and are powered by Cisco IOS XE Software.
Cisco's Catalyst 9160 Series Wi-Fi 6E access points are the first Cisco access points with the flexibility of being monitored and managed on-site with Cisco DNA Center or through the cloud by using Meraki management tools. This allows organizations to transition to cloud-centric or hybrid deployments on their own schedule. All Catalyst 916x access points comply with the a/b/g/n/ac/ax and 6E wireless standards and support the 6-GHz band. Each AP has 5 radios and supports up to 400 clients per radio. Every model also contains a dedicated radio for Cisco CleanAir Pro for reducing interference, has a USB 2.0 port, and offers Bluetooth Low Energy. Cisco's entry-level Catalyst 9162 Series AP is intended for small businesses, incorporates three 2x2 radios, and includes 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet support.
Cisco's Catalyst 9163E Wi-Fi 6E AP is intended for harsh outside deployments such as campuses or stadiums. The 9163E comes with three client serving 2x2 radios, one IoT radio, and a tri-band scanning radio. Interfaces include 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G Multigigabit Ethernet, a management console port (RJ-45), 4x N-Type Wi-Fi antenna connectors, and a GPS/GNSS antenna connector. The AP works with Omnidirectional Dipole Self-Identifying Antennas. The Catalyst 9164 Series AP is designed for small and middle-size enterprises, includes one 2x2 radio and two 4x4 radios, and offers 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet support. The Catalyst 9166 Series AP is suited for large and mid-sized organizations, incorporates three 4x4 radios, and offers 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G/5G mGig Ethernet connectivity. The 9166 also comes with environmental sensors to track air quality, temperature, and humidity. To find out more about Progent's support for Catalyst 9100 Series Wi-Fi 6/6E 802.11ax Access Points, refer to Wi-Fi 6/6E APs solution design, deployment, and debugging services.
Cisco 9800 Series 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers
Catalyst 9800 line of Wi-Fi 6-compatible wireless controller appliances allow you to automate and manage modern Wi-Fi networks that support 802.11ax APs. 802.11ax, aka Wi-Fi 6, builds on previous generation 802.11ac (referred to as Wi-Fi 5) devices by delivering less latency and more predictable performance, supporting higher client user density, offering enhanced security, conserving energy for battery-powered mobile devices, and allowing more versatility for supporting new types of Internet-of-Things endpoints. Cisco's Catalyst 9800 family wireless controllers include high availability with transparent software updates, hot fixes, and the ability to connect additional wireless APs without disruption of service. Advanced cybersecurity features include Cisco Wireless Intrusion Prevention System (WIPS), secure boot, and Software-Defined Access. Streaming telemetry permits you to monitor and understand infrastructure and endpoint health.
All controllers in the Catalyst 9800 family are based on Cisco's IOS XE Software and work with Cisco's DNA Center or Cisco Prime Infrastructure management platforms. Cisco's Catalyst 9800 wireless network controllers can support Cisco Aironet 802.11ac Wave 1 and Wave 2 Wi-Fi access points as well as Cisco Catalyst 9100 Wi-Fi 6 Wi-Fi access points. To find out more about Progent's support for Cisco 9800 line of Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers, refer to Cisco Catalyst 9800 family of Wi-Fi 6 wireless controller appliances system design, deployment, and debugging consulting.
Cisco Wi-Fi 5 802.11ac Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco Wave 2 Wi-Fi controllers allow realtime communication, deployment, control, analysis and troubleshooting for Cisco wireless devices and services. Cisco has developed both hardware and virtual Wi-Fi controllers for unified management of WiFi environments, but networks with a large number of wireless access points are better served by hardware-based Wi-Fi controllers. Wave 2 Wi-Fi controller devices from Cisco deliver major advantages over Wave 1 and older models such as higher performance, simultaneous support for both 1G and 10G interfaces, improved application visibility and control (AVC), and hardened, built-in protection.
The Cisco 3504 WiFi Controller is an entry-level appliance with a desktop body and intended for small and medium-sized organizations. You can use the 3504 model in a centralized network architecture such as in small branch and home-based offices managed across the WAN via Cisco FlexConnect, or in bridge deployments where wiring is limited. The 3504 wireless controller supports up to 150 WiFi access points and 3,000 clients, delivers 4 Gbps performance, and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. The 3504 controller includes a multi-gigabit Ethernet interface and four 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports. APs can be attached directly to the controller via two Power over Ethernet ports. The 3504 Wi-Fi controller offers fast failover for access points and users, which allows uninterrupted availability for applications. As with other current Wave 2 wireless controllers from Cisco, the 3504 model has the integrated ability to communicate with Cisco Prime Infrastructure, Cisco Mobility Services, and Cisco 5520 and 8540 wireless controllers.
Cisco's 5520 Wireless Controller, offered in a 1RU enclosure, is intended for larger enterprises and campus networks and can be run in centralized, distributed, and mesh deployments. The 5520 Wi-Fi controller supports as many as 1,500 access points and 20,000 clients, offers 20 Gbps performance, and supports 4,096 VLANs. The 5520 WiFi controller features two 10 GE ports and features solid-state storage, redundant fans, optional redundant power supplies, and subsecond failover for nonstop availability.
The Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller, offered in a 2RU package, is a top-of-the-line wireless controller intended to support enterprises, service providers, and large campuses. The 8540 Wireless controller can be run in centralized, distributed, and mesh deployments and supports up to 6,000 access points and 64,000 clients. The 8540 Wireless controller offers data rates up to 40 Gbps and supports 4,096 VLANs. The 8540 controller comes with four 1-GB or 10GE ports and features solid-state storage, redundant power supplies, backup fans, and rapid failover.
Wave 1 Cisco WiFi Network Controllers
Cisco wireless controllers reduce the effort and expense required to deploy, manage, and operate Wi-Fi networks by offering single-point control of functions such as provisioning APs, applying consistent policies throughout converged wired and wireless networks, supporting enterprise-wide Quality of Service for IP voice and HD video, monitoring and optimizing system performance, activating wireless intrusion prevention system (wIPS) capabilities to defend against cyber break-ins and Distributed Denial of Service attacks, and managing IPv6 and dual-stack clients. Cisco has designed wireless LAN controllers for organizations of all sizes and can provide standalone desktop appliances, modular add-on wireless controllers for Cisco ISR routers and switches, and switches with integrated wireless LAN controllers.
Cisco's Wave 1 WiFi LAN controllers incorporate Cisco CleanAir technology to avoid signal interference and create self-healing and self-optimizing wireless networks for maximum 802.11n and 802.11ac performance and protection. Built-in Apple Bonjour Gateways enable discovery throughout the enterprise for Apple-based applications. For fault tolerance, Cisco wireless controllers support AP and client stateful switchover by permitting a standby HA controller to synch with a primary controller for access point license tabulation, CAPWAP keys, and AP CAPWAP state. In case the main controller fails, thousands of APs and wireless clients can switchover immediately to the backup wireless network controller.
Cisco's Wireless Controller Module for ISR G2 Routers with UCS-E provides entry-level 802.11n and 802.11ac capability for Cisco 2900 and 3900 routers deployed by small to medium-sized businesses and branch offices. This affordable and scalable solution can support from five to 200 wireless access points and as many as 6000 wireless clients. (For information about Progent's remote and onsite consulting support services for Cisco routers, see Cisco router deployment and management services.)
Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series are 1RU switches designed for SMBs and branches and have an integrated wireless controller with the capability to support up to 40 Gb of wireless capacity for each switch and up to 25 APs and 1000 wireless clients per switch. Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series are 1RU switches intended for mid-size and large organizations and feature a built-in wireless network controller supporting up to 40 Gb of wireless throughput on each switch and the ability to handle 50 APs and up to 2000 clients. The WiSM2 is an add-in blade for Catalyst 6500 Series switches that include an integrated wireless LAN controller designed for mid-to-large size businesses and capable of 20 Gbps throughput and with support for up to 1000 wireless access points and 15,000 clients. (To find out concerning Progent's support for Cisco Catalyst switches, refer to Cisco Catalyst switches deployment and troubleshooting support.)
Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controllers are value-priced desktop appliances that simplify the deployment and management of Wi-Fi LANs for small and midsize businesses and branch offices. The 2500 Series wireless network controller can manage 5 to 75 wireless access points and up to 1000 wireless clients and can deliver sustained performance of up to 1 Gbps.
Cisco's 5500 Series Wireless Controller is an expandable 1RU appliance designed for medium-sized to large enterprises and campuses and can support 500 wireless access points and 7,000 wireless clients while delivering 8 Gbps performance. Cisco's 5760 Wireless Controller is a 1RU device designed for mid-to-large campus environments with the ability to manage up to 1000 wireless access points and 12,000 wireless clients and offering performance of 60 Gbps to handle high client densities and high amounts of media-rich applications.
Cisco's Flex 7500 Wireless Controller is intended to enable centralized management of thousands of wireless remote sites from one location, eliminating the requirement for a wireless controller at every branch. The 1RU Flex 7500 appliance lets you establish a private cloud to configure, track, manage, and repair as many as 6000 wireless access points and up to 64,000 clients while supporting 1 Gbps performance. The Cisco 8500 Wireless Controller is a 1RU appliance designed to manage wireless environments for very large campuses or for service providers and can scale to handle up to 6000 wireless points and up to 64,000 wireless clients while offering 10 Gbps performance.
To learn more about Cisco wireless controllers, see Cisco wireless controllers consulting services.
Legacy Cisco APs, LAN Bridges and Wi-Fi Controllers Supported by Progent
The introduction of the IEEE 802.11ac standard for wireless connectivity largely made obsolete the earlier releases of Wi-Fi products for venues that have high densities of clients and high usage of HD video applications. Even for organizations who do not currently require the performance of 802.11ac, a large number of Cisco wireless products have arrived at end-of-sale or end-of-support status, which can represent significant maintenance and compliance issues. Progent's Cisco-certified consultants provide remote and onsite support for a wide array of earlier-generation Cisco wireless products. Progent can also help companies to evaluate the potential ROI for upgrading up-of-date wireless technology and can help in planning and executing cost-effective, seamless migrations. The following are a few of Cisco legacy wireless products that Progent's consultants still support.
Legacy Cisco Aironet APs
Aironet 1000 or 1130AG Series access points are designed for conventional workplaces and similar locations which have little environmental variability. These devices include built-in antennas that offer dependable radio coverage profiles. The Aironet 1130G family WAP is designed for regulated domains that do not allow 802.11a transmission.
Cisco Aironet 1230AG or 1240AG family access points are designed for more challenging RF situations like manufacturing plants and warehouses or above ceiling structures which often require adjustable external antennas and durable cases. The Cisco 1240G family access point is intended for restricted locations that do not allow 802.11a transmission.
Aironet 1500 lightweight outdoor mesh access points offer an affordable, scalable, secure outdoor wireless mechanism for campus areas and for public sites that require access for portable phones or computers.
Legacy Cisco Aironet Wireless Bridges
Cisco wireless bridges offer a high-throughput and multi-featured solution for integrating numerous LANs in a metropolitan situation or public wireless network. Cisco Aironet bridges offer a versatile, manageable solution that meets the security demands of WAN specialists. They manage both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint implementations with good coverage and the ability to handle data throughput as high as 54 Mbps.
Cisco wireless LAN bridges deliver throughput dramatically higher than E1/T1 connections for far less expense, doing away with the necessity of expensive leased lines when connecting different buildings. Since wireless bridges require no recurring costs, the expenses saved on leased-line services rapidly pay for the initial equipment investment. Private lines and even leased lines using copper or optical cable often result in very expensive initial expenses if they are separated by barriers like highways, train tracks, or bodies of water. Cisco wireless LAN bridges can be installed quickly an offer a fast return on investment.
Cisco Aironet 1300 outside wireless access points/bridges can be implemented as independent wireless access points, bridges, or wireless group bridges. These products have a durable cover and offer fast, affordable wireless interfaces between numerous fixed or mobile networks and clients.
Cisco 1400 Series bridges offer high-speed, dependable outdoor connections for LOS environments. These devices are housed in a durable cover that is optimized for harsh outside environments and operate within wide temperature ranges.
Legacy Cisco Wireless Network Controllers
Cisco Wireless Network Controllers centralize the management of WLANs by streamlining the handling of key functions such as intrusion prevention, real-time RF control, automatic configuration, and N+1 redundancy. Wireless LAN controllers operate with small wireless access points to offer superior performance and high-end control functions.
WLAN Controllers offer the manageability, scalability, protection, and dependability that system managers require to create safe, large-scale wireless environments, from satellite locations to small companies to headquarter campuses. Cisco's first-generation Wireless Controllers can be configured together to provide accommodation for as many as 2400 access points for each roaming domain.
Cisco's WLCM or WLCM-E Module for Integrated Services Routers provides small-to mid-size businesses and enterprises a cost effective way to implement and control protected wireless LANs at satellite locations. These wireless LAN controllers supervise up to a dozen Aironet wireless access points and are supported on 2800/3800 Series Integrated Services Routers and 3700 Series Routers. (To learn concerning Progent's online and on-premises consulting support for Cisco routers, refer to Cisco router deployment and troubleshooting consulting.)
How Progent's Consultants Can Help You with Cisco Wireless Products
Progent can provide a Cisco-certified consulting professional to assist your business to plan, install, maintain and repair a converged wired/wireless ecosystem incorporating a wide array of wireless products that offer the identical security, expandability, and ease of management you expect from your wired network. Progent can help you to manage legacy Wi-Fi products from Cisco or migrate seamlessly to current 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 technology. Progent's CISM, CISSP, and ISSAP security specialists can advise you about how to build protection into your WLAN and your company's processes. Progent's disaster recovery consultants and business continuity planners can help you to configure the high availability (HA) features built into Cisco's wireless and wired technologies so your converged network delivers non-stop return on investment.
Progent's Wi-Fi Site Survey helps you to design and deploy a robust WLAN optimized for your environment, offering a Wi-Fi solution that delivers seamless coverage, high speed and capacity, QoS features to support IP video, advanced security and compliance, and simplified management. Progent's Wireless Site Survey can be performed online to cut time and expense, or onsite for more difficult facilities.
For a more in-depth look at Progent's wireless consulting services, see Progent's Wireless LAN Consulting Services.
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