Overview of Cisco's Catalyst Series Wi-Fi 6/6E APs
Cisco's Catalyst line of 802.11ax (called Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E) access points improve on previous generation 802.11ac (aka Wi-Fi 5) APs by delivering less latency and more predictable operation, allowing increased client user density, providing tighter security, conserving energy for battery-based handheld devices, and offering more configurability for handling new types of Internet-of-Things endpoints.

Progent's Cisco CCIE wireless network consultants offer online or on-premises configuration and troubleshooting support to help your organization to plan, implement, upgrade, optimize, manage and debug Catalyst wireless AP deployments of any size or topology. Progent's Cisco wireless controller experts can also help you to integrate your wireless environment with your wired network infrastructure and cloud-based resources to create an enterprise-wide connectivity foundation that is simple to manage and scale. Progent also offers affordable wireless site surveys to assist you to decide the most efficient selection, placement and configuration of Aironet Wi-Fi APs to accommodate your unique workplace layout, construction, and anticipated workloads.

Cisco Catalyst 802.11ax APs Consultants

Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Family of Wi-Fi 6/6E access points deliver the throughput and density of the 802.11ax standard

The Catalyst 9100 family of Wi-Fi 6 access points are intended for environments ranging from home offices to high-density arenas. Catalyst 9100 APs are compliant with the 802.11ax standard, referred to as Wi-Fi 6, which is an evolution of the preceding 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard. Unlike 802.11ac, Wi-Fi 6 is designed to utilize both the 2.4-Ghz and 5-GHz radio bands. Important technologies supported by Catalyst 9100 Series access points include OFDMA scheduling for high density deployments, dual NAVs for improved reliability, increased device sleep time for conserving power usage in battery-dependent endpoints, adaptive power and sensitivity thresholds for better spectrum use, and dynamic fragmentation for reduced overhead. All Catalyst 9100 Wi-Fi 6 APs support Cisco's Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC), handle as many as 200 client users per radio, and are powered by Cisco IOS XE Software.

Cisco Catalyst 9105i Wireless Access Points Solution Design ConsultantsCisco's Catalyst 9105AXi Series Wi-Fi AP is a ceiling mount or desktop Wi-Fi 6 access point intended for operation in home offices or in small to midsize organizations. The Catalyst 9105AXi supports 802.11a/b/g/n/acW2/ax and includes dual 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios plus an IoT radio covering Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.0 and Zigbee. The Catalyst 9105AXi device supports 2x2:2 MU/SU-MIMO spatial streams and provides a combined maximum data rate of 1.2 Gbps. The 9105AXi AP includes a 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet uplink interface with Power over Ethernet 802.3at, an RJ-45 management console port, and two built-in antennas. Channel width for the 2.4 GHz radio is 20 MHz and 20/40/80 MHz for the 5 GHz radio. With EWC installed, the 9105AXi AP can manage 50 access points and 1,000 client users.

Catalyst 9105w Wi-Fi 6 APs Planning and Deployment ConsultantsThe Cisco Catalyst 9105AXw Series Wi-Fi access point is a wall-mount appliance and is targeted at hospitality, dormitories, and other multi-unit living spaces. The 9105AXw's capability is like Cisco's 9105AXi Wi-Fi access point but has special antenna profiles and features a variety of interfaces not offered on the 9105AXi device. These include a 100/1000/2500 Base-T (Ethernet) uplink interface, three 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet downlink interfaces, a USB 2.0 interface, and a passthru port. One downlink port has 10.5W PSE Power Budget.

Catalyst 9115AX Wireless Access Points Planning and Deployment ExpertsCisco's Catalyst 9115AX Series Wi-Fi 6-compliant LAN AP is designed for small to medium size businesses. The Cisco 9115AX supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax and incorporates three Wi-Fi radios plus an IoT radio that supports Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0. The Cisco 9115AX Series AP includes 4x4:4 + 4x4:4 spatial streams and supports an aggregate maximum data rate of 5 Gbps. Cisco's Catalyst 9115AX comes with one 100/1000/2500 Ethernet (RJ-45) uplink port with Power-over-Ethernet 802.3at, an RJ-45 management port, a USB 2.0 interface, integrated antennas, and optional external antennas. Memory includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash. With the EWC image installed, the Cisco 9115AX lets you manage as many as 50 APs and 1,000 client users.

Catalyst 9117AX Wi-Fi 6 APs Solution Design ConsultantsThe Cisco Catalyst 9117AX Series LAN AP is intended for small to medium size networks. The Wi-Fi 6 appliance works with the 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax standards and incorporates three Wi-Fi radios as well as an Internet-of-Things radio covering (BLE) 5.0. The Catalyst 9117AX Series AP features 8x8 MIMO with eight spatial streams for the 5-GHz band and 4x4:4 MIMO. Maximum combined data rate is 5 Gbps. Cisco's Catalyst 9117AX includes one 100/1000/2500/5000 Ethernet (RJ-45) port with PoE 802.3at, an RJ-45 management console interface, a USB 2.0 interface, and integrated internal antennas. RAM includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash. With Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC) activated, the Catalyst 9117AX can manage as many as 50 access points and 1,000 clients.

Catalyst 9120 Wireless Access Points Solution Design ConsultantsCisco's Catalyst 9120AX Series Wi-Fi 6 AP is intended for for mid-size to large enterprises. The Catalyst 9120AX supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax and includes four radios. Flexible Radio Assignment technology permits radios to operate either in 2.4-GHz/5-GHz mode or in Dual 5-GHz mode. An Internet-of-Things radio supports (BLE) 5.0. Cisco's 9120AX Series AP features 4x4:4 MU-MIMO and supports a combined max throughput of 5.2 Gbps when both Wi-Fi radios operate in 5-GHz client serving mode. Cisco's Catalyst 9120AX includes 100/1000/2500 Multigigabit Ethernet (RJ-45). The device also supports PoE 802.3at and comes with an RJ-45 management console port, a USB 2.0 interface, and integrated internal antennas. External antennas are optional. System memory includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash. With Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC) activated, the 9120AX Series AP can manage 100 APs and 2,000 clients.

Cisco Catalyst 9130AX Wireless APs Solution Design ExpertsCisco's Catalyst 9130AX Series Wi-Fi 6-certified AP is targeted at mid-size to large networks and dense public venues like convention centers and arenas. The Cisco Catalyst 9130AX supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax Wi-Fi and features 8x8:8 MU-MIMO spatial streams. External antennas on the 9130AX access point may be split into two 4x4 radios. An IoT radio supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.0. The Cisco Catalyst 9130AX features a fixed 100/1000/2500/5000 Multigigabit Ethernet uplink port and supports an aggregate top throughput of 5.38 Gbps. The device also supports PoE 802.3at and comes with an RJ-45 management console interface, a USB 2.0 port, and built-in internal antennas. The 9130AX AP includes a smart physical antenna connector that offers you the versatility to configure an external antenna to handle special environments. System memory includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash memory. With Embedded Wireless Controller installed, the 9130AX Series AP can manage up to 100 APs and 2,000 client users.

Catalyst 9136 Wi-Fi 6E Access Points Planning and Deployment ConsultantsCisco's Catalyst 9136 Series is an innovative family of access points targeted at enterprises who need the enhanced performance, client density, and cybersecurity brought about by the 6-GHz spectrum addition introduced with the Wi-Fi 6E specification. By opening up 1.2 GHz of contiguous and clean RF spectrum in the 6 GHz band, the Wi-Fi 6E standard supported by Cisco Catalyst 9136 Series APs delivers over twice the bandwidth available to earlier model Wi-Fi client devices. Catalyst 9136 access points support older generation 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax Wi-Fi devices operating in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands in addition to the modern generation of 6 GHz Wi-Fi clients. MU-MIMO spatial streams support up to 8x8:8 at 5 GHz and up to 4x4:4 at 2.4/6 GHz. Combined top throughput rate is 10.2 Gbps. Also included are a Bluetooth BLE 5.0 radio for IoT and a scan radio. Internal omnidirectional antennas support 2.4 GHz, 5-GHz, and 6 GHz operation. Catalyst 9136 access points have two integrated 5 Gbps mGig (RJ-45) Ethernet interfaces with redundant powering. Channel width is 20 MHz for the 2.4 GHz band and 20/40/80/160 MHz at 5/6 GHz. System memory includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash. Power options include PoE, PoE+, and UPoE.

Cisco Catalyst 9166 Wi-Fi 6E Access Point ConsultantsCisco's Catalyst 916x Series Wi-Fi 6E APs are the first Cisco access points that have the option to be managed either on-site with Cisco DNA Center or through the cloud by using Meraki management utilities. This enables businesses to move to cloud-centric or hybrid management environments at their own pace. All Catalyst 916x APs meet the a/b/g/n/ac/ax and 6E Wi-Fi standards and fully support the 6-GHz band. Each device includes 5 radios and supports a maximum of 400 clients per radio. Every model also contains a dedicated radio for Cisco CleanAir Pro for mitigating interference, has a USB 2.0 port, and offers Bluetooth Low Energy. The entry-level Catalyst 9162 Series AP is meant for small organizations, has three 2x2 radios, and includes 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet connectivity. The Catalyst 9164 Series AP is meant for small and middle-size organizations, has one 2x2 radio and two 4x4 radios, and features 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet support. The Catalyst 9166 Series AP is designed for large and medium-sized enterprises, has three 4x4 radios, and offers 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G/5G mGig Ethernet connectivity. The 9166 also includes environmental sensors that track air quality, temperature, and humidity.

Cisco's Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC) on Catalyst 9100 Series Wi-Fi 6 Access Points
Cisco's Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC) is a software image powered by Cisco IOS XE and offered on most Catalyst 9100 Series wireless access points. EWC includes the majority of management functions, but not the expandability, of Cisco's Catalyst 9800 Series Wi-Fi controller devices. APs running EWC can concurrently support Wi-Fi clients. (Catalyst 9105AXW APs can be part of an EWC LAN and support clients but are not able to run EWC management functions.) The Embedded Wireless Controller can be managed via Cisco DNA Center for multi-location networks, or by means of a browser or mobile app for single-site environments. All Cisco DNA Center Automation and Assurance features are supported. EWC features include high availability by deploying active and standby controllers, software maintenance updates (SMUs) for live patching, automatic setup, Application Visibility and Control (AVC), and Site Survey.

How Progent Can Help Your Company with Catalyst 802.11ax Access Points
Progent can provide a Cisco-certified expert to assist your business to plan, install, maintain and repair a Wi-Fi environment that incorporates Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Series Wi-Fi 6 access points. Progent can help you to support early-generation wireless access points from Cisco or migrate efficiently to current Wi-Fi 6. Progent's Cisco Wi-Fi controller solutions experts can assist you to determine whether your wireless network should incorporate Cisco wireless controller hardware or can be managed using Cisco's software-based management tools like the Embedded Wireless Controller.

Progent's CISA and ISSAP security consultants can show you how to design security into your wireless network and your business operations. Progent's disaster recovery planning consultants and business continuity planning consultants can assist you to configure the high availability technology incorporated into Cisco's wired/wireless technologies so your converged network provides non-stop return on investment.

Progent's Wireless Site Survey helps you to design and implement a robust WLAN customized for your environment, providing a Wi-Fi ecosystem that delivers comprehensive coverage, high speed and density, Quality of Service features to handle IP video, enterprise-class security, and simplified management. Progent's Wi-Fi Site Survey can be performed online to cut time and costs, or on premises to deal with more challenging situations.

For more details concerning Progent's engineering expertise for Cisco technology, pick a subject: Contact Progent for Expertise with Catalyst WiFi 5 and WiFi 6/6E Wireless Access Points
To learn more about Progent's support for planning, configuring, managing and debugging a Wi-Fi deployment incorporating Cisco Catalyst WiFi 5 and WiFi 6/6E access points, call 1-800-993-9400 or visit Contact Progent.