Introduction to of Cisco's Catalyst Line of 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 APs
The Cisco Catalyst line of 802.11ax (called W-Fi 6) wireless access points improve on prior generation 802.11ac (aka Wi-Fi 5) access points by offering less latency and more consistent performance, allowing higher client density, providing tighter security, conserving energy for battery-dependent handheld devices, and offering more versatility for handling new kinds of Internet-of-Things (IoT) endpoints.

Progent's Cisco CCIE-certified Wi-Fi consultantsCisco CCIE-certified Wi-Fi network infrastructure experts can provide online or on-premises integration and troubleshooting services to assist you to design, configure, update, optimize, manage and debug Catalyst Wi-Fi AP environments of any scale or architecture. Progent's Cisco wireless controller experts can also help you to integrate your Wi-Fi environment with your wired network infrastructure and cloud-based resources to build an enterprise connectivity foundation that is simple to administer and expand. Progent also offers affordable Wi-Fi site surveys to help you to decide the most efficient selection, placement and configuration of Aironet Wi-Fi APs to accommodate your unique office design, building structure, and expected network traffic.

Cisco Catalyst Wi-Fi 6 APs Consultants

Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Family of Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax access points deliver the throughput and scale of 802.11ax technology

The Catalyst 9100 family of Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax access points are designed for deployments ranging from telecommuter homes to crowded stadiums. Catalyst 9100 APs are compliant with the 802.11ax specification, referred to as Wi-Fi 6, which is an evolution of the preceding 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) specification. As an improvement to 802.11ac, Wi-Fi 6 is able to utilize both the 2.4-Ghz and 5-GHz bands. Headline enhancements incorporated in Cisco Catalyst 9100 Series access points include MU-MIMO support for uplink traffic, dual NAVs for improved dependability, increased device sleep time for conserving power consumption in battery-powered endpoints, adaptive power and sensitivity thresholds for better spectrum use, and dynamic fragmentation for reduced overhead. All Catalyst 9100 Series Wi-Fi 6 access points support Cisco's Embedded Wireless Controller, handle as many as 200 client users per Wi-Fi radio, and run on Cisco IOS XE Software.

Cisco Catalyst 9105i Wi-Fi 6 Access Points Planning and Deployment ConsultantsCisco's Catalyst 9105AXi Series Wi-Fi AP is a compact 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 supporting Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0 and Zigbee. Cisco's Catalyst 9105AXi device supports 2x2:2 MU/SU-MIMO spatial streams and provides an aggregate top data rate of 1.2 Gbps. The Catalyst 9105AXi includes a 10/100/1000 Base-T uplink interface with Power over Ethernet 802.3at, an RJ-45 management interface, and a pair of internal antennas. Channel width for the 2.4 GHz radio is 20 MHz and 20/40/80 MHz for the 5 GHz radio. With Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC) activated, the 9105AXi AP allows you to manage up to 50 APs and 1,000 clients.

Catalyst 9105w Wi-Fi 6 Access Points Solution Design ConsultantsThe Catalyst 9105AXw Series Wi-Fi access point is a wall-mount appliance and is intended for hospitality, dormitories, and other multi-unit dwellings. The 9105AXw's capability is like the 9105AXi Wi-Fi access point but has special antenna profiles and features a variety of ports not offered on the 9105AXi device. These include a 100/1000/2500 Base-T (Ethernet) uplink, three 10/100/1000 Ethernet downlink ports, a USB 2.0 interface, and a passthru interface. One Ethernet downlink port supports 10.5W PSE Power Budget.

Cisco Catalyst 9115AX Wi-Fi 6 Access Points Planning and Deployment ExpertsThe Cisco Catalyst 9115AX Series Wi-Fi 6-compliant LAN AP is intended for small to medium size businesses. The 9115AX supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax and incorporates three Wi-Fi radios plus an IoT radio that supports (BLE) 5.0. Cisco's 9115AX includes 4x4:4 + 4x4:4 spatial streams and supports a combined max data rate of 5 Gbps. The Cisco Catalyst 9115AX includes one 100/1000/2500 Ethernet (RJ-45) port with PoE 802.3at, an RJ-45 management interface, a USB 2.0 port, integrated antennas, plus extra-cost external antennas. Memory includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash. With the EWC image installed, the 9115AX can manage up to 50 access points and 1,000 clients.

Catalyst 9117 Wireless APs Planning and Deployment ConsultantsThe Cisco Catalyst 9117AX Series LAN AP is intended for small to midsize enterprises. The Wi-Fi 6 device 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 that supports (BLE) 5.0. Cisco's Catalyst 9117AX Series AP features 8x8 MIMO with eight spatial streams for the 5-GHz band and 4x4:4 MIMO. Top combined data rate is 5 Gbps. The Cisco Catalyst 9117AX Series AP includes one 100/1000/2500/5000 Multigigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) port with Power-over-Ethernet 802.3at, an RJ-45 management console interface, a USB 2.0 port, and built-in internal antennas. RAM includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash. With the EWC image installed, the Catalyst 9117AX Series AP can manage up to 50 access points and 1,000 client users.

Catalyst 9120 Wireless Access Points Planning and Deployment ExpertsCisco's Catalyst 9120AX Series Wi-Fi 6 access point is targeted at for medium to large enterprises. The Catalyst 9120AX complies with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax and includes four radios. Flexible Radio Assignment technology permits radios to run either in 2.4-GHz/5-GHz mode or in Dual 5-GHz mode. An Internet-of-Things radio supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.0. The Cisco 9120AX Series AP features 4x4:4 MU-MIMO spatial streams and supports an aggregate top throughput of 5.2 Gbps when both radios operate in 5-GHz mode. The Cisco Catalyst 9120AX Series AP comes with 100/1000/2500 Multigigabit Ethernet (RJ-45). The access point also supports PoE 802.3at and comes with an RJ-45 management port, a USB 2.0 port, and built-in internal antennas. External antennas are optional. System memory includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash. With the EWC image installed, the 9120AX can manage up to 100 APs and 2,000 client users.

Catalyst 9130 Wi-Fi 6 APs Solution Design ConsultantsCisco's Catalyst 9130AX Series Wi-Fi 6-certified access point is intended for medium to large networks and dense public venues like convention centers and arenas. The Cisco Catalyst 9130AX supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax and features 8x8:8 MU-MIMO. External antennas on the 9130AX AP can be split into two 4x4 Wi-Fi radios. An Internet-of-Things (IoT) radio supports Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0. Cisco's Catalyst 9130AX includes a built-in 100/1000/2500/5000 Ethernet (RJ-45) uplink interface and delivers a combined top data rate of 5.38 Gbps. The device also works with PoE 802.3at and comes with an RJ-45 management console interface, a USB 2.0 interface, and integrated internal antennas. The Catalyst 9130AX access point includes a smart physical antenna connector that offers you the flexibility to configure an external antenna to accommodate special deployments. System memory includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash memory. With EWC installed, the 9130AX Series AP can manage up to 100 APs and 2,000 clients.

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

How Progent's Consultants Can Help You with Cisco Catalyst Wi-Fi 6 Access Points
Progent can provide a Cisco-certified CCIE consultant to help you to plan, configure, maintain and repair a Wi-Fi solution that incorporates Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Wi-Fi 6 access points. Progent can assist you to support early-generation Wi-Fi APs from Cisco or migrate efficiently to current 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6. Progent's Cisco Wi-Fi controller solutions experts can help you to determine whether your wireless environment should incorporate Cisco wireless controller hardware or can be managed with Cisco's virtual appliances and utilities such as the Embedded Wireless Controller.

Progent's CISA and ISSAP security consultants can show you how to build security into your wireless network and into your business operations. Progent's disaster recovery consultants and business continuity planners can show you how to configure the high availability (HA) technology incorporated into Cisco's wireless and wired products so your converged infrastructure provides continuing business value.

Progent's Wi-Fi Site Survey helps you to design and implement a state-of-the-art WLAN customized for your environment, providing a Wi-Fi ecosystem that provides seamless coverage, high speed and density, Quality of Service features to support IP voice and video, enterprise-class security, and easy management. Progent's Wireless Site Survey can be performed online to cut time and costs, or on premises for more complex situations.

To learn additional information concerning Progent's consulting help for Cisco products, pick a topic: Contact Progent for Help with Catalyst Wi-Fi 6 APs
To learn more about Progent's consulting services for planning, installing, managing and debugging a Wi-Fi deployment based on Cisco Catalyst 802.11ax APs, call 1-800-993-9400 or visit Contact Progent.