Introduction to of Cisco's Catalyst Family of 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E APs
Cisco's Catalyst family of 802.11ax (called W-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E) wireless access points build on previous generation 802.11ac (called Wi-Fi 5) access points by delivering less latency and more predictable operation, supporting increased client user density, having greater security, saving power for battery-dependent mobile client devices, and providing more versatility for handling different kinds of Internet-of-Things endpoints.

Progent's Cisco CCIE-certified wireless network infrastructure consultants can provide online or on-premises configuration and debugging services to help your organization to plan, configure, upgrade, optimize, administer and troubleshoot Catalyst wireless access point deployments of any size or architecture. Progent's Cisco wireless controller consultants can also assist you to combine your wireless ecosystem with your wired network and cloud-hosted resources to build a seamless enterprise connectivity foundation that is simple to manage and scale. Progent also can provide affordable wireless site surveys to assist you to determine the most appropriate selection, placement and configuration of Aironet wireless APs to accommodate your specific workplace layout, building structure, and expected network traffic.

Cisco Catalyst Wireless Access Points Consultants

Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Family of 802.11ax APs support the performance and density of the 802.11ax standard

Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Series 802.11ax wireless APs are intended for deployments ranging from telecommuter homes to crowded arenas. Catalyst 9100 APs are compliant with the 802.11ax specification, referred to as Wi-Fi 6, which in turn builds on the previous 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) specification. As an improvement to 802.11ac, Wi-Fi 6 is able to use both the 2.4-Ghz and 5-GHz radio bands. Important enhancements incorporated in Cisco 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 thresholds for more efficient spectrum use, and extended guard intervals for improved outdoor performance. All Cisco Catalyst 9100 Series wireless access points support Cisco's Embedded Wireless Controller, handle as many as 200 client users per radio, and are powered by Cisco IOS XE Software.

Catalyst 9105i Wireless AP Solution Design ConsultantsCisco's Catalyst 9105AXi Series wireless access point is a compact Wi-Fi 6 access point designed for operation by at-home workers or in small to medium size enterprises. The Catalyst 9105AXi AP supports 802.11a/b/g/n/acW2/ax and features dual 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios plus an IoT radio covering (BLE) 5.0 and Zigbee. The Catalyst 9105AXi AP supports 2x2:2 MU/SU-MIMO spatial streams and provides a combined top data rate of 1.2 Gbps. The Catalyst 9105AXi comes with a 10/100/1000 Base-T uplink port with Power over Ethernet 802.3at, an RJ-45 management interface, and a pair of 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 the EWC image activated, the 9105AXi AP allows you to manage up to 50 access points and 1,000 client users.

Catalyst 9105AXw Wireless Access Points Solution Design ExpertsCisco's Catalyst 9105AXw Series wireless AP is designed specially as a wall-mount appliance and is targeted at hospitality, dormitories, and other high-occupancy living spaces. The 9105AXw's capability is like the Cisco 9105AXi AP but has different antenna options and includes a set of interfaces not offered on the 9105AXi device. These include a 100/1000/2500 Base-T (Ethernet) uplink interface, three 10/100/1000 Ethernet downlink interfaces, a USB 2.0 interface, and a passthru interface. A Ethernet downlink interface supports 10.5W PSE Power Budget.

Catalyst 9115AX Wi-Fi 6 Access Points Solution Design ConsultantsCisco's Catalyst 9115AX Series Wi-Fi 6-certified LAN access point is designed for small to medium size businesses. Cisco's 9115AX Series AP supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax and incorporates three Wi-Fi radios as well as an IoT radio that supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.0. Cisco's 9115AX includes 4x4:4 + 4x4:4 spatial streams and delivers a combined maximum data rate of 5 Gbps. Cisco's Catalyst 9115AX comes with a fixed 100/1000/2500 Ethernet (RJ-45) uplink interface with Power-over-Ethernet 802.3at, an RJ-45 management interface, a USB 2.0 interface, integrated antennas, plus extra-cost external antennas. System memory includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash. With the EWC image installed, the Cisco 9115AX lets you manage as many as 50 access points and 1,000 clients.

Cisco Catalyst 9117 Wireless Access Points Solution Design ConsultantsThe Cisco Catalyst 9117AX Series LAN AP is targeted at small to medium size enterprises. The Wi-Fi 6 appliance works with the 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax standards and includes three Wi-Fi radios plus an Internet-of-Things (IoT) radio that supports (BLE) 5.0. The Cisco Catalyst 9117AX features 8x8 MIMO with eight spatial streams for the 5-GHz radio and band. Top aggregate throughput is 5 Gbps. Cisco's Catalyst 9117AX includes one 100/1000/2500/5000 Multigigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) uplink port with Power-over-Ethernet 802.3at, an RJ-45 console port, a USB 2.0 interface, and built-in internal antennas. RAM includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash. With EWC installed, the Catalyst 9117AX Series AP can manage as many as 50 APs and 1,000 clients.

Cisco Catalyst 9120 Wi-Fi 6 APs Solution Design ExpertsCisco's Catalyst 9120AX Series Wi-Fi 6 AP is intended for for mid-size to large enterprises. The Catalyst 9120AX complies with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax and includes four radios. Flexible Radio Assignment technology allows radios to work in 2.4-GHz/5-GHz mode or in Dual 5-GHz mode. An Internet-of-Things radio supports Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0. Cisco's 9120AX Series AP features 4x4:4 MU-MIMO spatial streams and supports a combined top data rate of 5.2 Gbps when both radios operate in 5-GHz client serving mode. Cisco's Catalyst 9120AX includes 100/1000/2500 Multigigabit Ethernet (RJ-45). The device also works with 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. Memory includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash memory. With EWC activated, the 9120AX Series AP can manage 100 access points and 2,000 client users.

Catalyst 9130AX Wi-Fi 6 APs Planning and Deployment ConsultantsCisco's Catalyst 9130AX Series Wi-Fi 6 access point is targeted at mid-size to large enterprises and high-density public environments like convention centers and stadiums. 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 Catalyst 9130AX access point can be split into two 4x4 radios. An Internet-of-Things radio supports Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0. Cisco's Catalyst 9130AX features a built-in 100/1000/2500/5000 Multigigabit Ethernet uplink interface and delivers an aggregate maximum data rate of 5.38 Gbps. The access point also works with PoE 802.3at and comes with an RJ-45 management console interface, a USB 2.0 port, and integrated internal antennas. The Catalyst 9130AX Series AP includes an intelligent antenna connector that gives you the versatility to configure an external antenna to handle challenging venues. 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 clients.

Catalyst 9136 Wi-Fi 6E Access Points Solution Design ConsultantsCisco's Catalyst 9136 Series is an innovative line of access points designed for enterprises looking for the enhanced speed, capacity, and security enabled by the 6-GHz spectrum addition defined by the Wi-Fi 6E standard. By opening up 1.2 GHz of uninterrupted and interference-free RF spectrum in the 6 GHz band, the Wi-Fi 6E standard supported by Cisco Catalyst 9136 Series access points more than doubles the spectrum that can be used by the latest Wi-Fi clients. Catalyst 9136 APs work with older generation 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax Wi-Fi clients operating in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands as well as the modern generation of 6 GHz Wi-Fi devices. Concurrent MU-MIMO spatial streams support up to 8x8:8 at 5 GHz and 4x4:4 at 2.4/6 GHz. Aggregate top performance rate is 10.2 Gbps. Also included are a Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0 radio for IoT and a scan radio. Internal antennas antennas support 2.4 GHz, 5-GHz, and 6 GHz operation. Catalyst 9136 access points have two integrated 5 Gbps Multigigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) Ethernet ports. Channel width is 20 MHz at 2.4 GHz 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's EWC on Catalyst 9100 Wi-Fi 6 APs
Cisco's Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC) is a software image running on Cisco IOS XE and available for most Catalyst 9100 wireless APs. Cisco's EWC includes most management functions, but not the scale, of Cisco's Catalyst 9800 family of Wi-Fi controller devices. APs running EWC can concurrently support Wi-Fi clients. (Catalyst 9105AXW APs can be members of an EWC network and service client users but cannot provide EWC management functions.) Cisco's EWC can be managed via Cisco DNA Center for multi-location deployments, or by means of a browser or mobile app for a single location. All Cisco DNA Center Automation and Assurance use cases are supported. Embedded Wireless Controller features include high availability by deploying active and standby controllers, software maintenance updates (SMUs) for live patching, auto configuration, Application Visibility and Control (AVC), and Flexible Radio Assignment.

How Progent's Engineers Can Assist Your Company with Catalyst 802.11ax APs
Progent can provide access to a Cisco-certified expert to help you to plan, deploy, manage and troubleshoot a Wi-Fi environment that incorporates Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Series Wi-Fi 6 APs. Progent can help you to maintain legacy wireless APs from Cisco or migrate efficiently to the latest Wi-Fi 6. Progent's Cisco wireless controller solutions consultants can assist you to determine whether your wireless environment should incorporate Cisco wireless controller appliances or can be managed with Cisco's virtual appliances and utilities such as Cisco's Embedded Wireless Controller.

Progent's CISM, CISSP, and ISSAP security specialists can show you how to design protection into your wireless network and your company's processes. Progent's disaster recovery consultants and business continuity planners can assist you to deploy the HA technology built into Cisco's wireless and wired products so your converged network provides significant return on investment.

Progent's Wi-Fi Site Survey assists you to design and implement a state-of-the-art wireless network customized for your facilities, providing a Wi-Fi ecosystem that provides comprehensive coverage, high performance and capacity, Quality of Service to accommodate IP video, enterprise-class security, and simplified management. Progent's Wireless Site Survey can be delivered online to cut time and expense, or on premises for more challenging situations.

For additional information concerning Progent's consulting support for Cisco technology, select a subject: Contact Progent for Help with Catalyst 802.11ax Access Points
To find out more about Progent's support for planning, integrating, maintaining and debugging a wireless deployment incorporating Cisco Catalyst 9100 Series 802.11ax APs, call 1-800-993-9400 or visit Contact Progent.