Introduction to of Cisco's Catalyst Line of Wi-Fi 6/6E APs
Cisco's Catalyst family of 802.11ax (referred to as W-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E) wireless access points build on previous generation 802.11ac (aka Wi-Fi 5) access points by delivering lower delay and more consistent operation, allowing higher client density, providing greater cybersecurity, conserving power for battery-dependent handheld client devices, and offering more versatility for supporting new types of Internet-of-Things endpoints.

Progent's Cisco CCIE-certified wireless infrastructure consultants can provide online or on-premises configuration and debugging support to help you to design, implement, update, optimize, administer and troubleshoot Catalyst Wi-Fi access point environments of any scale or architecture. Progent's Cisco Wi-Fi controller experts can also help you to combine your wireless environment with your wired network and cloud-based resources to build an enterprise-wide connectivity foundation that is simple to administer and expand. Progent also offers affordable wireless site surveys to help you to decide the most efficient selection, location and configuration of Aironet Wi-Fi access points to work with your specific workplace layout, construction, and anticipated network traffic.

Cisco Catalyst Wireless Access Points Experts

Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Family of Wireless access points deliver the performance and capacity of the 802.11ax standard

Cisco's Catalyst 9100 line of Wi-Fi 6 APs are intended for deployments ranging from telecommuter homes to crowded stadiums. Cisco Catalyst 9100 access points are compliant with the 802.11ax specification, referred to as Wi-Fi 6, which in turn builds on the preceding 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard. As an improvement to 802.11ac, Wi-Fi 6 is able to utilize both the 2.4-Ghz and 5-GHz radio bands. Headline technologies incorporated in Catalyst 9100 Series access points include MU-MIMO support for uplink traffic, dual NAVs for better reliability, Target Wake Time for reduced power consumption in battery-dependent endpoints, adaptive sensitivity thresholds for more efficient spectrum use, and extended guard intervals for improved outdoor performance. All Catalyst 9100 Series 802.11ax APs support Cisco's EWC, handle up to 200 client users per radio, and are powered by Cisco IOS XE Software.

Catalyst 9105i Wi-Fi 6 Access Points Planning and Deployment ConsultantsCisco's Catalyst 9105AXi Series wireless AP is a low-profile Wi-Fi 6 access point designed for operation in home offices or in small to medium size organizations. The Catalyst 9105AXi supports 802.11a/b/g/n/acW2/ax and includes dual 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios and an Internet-of-Things (IoT) radio covering (BLE) 5.0 and Zigbee. Cisco's Catalyst 9105AXi device features 2x2:2 MU/SU-MIMO spatial streams and provides an aggregate top speed of 1.2 Gbps. The 9105AXi AP comes with one 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet uplink interface with PoE 802.3at, an RJ-45 management interface, and a pair of integrated 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 50 access points and 1,000 clients.

Catalyst 9105w Wireless Access Points Planning and Deployment ConsultantsCisco's Catalyst 9105AXw Series Wi-Fi access point is a wall-mount device and is targeted at hospitality, residence halls, and other high-occupancy dwellings. The 9105AXw's capability is similar to the 9105AXi access point but has special antenna options and features a set of interfaces not available 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 port. A Ethernet downlink interface supports 10.5W PSE Power Budget.

Catalyst 9115AX Wireless Access Points Solution Design ConsultantsThe Cisco Catalyst 9115AX Series Wi-Fi 6-supported LAN AP is intended for small to medium size organizations. The 9115AX supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax and incorporates three Wi-Fi radios plus an Internet-of-Things radio that supports Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0. Cisco's 9115AX Series AP features 4x4:4 + 4x4:4 spatial streams and supports an aggregate combined data speed of 5 Gbps. The Cisco Catalyst 9115AX includes one 100/1000/2500 Multigigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) port with PoE 802.3at, an RJ-45 management port, a USB 2.0 interface, built-in internal antennas, plus extra-cost external antennas. Memory includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash. With EWC installed, Cisco's 9115AX can manage up to 50 access points and 1,000 clients.

Cisco Catalyst 9117AX Wi-Fi 6 APs Planning and Deployment ConsultantsThe Cisco Catalyst 9117AX Series Wi-Fi AP is targeted at small to midsize enterprises. The Wi-Fi 6 device complies with the 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax standards and incorporates three Wi-Fi radios plus an Internet-of-Things radio covering (BLE) 5.0. Cisco's Catalyst 9117AX Series AP features 8x8 MIMO with eight spatial streams for the 5-GHz radio and band. Top aggregate performance is 5 Gbps. Cisco's Catalyst 9117AX includes one 100/1000/2500/5000 Ethernet (RJ-45) uplink interface with PoE 802.3at, an RJ-45 management console interface, a USB 2.0 port, and integrated internal antennas. RAM includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash. With EWC installed, the Catalyst 9117AX can manage as many as 50 APs and 1,000 client users.

Catalyst 9120AX Wi-Fi 6 APs Planning and Deployment ConsultantsCisco's Catalyst 9120AX Series Wi-Fi 6-certified AP is targeted at for mid-size to large networks. The Cisco Catalyst 9120AX complies with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax and incorporates four radios. Flexible Radio Assignment technology permits radios to operate in 2.4-GHz/5-GHz mode or in Dual 5-GHz mode. An IoT radio supports Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0. The Cisco 9120AX Series AP features 4x4:4 MU-MIMO spatial streams and delivers an aggregate top data rate of 5.2 Gbps when both radios operate in 5-GHz mode. The Cisco Catalyst 9120AX Series AP comes with 100/1000/2500 Ethernet (RJ-45). The access point also supports PoE 802.3at and comes with an RJ-45 management interface, a USB 2.0 interface, and built-in internal antennas. External antennas are optional. Memory includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash. With Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC) installed, the 9120AX can manage 100 APs and 2,000 clients.

Cisco Catalyst 9130AX Wireless Access Points Planning and Deployment ConsultantsCisco's Catalyst 9130AX Series Wi-Fi 6 AP is intended for mid-size to large networks and high-density public environments 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 device may be divided into two 4x4 Wi-Fi radios. An Internet-of-Things (IoT) radio supports (BLE) 5.0. Cisco's Catalyst 9130AX features a fixed 100/1000/2500/5000 Multigigabit Ethernet uplink interface and supports an aggregate maximum throughput of 5.38 Gbps. The device also works with PoE 802.3at and includes an RJ-45 management console port, a USB 2.0 port, and built-in internal antennas. The 9130AX Series AP includes an intelligent physical antenna connector that offers you the flexibility to set up an external antenna to accommodate challenging venues. Memory includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash memory. With EWC activated, the 9130AX Series AP can manage up to 100 APs and 2,000 client users.

Catalyst 9136 Wi-Fi 6E APs Planning and Deployment ExpertsCisco's Catalyst 9136 Series is an innovative family of APs designed for enterprises who need the enhanced speed, client density, and cybersecurity enabled by the 6-GHz spectrum expansion defined by the Wi-Fi 6E specification. By adding 1.2 GHz of uninterrupted and clean RF spectrum in the 6 GHz band, the Wi-Fi 6E standard supported by Cisco Catalyst 9136 Series access points delivers over twice the bandwidth available to the latest Wi-Fi clients. Catalyst 9136 access points work with legacy 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax Wi-Fi client devices operating in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands in addition to the newer 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 GHz and 6 GHz. Aggregate top data rate is 10.2 Gbps. Also included are a Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0 radio for IoT plus a scan radio. Internal antennas antennas allow 2.4 GHz, 5-GHz, and 6 GHz operation. Catalyst 9136 access points come with 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 consists of 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash. Power options include PoE, PoE+, and UPoE.

Cisco's EWC on Catalyst 9100 Series Wi-Fi 6 APs
Cisco's Embedded Wireless Controller is a software image running on Cisco IOS XE and available for most Catalyst 9100 Series wireless APs. Cisco's EWC includes the majority of functions, but not the scale, of Cisco's Catalyst 9800 Series Wi-Fi controller devices. APs running EWC can simultaneously service Wi-Fi clients. (Catalyst 9105AXW access points can join an EWC network and support client users but cannot run EWC functions.) Cisco's EWC can be managed via Cisco DNA Center for multi-site deployments, or by means of a browser or mobile app for single-site environments. All Cisco DNA Center Automation and Assurance use cases are available. Embedded Wireless Controller features include high availability by deploying active and standby controllers, software maintenance updates for live patching, automatic configuration, Application Visibility and Control, and Flexible Radio Assignment.

How Progent's Consultants Can Assist Your Business with Cisco Catalyst 802.11ax APs
Progent can provide a Cisco-certified consultant to help you to design, install, maintain and repair a wireless solution that includes 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 the latest Wi-Fi 6. Progent's Cisco Wi-Fi controller solutions experts can help you to determine whether your Wi-Fi network should include Cisco wireless controller appliances or can be managed with Cisco's virtual appliances and utilities like Cisco's Embedded Wireless Controller.

Progent's CISM and CISSP security specialists can advise you about how to build protection into your WLAN and your company's 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 network provides significant business value.

Progent's Wi-Fi Site Survey helps you to plan and implement a robust wireless network customized for your environment, providing a Wi-Fi ecosystem that provides comprehensive coverage, high speed and capacity, Quality of Service to handle IP video, enterprise-class security and compliance, and streamlined management. Progent's Wireless Site Survey can be performed remotely to cut time and costs, or onsite for more challenging situations.

To see more information about Progent's engineering help for Cisco technology, choose a subject: Contact Progent for Help with Cisco Catalyst 802.11ax Access Points
To find out more about Progent's support for planning, integrating, maintaining and troubleshooting a Wi-Fi solution based on Cisco Catalyst 802.11ax APs, call 1-800-993-9400 or visit Contact Progent.