Wireless Consulting Expertise

Cisco Catalyst Wi-Fi controllers streamline the administration of wireless networks by centralizing the configuration and management of wireless APs, tuning wireless throughput by mitigating the impact of RF congestion, improving Wi-Fi availability with fast zero-touch failover, and improving security by identifying threats and filtering content according to client class and location.

Catalyst Wi-Fi controllers operate with Cisco's Prime Infrastructure platform, which supports up to Wi-Fi 18,000 wireless access points and 64,000 clients. Cisco Wi-Fi controllers are available at prices and with features for environments from branch offices to large enterprises and campuses. Cisco Wave 2 Wi-Fi controllers and APs are engineered to provide the same degree of security, throughput and manageability that companies expect in their wired networks. Catalyst Wi-Fi controller technology incorporates integrated mobility services such as Voice over IP, high-definition video, and secure access for guests. Cisco's Prime Infrastructure allows you to create networks that seamlessly combine wired and Wi-Fi infrastructure into a centrally managed connectivity ecosystem that delivers maximum business value.

Progent's certified Wi-Fi experts can assist you to evaluate the benefits of using Catalyst wireless controllers to manage wireless deployments of any scale. Progent can help you to support and troubleshoot your existing wireless environment or help you design and carry out a smooth migration from outdated Wi-Fi controllers to modern models.

Progent's Cisco-certified Wi-Fi network experts can provide affordable remote consulting and troubleshooting across the U.S. and Canada to help you to deploy and manage wireless solutions. Progent can also provide onsite consulting in major metropolitan areas in the U.S. and in Toronto, Canada. In addition, Progent can provide economical online and onsite Wi-Fi site surveys to help you to plan and implement a Wi-Fi environment with optimal AP clustering to match your specific workplace layout, building structure, client density, and application workloads.

Cisco Wave 2 WiFi Network Controllers
Cisco Wave 2 Wi-Fi controllers allow fast data exchange, provisioning, management, analysis and troubleshooting for Cisco Wi-Fi appliances and services. Cisco has developed both physical and software-based Wi-Fi controllers for unified administration of WiFi environments, but systems with a large number of wireless access points typically require physical Wi-Fi controllers. Wave 2 Wi-Fi controller appliances from Cisco deliver major advantages in comparison to Wave 1 and earlier models such as greater performance, concurrent support for both 1G and 10G interfaces, improved application visibility and control, and hardened, integrated security.

The Cisco 3504 WiFi Controller is an entry-level appliance with a desktop body and designed for smaller organizations. You can install the 3504 in a centralized network environment such as in small branch and home-based offices managed over the wide-area network via FlexConnect, or in bridge deployments where wiring is limited. The 3504 wireless controller supports up to 150 access points and 3,000 client users, offers 4 Gbps throughput, and supports 4,096 VLANs. Cisco's 3504 WiFi controller includes a multi-gigabit Ethernet port and four 1-GB Ethernet interfaces. APs can be connected directly to the controller through two PoE ports. The 3504 wireless controller features subsecond failover for access points and users, which allows uninterrupted availability for applications. As with other Wave 2 wireless controllers available from Cisco, the 3504 device has the built-in ability to communicate with Cisco Prime Infrastructure, Cisco Mobility Services Engine, and Cisco 5520 and 8540 WiFi controllers.

Cisco's 5520 WiFi Controller, offered in a 1 rack unit enclosure, is designed to support larger enterprises and campus networks and can be used in centralized, distributed, and mesh architectures. The 5520 Wi-Fi controller can handle as many as 1,500 wireless APs and 20,000 client users, offers 20 Gbps performance, and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. The 5520 WiFi controller features two 10 GE interfaces and features solid-state storage, backup fans, optional backup power supplies, and subsecond failover for high availability.

Cisco's 8540 Wireless Controller, available in a 2 rack unit (RU) package, is a top-of-the-line WiFi controller intended to support enterprises, service providers, and large campuses. The 8540 Wireless controller can be used in centralized, distributed, and mesh deployments and can handle up to 6,000 access points and 64,000 client users. The 8540 Wireless controller offers data rates up to 40 Gbps and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. The 8340 comes with four 1-GB or 10GE interfaces and features SSD storage, backup power supplies, redundant fans, and subsecond failover.

Wave 1 Cisco WiFi Network Controllers
Cisco wireless network controllers cut the time and expense required to deploy, monitor, and troubleshoot Wi-Fi networks by centralizing control of critical tasks such as provisioning APs, enforcing single-point policies throughout wired/wireless networks, supporting enterprise-wide Quality of Service (QoS) for voice and HD video, tracking and troubleshooting system performance, activating security capabilities to guard 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 offers desktop or rackmount appliances, modular plug-in controllers for Cisco ISR routers and switches, and Catalyst switches with integrated wireless network controllers.

Cisco's Wave 1 wireless network controllers incorporate Cisco CleanAir tools to minimize RF interference and create self-optimizing wireless networks for top 802.11n and 802.11ac throughput and protection. Integrated Bonjour Gateways enable discovery across WLAN, LAN and WAN for Apple-based applications. For fault tolerance, Cisco wireless network controllers allow access point and client stateful failover by permitting a backup high-availability controller to synchronize with a primary controller for AP license tabulation, CAPWAP keys, and access point CAPWAP state. If the primary wireless controller fails, thousands of access points and clients can switchover at subsecond speeds to the secondary wireless LAN controller.

Cisco's Wireless Module for ISR Routers with UCS-E offers entry-level 802.11n and 802.11ac support for Cisco 2900 and 3900 routers deployed by small to medium-sized organizations and branches. This affordable and scalable module can support from five to 200 APs and as many as 6000 clients. (To find out about Progent's online and onsite consulting support for Cisco routers, see Cisco router deployment and troubleshooting consulting.)

Catalyst 3650 Series are 1RU form-factor switches intended for SMBs and branches and features a built-in wireless network controller with the ability to support up to 40 Gb of wireless throughput for each switch and 25 APs and 1000 wireless clients per switch. Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series are 1RU switches intended for mid-size and large organizations and include a built-in wireless LAN controller supporting 40 Gb of wireless throughput on each switch and support for 50 access points and up to 2000 wireless clients. The WiSM2 is a plug-in blade for Catalyst 6500 Series switches with a built-in wireless network controller intended for mid-to-large size enterprises and able to deliver 20 Gbps throughput and able to handle up to 1000 APs and as many as 15,000 wireless clients. (For information concerning Progent's support for Cisco Catalyst switches, refer to Cisco Catalyst switches configuration and management services.)

Cisco 2500 Wireless Controllers are entry-level desktop devices that simplify the deployment and operation of wireless networks for small and midsize businesses and branch offices. The Cisco 2500 Series wireless controller can manage from five to 75 access points and up to 1000 clients and can deliver throughput of 1 Gbps.

The Cisco 5500 Series Wireless Controller is a scalable 1RU appliance designed for mid-to-large sized enterprises and campuses and can support 500 wireless access points and 7,000 clients while providing 8 Gbps performance. The Cisco 5760 Series Wireless Controller is a 1RU device intended for mid-to-large campus environments with the ability to manage 1000 access points and 12,000 clients and delivering throughput of 60 Gbps to handle high wireless client densities and high usage of video-intensive applications.

The Cisco Flex 7500 Series Wireless Controller is intended to manage thousands of wireless branches from a single datacenter, avoiding the requirement for a Wi-Fi controller at each remote site. The 1RU rackmount Flex 7500 allows you to build a private cloud to deploy, track, maintain, and repair as many as 6000 access points and up to 64,000 wireless clients while handling 1 Gbps throughput. Cisco's 8500 Wireless Controller is a 1RU rackmount device designed to monitor and manage Wi-Fi networks for very large campuses or service providers and can scale to support up to 6000 wireless points and 64,000 wireless clients while offering 10 Gbps throughput.

Legacy Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers provide single-point management of WLANs by streamlining the handling of common technologies including integrated intrusion prevention system (IPS), fast RF control, automatic deployment, and N+1 redundancy. Wireless LAN controllers work with small wireless access points to deliver enhanced throughput and advanced administration capabilities.

Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) offer the manageability, scalability, protection, and fault tolerance that system managers require to create secure, large-scale wireless environments, from satellite locations to small companies to headquarter campuses. Cisco's legacy WLCs can be configured together to provide support for up to 2400 WAPs for each roaming domain.

The Cisco WLCM or WLCM-E Controller Module for IS Routers provides small-to mid-size businesses (SMBs) and enterprises a cost effective way to deploy and control secure wireless LANs at branch locations. These controllers manage as many as a dozen Cisco Aironet wireless access points and are installable in 2800/3800 IS Routers and 3700 Series Integrated Services Routers. (To find out about Progent's remote and onsite consulting services for Cisco routers, see Cisco router deployment and management services.)

How Progent's Consultants Can Assist You with Catalyst Wireless Controllers
Progent can provide access to a Cisco-certified consulting professional to assist you to design, deploy, manage and repair a converged wired and wireless environment incorporating a wide array of wireless products that offer the same security, expandability, and ease of management you demand from your wired environment. Progent can assist you to support early-generation Wi-Fi products from Cisco or upgrade seamlessly to the latest 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology. Progent's CISM and CISSP security consultants can advise you about how to build protection into your wireless network and into your company's processes. Progent's disaster recovery consultants and business continuity planners can help you to configure the HA technology built into Cisco's wireless and wired technologies so your converged infrastructure provides significant business value.

Progent's Wi-Fi Site Survey assists you to plan and deploy a state-of-the-art wireless network optimized for your facilities, offering a wireless ecosystem that provides seamless coverage, high performance and density, QoS to accommodate IP voice and video, advanced security and compliance, and simplified management. Progent's Wi-Fi Site Survey can be performed online to reduce time and costs, or on premises for more difficult facilities.

For a more in-depth discussion of Progent's wireless integration services, visit Progent's Wireless Support.

For details about Progent's consulting expertise for additional Cisco networking technology, select a topic:

• Overview of Cisco Expertise
• Fast Remote Help from a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Network Engineer
• Cisco Firepower NGFW Firewalls: Integration and Management Support
• Cisco ASA 5500-X Firewalls with Cisco Firepower: Configuration and Troubleshooting Expertise
• Cisco ASA 5500 Firewall Integration Support
• Cisco PIX 500 Series Firewall Management Services
• Cisco Routers Consulting Support
• Cisco Wireless Engineering Support
• Cisco Aironet Wireless APs Engineering Expertise
• Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 Wireless APs Engineering Help
• Catalyst 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6/6E APs Planning, Deployment and Debugging Consulting
• Cisco WiFi Controllers Consulting
• Cisco Meraki Wireless APs Design Services
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and Cisco CallManager Integration and Technical Support
• Cisco Voice over IP Phones and IP Video Phones Expertise and Wireless VoIP Phone Integration
• Cisco Jabber Deployment Services
• Catalyst Switches Consulting and Support Services
• Nexus Switches Consulting and Support Expertise
• Cisco Meraki MS Switches Deployment Expertise
• Cisco VPN and Network Security Setup and Troubleshooting Expertise
• SIP and CUBE Integration Solutions: SIP PSTN Trunks and CUBE Integration Consulting
• Cisco Duo MFA Two-factor Authentication Services for Telecommuters
• Infrastructure Design for Cisco-based Data Centers
• Network Optimization Consulting for Internet Service Providers
• Unified Cloud-based and Hybrid Management Technologies for Cisco-based Infrastructure
• NetApp and Cisco FlexPod Cloud Architecture Consulting