Cisco Wi-Fi controllers streamline the administration of Wi-Fi networks by unifying the configuration and management of wireless APs, maximizing wireless performance by minimizing the effects of radio interference, improving Wi-Fi availability with rapid auto-failover, and tightening protection by uncovering threats and filtering content based on client type and location.

Cisco wireless controllers work with Cisco's Prime Infrastructure platform, an architecture that can accommodate up to 6,000 Wi-Fi APs and 64,000 clients. Cisco's line of wireless controllers are available at prices and with feature sets appropriate for networks ranging from small or home offices to service provider networks, enterprises, and dense campus environments. Cisco's 802.11ac Wave 2 controllers and wireless access points are designed to provide the same standard of security, speed and robustness that companies expect in their wired network. Cisco's technology includes integrated mobility support like IP voice, HD video, and safe guest access. Cisco's Prime Infrastructure architecture allows organizations to build environments that integrate wired and Wi-Fi networks into a centrally managed solution that delivers a consistent and productive user experience.

Progent's seasoned wireless consultants can help you to assess the business value of deploying Cisco wireless controllers to manage wireless environments of any size. Progent can help you to support and debug your current Cisco Wi-Fi solution or help you to plan and implement a smooth migration from older Wi-Fi controllers to modern models to get enhanced performance and protection and to streamline administration.

Cisco WiFi Controller Experts

Cisco's latest generation wireless controllers have the speed to support 802.11ac Wave 2 Wi-Fi

Progent's Cisco-certified network infrastructure consultants offer low-cost remote consulting services across the U.S. and Canada to help you to create and enhance Wi-Fi solutions. Progent can also provide onsite consulting in major metropolitan areas throughout the United States and in Toronto, Canada. In addition, Progent offers affordable remote and on-premises Wi-Fi Site surveys to help you to plan a Wi-Fi network with access points located and configured optimally for your particular site environment, traffic volume, and user density.

Cisco Wave 2 802.11ac Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco Wave 2 Wi-Fi controllers allow fast communication, configuration, administration, analysis and debugging for Cisco Wi-Fi devices and software services. Cisco offers both physical and virtual wireless controllers for centralized administration of WiFi networks, but systems with many Wi-Fi APs typically require hardware-based Wi-Fi controllers. New Wi-Fi controller devices from Cisco deliver significant benefits over Wave 1 and older models including higher performance, concurrent support for both 1G and 10G Ethernet, improved application visibility and control (AVC), and advanced, built-in protection.

Cisco 3504 Wireless Controller Setup and Troubleshooting ConsultingThe Cisco 3504 Wireless Controller is a value-priced appliance with a desktop form factor and intended for small and medium-sized businesses. You can use the 3504 model in a centralized WLAN architecture such as in small branch and home-based offices administered over the WAN via FlexConnect, or in bridge deployments where Ethernet cabling is sparse. The 3504 Wi-Fi controller supports up to 150 wireless APs and 3,000 client users, delivers 4 Gbps throughput, and supports 4,096 VLANs. Cisco's 3504 WiFi controller includes a multi-gigabit Ethernet interface and four 1-Gigabit Ethernet connections. APs can be attached directly to the WiFi controller through two PoE ports. The 3504 wireless controller features subsecond failover for access points and users, which allows nonstop availability for apps. As with other current Wave 2 wireless controllers available from Cisco, the 3504 model has the integrated ability to communicate with Cisco Prime Infrastructure, Cisco Mobility Services, and Cisco 5520 and 8540 WiFi controllers.

Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller Setup and Troubleshooting ConsultingCisco's 5520 WiFi Controller, available in a 1 rack unit (RU) enclosure, is designed for larger organizations and campus environments and can be run in centralized, distributed, and mesh architectures. The 5520 Wi-Fi controller can handle up to 1,500 wireless APs and 20,000 client users, delivers 20 Gbps performance, and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. The 5520 model controller includes two 10 GE ports and features SSD storage, backup fans, optional dual power supplies, and rapid failover for high availability.

Cisco 8540 Wi-Fi Controller Setup and Troubleshooting ConsultantsThe Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller, offered in a 2 rack unit (RU) form factor, is a high-end wireless controller intended to support large enterprises, service providers, and large campus environments. The 8540 Wireless controller can be used in centralized, distributed, and mesh architectures and can handle up to 6,000 access points and 64,000 clients. The 8540 Wireless controller offers data rates as high as 40 Gbps and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. The 8540 controller includes four 1-GB or 10GE interfaces and features SSD storage, backup power supplies, backup fans, and rapid failover.

Wave 1 Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers
Wireless Network Controllers Configuration and Support ConsultingCisco wireless controllers reduce the time and expense required to deploy, monitor, and operate wireless networks by offering single-point control of critical tasks such as provisioning wireless access points, enforcing single-point policies across wired/wireless networks, supporting enterprise-wide QoS for IP voice and video, monitoring and troubleshooting system health, activating intrusion prevention capabilities to defend against cyber break-ins and Denial of Service threats, and managing IPv6 clients. Cisco has developed wireless LAN controllers for organizations of all sizes and can provide desktop or rackmount controllers, modular add-on wireless controllers for Cisco routers and Catalyst switches, and Catalyst switches with integrated wireless controllers.

Cisco Wireless Network Controller Module Consulting ServicesCisco's Wave 1 WiFi LAN controllers include Cisco CleanAir technology to avoid RF interference and produce self-healing wireless LANs for maximum 802.11n and 802.11ac throughput and protection. Integrated Bonjour Gateways permit discovery throughout the enterprise for Apple applications. For fault tolerance, Cisco wireless controllers support access point and client stateful failover by enabling a standby HA controller to synch with a primary wireless controller for access point license tabulation, CAPWAP keys, and AP CAPWAP state. If the main wireless controller fails, thousands of access points and wireless clients can failover in less than a second to the secondary wireless LAN controller.

Cisco's Wireless Module for ISR G2 Routers with UCS-E offers entry-level 802.11n and 802.11ac support for 2900 and 3900 routers used by smaller businesses and branch offices. This value-priced and expandable solution can handle up to 200 APs and up to 6000 wireless clients. (For information about Progent's online and on-premises consulting support services for Cisco routers, refer to Cisco router configuration and troubleshooting support.)

Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series are 1RU switches intended for small to mid-size businesses and satellite offices and features a built-in wireless controller with the capability to support up to 40 Gb of wireless capacity for each switch and up to 25 wireless access points and 1000 wireless clients on each switch or stack. Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series are 1RU switches designed for mid-size businesses and large enterprises and feature a built-in wireless controller supporting up to 40 Gb of wireless throughput on each switch and the ability to handle 50 wireless access points and 2000 clients. The Wireless Services Module2 (WiSM2) is a plug-in blade for Catalyst 6500 Series switches with an integrated wireless LAN controller designed for mid-to-large size enterprises and capable of 20 Gbps performance and with support for up to 1000 APs and 15,000 wireless clients. (For information about Progent's consulting services for Cisco Catalyst switches, see Cisco Catalyst switches configuration and troubleshooting consulting.)

Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controllers are entry-level desktop devices that simplify the provisioning and operation of Wi-Fi networks for SMBs and satellite offices. The Cisco 2500 wireless LAN controller supports 5 to 75 wireless access points and up to 1000 wireless clients and offers sustained performance of 1 Gbps.

Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers Online ConsultingThe Cisco 5500 Wireless Controller is an expandable 1RU unit intended for mid-to-large sized businesses and campuses and can manage 500 APs and 7,000 clients while delivering 8 Gbps throughput. The Cisco 5760 Series Wireless Controller is a 1RU device intended for mid-to-large campuses with support for up to 1000 access points and 12,000 clients and offering performance of 60 Gbps to accommodate high wireless client densities and high usage of video-intensive applications.

The Cisco Flex 7500 Wireless Controller is intended to enable centralized management of massive collections of wireless branches from one location, eliminating the need for a wireless controller at every branch. The 1RU Flex 7500 appliance lets you establish a private cloud to deploy, monitor, maintain, and repair as many as 6000 access points and up to 64,000 clients while supporting 1 Gbps throughput. The Cisco 8500 Wireless Controller is a 1RU device designed to monitor and manage wireless networks for very large campuses or service providers and can be expanded to handle up to 6000 APs and 64,000 wireless clients while delivering 10 Gbps throughput.

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