Cisco Certified Expert Network Consulting

Cisco wireless controllers work with Cisco's Prime Infrastructure and DNA Center (DNAC) management solutions and can accommodate up to 6,000 wireless access points and 64,000 users. Cisco's family of Wi-Fi controllers are available at price points and with capabilities suitable for venues that run from branch offices to service provider networks, multi-site enterprises, and large campus environments. Cisco's Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 controllers and APs are designed to deliver the same level of security, performance and reliability that users expect in their wired network. Cisco's technology incorporates integrated mobility support like Voice over IP, HD video, and protected guest access. Cisco's Prime Infrastructure and DNAC platforms allow businesses to implement systems that integrate wired and Wi-Fi networks into a centrally managed solution that delivers a seamless and productive work environment.

Progent's seasoned wireless consultants can assist you to determine the business value of deploying Cisco Wi-Fi controllers to administer wireless networks of any size. Progent can assist your business to manage and troubleshoot your existing Cisco-based wireless ecosystem or help you to plan and carry out an efficient upgrade from earlier generation wireless controllers to modern products to get improved functionality and protection and to streamline administration.

Progent's Cisco-certified integration consultants offer low-cost remote consulting and support services throughout the U.S. and Canada to assist you to create and enhance Wi-Fi networks. Progent also offers on-premises consulting in larger metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. and in Toronto, Canada. In addition, Progent offers remote predictive and onsite Wireless Site Surveys to help you to plan a Wi-Fi network with wireless access points located and set up efficiently for your particular office environment, traffic volume, and user density.

Cisco 9800 Series Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers
Cisco Catalyst 9800 line of Wi-Fi 6-supported wireless controllers allow you to manage modern Wi-Fi networks that support 802.11ax Wi-Fi access points. 802.11ax, also called Wi-Fi 6, builds on previous generation 802.11ac (called Wi-Fi 5) appliances by delivering less latency and more reliable performance, supporting higher client density, offering greater protection, saving energy for battery-dependent handheld devices, and allowing more flexibility for handling the latest kinds of IoT endpoints. Cisco's Catalyst 9800 Series Wi-Fi controllers feature always-on availability with seamless software upgrades, live fixes, and the ability to connect additional APs with zero disruption of service. Advanced cybersecurity technologies include Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA), secure boot, and Software-Defined Access (SD-Access). Streaming telemetry allows you to track and understand infrastructure and client health. All controllers in the Catalyst 9800 family are based on Cisco's IOS XE Software and operate with Cisco's DNA Center or Prime Infrastructure management platforms. Cisco's Catalyst 9800 wireless LAN controllers can manage Cisco Aironet Wi-Fi 5 Wave 1 and Wave 2 wireless APs concurrently with Cisco Catalyst 9100 802.11ax APs.

Cisco's 9800-L 802.11ax Controller is an entry-level device available in a half-width 1RU body that allows side-by-side installation in a standard 19-in rack. Designed for small and medium-sized wireless networks, the 9800-L offers enhanced speed and capacity for customers with a Performance license option. The 9800-L supports 250 access points and 5,000 users (500 Wi-Fi access points and 10,00 client users with a Performance license). The 9800-L controller offers 5 Gbps data rates (10 Gbps with a Performance license), and supports 4,096 VLANs. Deployment scenarios include Centralized, Cisco FlexConnect for remote office deployments, and fabric. Integrated uplinks include four 2.5G/1G ports plus either two 10G/Multigigabit copper (Catalyst 9800-L-C) or two 10G/Multigigabit fiber ports (Catalyst 9800-L-F). Additional ports include an RJ-45 console interface and a Micro USB console port for management, a USB 3.0 interface for plugging in external RAM, an RJ-45 service interface, and an RJ-45 HA redundancy interface for SSO.

The Cisco Catalyst 9800-40 802.11ax Wireless Controller, offered in a 1RU package, is intended for midsize campus environments. The 9800-40 can handle 2,000 APs and 32,000 users. The 9800-40 offers 40 Gbps data rates and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. Deployment options include Centralized, Cisco FlexConnect, and Fabric Wireless. Integrated ports include four GE SFP/10 GE SFP+ or SFP ports and an SFP Gigabit Ethernet redundancy port. Other fixed ports include RJ-45 and USB 3.0 console ports, an RJ-45 management interface, an RJ-45 redundancy port for SSO, and two USB 3.0 interfaces for plugging in external memory.

The Cisco Catalyst 9800-80 Wi-Fi 6 Controller, available in a 2 rack unit (RU) form factor, is an expandable, high-end wireless controller intended to support large campus and service provider environments. The 9800-80 supports 60,00 APs and 64,000 clients. The 9800-80 offers a maximum of 80 Gbps throughput and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. Deployment modes include Centralized, Cisco FlexConnect, and Fabric Wireless. Integrated uplink interfaces include eight 10G SFP+ interfaces or six 10G interfaces and two 1G ports. Optional hot swappable uplink modules can add 18 1GE ports, 10 10GE ports, a 40GE interface, two 40GE interfaces, or a 100GE port. Other fixed interfaces include RJ-45 and USB 3.0 console ports, an RJ-45 management interface, an SFP Gigabit Ethernet redundancy interface for stateful switchover, an RJ-45 redundancy interface for stateful switchover (SSO), and two USB 3.0 ports for plugging in external memory.

Cisco Wave 2 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5 Network Controllers
Cisco Wave 2 Wi-Fi 5 wireless controllers enable fast data exchange, configuration, administration, monitoring and troubleshooting for Cisco wireless appliances and software services. Cisco offers both hardware and software-based Wi-Fi controllers for centralized management of wireless environments, but networks with a large number of wireless access points are better served by hardware-based wireless controllers. Wave 2 wireless controller devices from Cisco offer major advantages over Wave 1 and older models including higher throughput, concurrent support for both 1G and 10G interfaces, enhanced application visibility and control, and advanced, integrated security.

Cisco's 3504 Wireless Controller is a value-priced device with a desktop enclosure and designed for small and medium-sized businesses. You can use the 3504 in a centralized network architecture such as in lean branch and remote offices administered across the WAN with Cisco FlexConnect, or in mesh deployments where wiring is sparse. The 3504 wireless controller supports as many as 150 wireless APs and 3,000 client users, delivers 4 Gbps throughput, and supports 4,096 VLANs. The 3504 wireless controller includes a multi-gigabit Ethernet interface and four 1-GB Ethernet connections. APs can be attached directly to the controller through two Power over Ethernet (PoE) ports. The 3504 Wi-Fi controller offers subsecond failover for APs and clients, which provides uninterrupted availability for applications. Like other Wave 2 wireless controllers from Cisco, the 3504 model has the integrated capability to communicate with Cisco Prime Infrastructure, Cisco Mobility Services Engine, and Cisco 5520 and 8540 wireless controllers.

The Cisco 5520 WiFi Controller, offered in a 1 rack unit enclosure, is intended to support midsize to large enterprises and campus environments and can be used in centralized, distributed, and mesh architectures. The 5520 Wi-Fi controller supports as many as 1,500 APs and 20,000 users, offers 20 Gbps throughput, and supports 4,096 VLANs. The 5520 model controller features two 10 GE interfaces and features SSD storage, backup fans, optional redundant power supplies, and rapid failover for high availability.

Cisco's 8540 Wireless Controller, offered in a 2RU form factor, is a high-end wireless controller designed to support large enterprises, service providers, and large campuses. The 8540 Wireless controller can be run in centralized, distributed, and mesh architectures and supports as many as 6,000 wireless APs and 64,000 clients. The 8540 Wireless controller can deliver data rates up to 40 Gbps and supports 4,096 VLANs. The 8340 comes with four 1-GB or 10GE ports and features SSD storage, redundant power supplies, redundant fans, and rapid failover.

Wave 1 Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco wireless network controllers cut the effort and expense needed to configure, manage, and operate Wi-Fi networks by centralizing control of critical functions such as setting up wireless access points, enforcing consistent policies throughout converged LANs, supporting enterprise-wide QoS for voice and HD video, tracking and troubleshooting network performance, implementing intrusion prevention capabilities to defend against cyber break-ins and Distributed Denial of Service attacks, and managing IPv6 and dual-stack clients. Cisco has developed wireless LAN controllers for businesses of any size and offers standalone desktop controllers, modular plug-in controllers for Cisco routers and Catalyst switches, and switches with built-in wireless controllers.

Cisco's Wave 1 WiFi controllers include Cisco CleanAir technology to minimize RF interference and create self-optimizing wireless networks for maximum 802.11n and 802.11ac performance and protection. Built-in Bonjour Gateways allow discovery and policy throughout the enterprise for Apple-based applications. For high availability (HA), Cisco wireless LAN controllers support AP and client stateful failover by permitting a backup HA wireless controller to synch with a primary controller for AP license tabulation, CAPWAP keys, and access point CAPWAP state. If the primary controller fails, thousands of access points and wireless clients can failover in less than a second to the backup wireless controller.

Cisco's Wireless Module for ISR Routers with UCS-E provides entry-level 802.11n and 802.11ac capability for 2900 and 3900 routers used by small to medium-sized businesses and branches. This affordable and scalable solution can handle up to 200 access points and up to 6000 wireless clients. (To find out about Progent's remote and on-premises consulting and troubleshooting support services for Cisco routers, refer to Cisco router deployment and management support.)

Cisco Legacy Wi-Fi Network Controllers
Catalyst 3650 Series are 1RU form-factor switches intended for small to mid-size businesses and branch offices and have an integrated wireless LAN controller with the capability to handle 40 Gb of wireless throughput per switch and 25 APs and 1000 clients on each switch or stack. Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series are 1RU switches intended for mid-size businesses and large enterprises and feature a built-in wireless controller with up to 40 Gb of wireless capacity per switch and support for 50 wireless access points and up to 2000 clients. The WiSM2 is a plug-in blade for Catalyst 6500 Series switches with an integrated wireless controller designed for mid-to-large size enterprises and able to deliver 20 Gbps throughput and able to handle 1000 wireless access points and up to 15,000 wireless clients. (To find out about Progent's consulting services for Catalyst switches, see Catalyst switches deployment and management consulting.)

Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controllers are value-priced desktop appliances that simplify the deployment and management of Wi-Fi networks for SMBs and satellite offices. The Cisco 2500 wireless LAN controller can manage 5 to 75 wireless access points and 1000 clients and can deliver throughput of up to 1 Gbps.

Cisco's 5500 Wireless Controller is a scalable 1RU unit intended for medium-sized to large enterprises and campus environments and can support up to 500 wireless access points and 7,000 wireless clients while providing 8 Gbps performance. The Cisco 5760 Series Wireless Controller is a 1RU device designed for mid-to-large campus environments with the ability to manage 1000 access points and 12,000 wireless clients and offering performance of 60 Gbps to accommodate high wireless client densities and high amounts of video-intensive mobile applications.

The Cisco Flex 7500 Series Wireless Controller is designed to enable centralized management of massive collections of wireless branches from a single datacenter, avoiding the need for a wireless controller at each remote site. The 1RU Flex 7500 appliance lets you establish a private cloud to configure, monitor, manage, and troubleshoot up to 6000 access points and up to 64,000 wireless clients while supporting 1 Gbps throughput. The Cisco 8500 Wireless Controller is a 1RU rackmount device engineered to monitor and manage wireless networks for very large campuses or for service providers and can scale to handle 6000 access points and 64,000 wireless clients while offering 10 Gbps throughput.

Contact Progent for Consulting Support for Cisco Wi-Fi Controllers
To learn more about Progent's consulting services for Cisco wireless controllers, call 1-800-993-9400 or visit Contact Progent.

To find out more details concerning Progent's professional expertise for Cisco technology, pick a topic:

• Overview of Progent's Cisco Consulting Services
• Fast and Affordable Online Assistance from a CCIE Engineer
• Cisco Firepower NGFW Series Firewalls: Configuration and Troubleshooting Expertise
• Cisco ASA 5500-X Series Firewall with Cisco Firepower Services: Consulting and Management Expertise
• ASA 5500 Firewall Consulting Expertise
• PIX 500 Series Firewall Upgrade. Migration Assistance
• Cisco Routers Configuration and Troubleshooting Support
• Cisco Wireless Consulting Support
• Aironet Wireless Access Points Engineering Services
• Cisco Small Business Wireless Access Points System Design Support
• Cisco Catalyst Wi-Fi 6/6E APs Planning, Configuration and Debugging Support
• Cisco Meraki Access Points Engineering Expertise
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and Cisco CallManager Configuration and Troubleshooting
• Cisco Voice over IP (VoIP) Phones and IP Video Desktop Phones Consulting Services and Wireless VoIP Phone Configuration
• Cisco Jabber Configuration and Troubleshooting Services
• Cisco Catalyst Switches Configuration and Maintenance Services
• Cisco Nexus Switches Configuration and Maintenance Services
• Meraki Switches Support and Troubleshooting Services
• Cisco Security and VPN Integration Assistance
• SIP and CUBE Infrastructure Solutions: SIP PSTN Trunks and Cisco CUBE Integration Consulting
• Cisco Duo MFA Two-factor Authentication Services for Telecommuters
• Design and Support for Cisco-powered Datacenters and Colocation Centers
• Infrastructure Design Expertise for ISPs
• Centralized Cloud-based and Hybrid Network Management Solutions for Cisco Infrastructure