Cisco has developed an extensive portfolio of wireless LAN devices and technologies designed to enable anywhere, anytime connections to data and resources and to promote teamwork among employees, associates, suppliers, and customers. Cisco's wireless product families include Cisco's Small Business, Aironet and Meraki lines of access points (APs), as well as Cisco's Wireless LAN Controller plug-ins and standalone devices. Progent's Cisco-certified wireless experts can enable organizations of all sizes to deploy Cisco wireless solutions to support the new paradigm of BYOD networks by converging their wired/wireless networks to achieve simplified configuration, consistently high performance, single-point control, uniform policy, high availability (HA), and advanced security.
The Cisco Unified Wireless Network solution can scale to up to 18,000 wireless access points with full Layer 3 connectivity at local or remote venues like enterprise headquarters, college lecture halls, branches, and home offices. Cisco's 802.11x APs and wireless controllers are part of Cisco's Unified Wireless Network and are designed to deliver the same level of security, throughput, and ease of management for wireless networks that businesses demand in their wired ecosystem. Cisco's technology incorporates built-in mobile services like IP voice, high-definition IP video, and secure guest access. Cisco's Unified Wireless Network architecture allows organizations to build wireless ecosystems that streamline the way they do business and improve output via a dynamic and collaborative employee base.
Progent's Cisco CCIE network infrastructure consulting services can provide online or onsite support to assist your organization to design, deploy, maintain, upgrade, and troubleshoot converged wired/wireless network infrastructure of any size and for any environment. Also, Progent offers economical online and onsite wireless site surveys to assist you to plan and deploy a wireless LAN with custom-designed AP clusters optimized for your specific work area layout, building structure, and intended application.
Cisco Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst Wireless Access Points
Cisco's Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst families of APs allow businesses to converge wired/wireless networks to provide the accessibility, density, throughput, security compliance and manageability needed to support practically any scenario. Cisco's access points start at bare bones, single-band 802.11b/g/n devices with throughput of 300 Mb intended for small companies or telecommuters to 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) access points suitable for supporting hundreds of wireless clients on each access point and delivering throughput of more than 5 Gbps. Cisco's latest selection of access points can be clustered to deliver the capacity to support wireless networks with high client density and with high usage rates of HD video apps.
Small Business Family of APs
Cisco's Small Business Series of access points are Linux-based units intended as value-priced wireless solutions for small offices. Many models in the Cisco Small Business family of access points support Cisco's Single Point Setup system, which allows you to configure, control and troubleshoot a cluster of wireless access points from one device via an intuitive web browser tool. All models include Power over Ethernet (POE) and feature Quality of Service (QoS), rogue AP detection, and bridge mode for connecting to a second Ethernet LAN.
Cisco's Small Business WAP121 Wireless-N AP is a wall-mountable, single-radio 2.4GHz unit able to support 16 active 802.11n wireless clients, has a Fast Ethernet interface, allows up to 4 access pointss and 40 active wireless clients per cluster, and can handle data rates of up to 300 Mbps. Cisco's Small Business WAP131 is a desktop dual-radio 802.11a/b/g/n AP that can support 16 active clients per radio for a total of up to 32 clients, includes a GE port, and can support throughput of up to 300 Mbps for each radio. The WAP131 does not support clustering. Cisco's Small Business WAP150 is a general-purpose dual-radio AC/n wireless access point that includes a 1xGE Power over Ethernet port and can support up to 16 clients from each radio with 867 Mbps performance for 802.11ac clients and 300 Mbps for 802.11n clients. The Cisco Small Business WAP150 supports 4 APs per cluster.
The Cisco Small Business WAP321 Wireless-N AP is a wall-mountable single-band (2.4 or 5 GHz) 802.11a/b/g/n unit that can handle up to 80 wireless clients sharing an 8-device cluster. The Cisco WAP321 has a Gigabit Ethernet port and can support throughput of 300 Mbps for the selected radio. Cisco's WAP351 is a dual-radio 802.11a/b/g/n wireless access point with a 5-port Gigabit Ethernet interface and can handle 32 active clients on each radio for a total of up to 64 active clients, and support throughput of 300 Mbps for each radio. The WAP351 access point does not allow clustering. The Cisco Small Business WAP361 is a dual-radio 802.11ac access point that includes a 5-port Gigabit Ethernet switch, allows 32 active WLAN clients on each radio, and delivers 867 Mbps throughput for wireless AC clients and 300 Mbps for 802.11n devices. Cisco's Small Business WAP361 supports eight access points for each cluster. Cisco's wall-mountable WAP371 Wireless-AC/N is a dual-radio device that supports 802.11a/b/g/n as well as the latest 802.11ac IEEE specification. The WAP371 Wireless-AC/N has a GE interface, can support 32 wireless clients on each radio, and eight APs for each cluster.
Cisco's Small Business WAP561 802.11n Dual Radio AP features a Gigabit Ethernet LAN interface and two concurrent radios (2.4 and 5.0 GHz) that deliver 450 Mbps performance per radio, support 64 devices for each radio, and allow up to 16 access points for each cluster. The Cisco WAP551 is like Cisco's WAP 561 but features a single radio selectable band (2.4 or 5.0 GHz). Cisco's WAP571 and WAP571E (a ruggedized outdoor version) are dual-band Wireless-AC/N access points incorporating 2 x GE ports with link aggregation (LAG), 3x3 MIMO, and up to 1.9 Gbps throughput with 1300 Mbps over 11ac and 600 Mbps on 11n. Both devices can handle 32 clients per radio and 16 wireless access points on each cluster.
Cisco's WAP581 Wireless-AC Dual Radio Wave 2 Access Point complies with the 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5 standard and features 4x4 and 3x3 MU-MIMO to provide 2.8 Gbps throughput at 5 GHz and 600 Mbps on the 2.4-GHz radio for an aggregate top throughput of 2.4 Gbps. The Small Business WAP581 has an integrated 2.5G Ethernet port and a 10/100/1000 Ethernet interface with 802.3at Power over Ethernet (PoE). The WAP581 Wave 2 Wi-Fi 5 access point can handle up to 200 connective users, up to 50 active users per radio, 16 APs for each cluster, and 960 active users per cluster.
For more information about Progent's consulting services for both current and older Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 family of wireless APs, see Cisco Small Business wireless access points planning and support.
The Aironet Line of Wireless Access Points
Cisco's Aironet portfolio of wireless APs has for years been the market leading AP solution. Aironet wireless access points run the gamut from value-priced entry-level devices to advanced APs. Cisco's Aironet series cover several generations of models compliant with the continually improving 802.11x Wi-Fi specification. Cisco's latest portfolio of Aironet APs support Cisco's Unified Wireless Network software and incorporate 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology, which delivers three times the throughput as well as greater distance and user density in comparison to the prior generation of APs. Cisco's latest dual-frequency Aironet access points continue to handle 802.11n at 2.4 GHz for clients without 802.11ac radios.
The earliest Aironet access points are outdated units that have reached end-of-life status and are no longer supported by Cisco. Progent still offers support for the complete Aironet family of access points and can assist you to manage and troubleshoot your existing Aironet wireless environment or upgrade cost effectively to the latest Aironet technology. To find out more about Progent's support for current and legacy Aironet access points, see Cisco Aironet APs consulting services.
Meraki Access Points
Cisco's portfolio of Meraki dual-band 2.4/5 GHz indoor access points range from budget-friendly devices for general use to advanced products that offer as high as 5.9 Gigabit per second performance. Every Cisco Meraki indoor AP offers next-generation features such as self-configuring deployment, in-depth protection, BYOD support, extensive traffic analysis, automatic web-based updates, and centralized cloud management via an intuitive dashboard. Each Cisco Meraki indoor AP also includes dual powerful client-serving radios with boosted reception as well as a dedicated radio that offers intrusion detection and prevention system (WIDS/WIPS) security for RF analysis and deep packet inspection at line rate.
Cisco's Meraki outdoor wireless access points are IP67 certified, designed to operate in rugged outdoor conditions, and tested to resist dust, vibration and moisture. Cisco's Meraki outdoor wireless access points include a 1 x Gbit Ethernet port and offer advanced capabilities such as cloud-based management with multi-site visibility and control, 802.1X integration, built-in antivirus scan, single-click guest access and guest isolation firewall, application-aware traffic shaping, plus auto-configuring mesh with MIMO. For more information about Progent's support for Meraki APs and cloud management, see Cisco's Meraki wireless access points consulting services.
Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Line of Wi-Fi 6 and W-Fi 6E APs
Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Series Wi-Fi 6 and 6E 802.11ax access points are intended for deployments ranging from telecommuter homes to high-density enterprise campuses. Catalyst 9100 access points are based on the 802.11ax specification, referred to as Wi-Fi 6, which is an evolution of the preceding 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard. Unlike 802.11ac, Wi-Fi 6 is designed to use both the 2.4-Ghz and 5-GHz radio bands. Important technologies supported by Catalyst 9100 Series access points include MU-MIMO support for uplink traffic, dual NAVs for improved dependability, TWT for reduced power consumption in battery-dependent endpoints, adaptive sensitivity thresholds for better spectrum utilization, and extended guard intervals for improved outdoor performance. Cisco Catalyst 9100 wireless access points can run Cisco's Embedded Wireless Controller, accommodate up to 400 client users per radio, and run on Cisco IOS XE Software.
Cisco's Catalyst 9160 Series Wi-Fi 6E APs are the first Cisco APs that have the capability of being managed on-premises with Cisco DNA Center or via the cloud using Meraki management utilities. This permits organizations to move to cloud-centric or hybrid management environments on their own timetable. All Catalyst 916x APs meet the a/b/g/n/ac/ax and 6E wireless specifications and support the 6-GHz band. Each device has 5 radios and supports as many as 400 clients on each radio. Every AP also comes with a dedicated radio for Cisco CleanAir Pro for reducing wireless interference, comes with a USB 2.0 port, and offers Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The entry-level Catalyst 9162 Series access point is intended for small organizations, incorporates three 2x2 radios, and provides 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet support.
The Catalyst 9163E Wi-Fi 6E AP is designed for harsh outside deployments like campus environments or stadiums. The 9163E comes with three client serving 2x2 radios, an IoT radio, and a tri-band scanning radio. Interfaces include 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet (RJ-45), a management console port (RJ-45), 4x N-Type Wi-Fi antenna connectors, and a GPS/GNSS antenna connector. The AP supports Omnidirectional Dipole Self-Identifying Antennas. The Catalyst 9164 Series AP is suited for small and mid-size enterprises, has one 2x2 radio and two 4x4 radios, and provides 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet. The Catalyst 9166 Series Wi-Fi access point is designed for large and medium-sized enterprises, has three 4x4 radios, and provides 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G/5G mGig Ethernet connectivity. The 9166 also comes with environmental sensors to measure air quality, temperature, and moisture. For details about Progent's support for Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Line of Wi-Fi 6/6E Access Points, refer to Wi-Fi 6/6E APs solution planning, configuration, and debugging consulting.
Cisco 9800 Series 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers
Catalyst 9800 Series Wi-Fi 6-compatible wireless controller appliances help you automate and manage advanced Wi-Fi networks that support 802.11ax access points. The 802.11ax standard, referred to as Wi-Fi 6, builds on previous generation 802.11ac (referred to as Wi-Fi 5) appliances by providing lower latency and more predictable performance, supporting higher client density, offering greater protection, saving energy for battery-dependent mobile devices, and offering more versatility for handling new kinds of Internet-of-Things (IoT) endpoints. Catalyst 9800 family wireless controllers feature always-on availability with seamless software upgrades, live patching, and the ability to connect additional wireless APs without disruption of service. Advanced cybersecurity features include Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA), secure boot, and Software-Defined Access (SD-Access). Streaming telemetry allows you to track and understand network and client health.
All appliances in the Catalyst 9800 line are based on Cisco's IOS XE Software and operate with Cisco's DNA Center (DNAC) or Cisco Prime Infrastructure management tools. Cisco's Catalyst 9800 Series wireless LAN controllers can manage Cisco Aironet 802.11ac Wave 1 and Wave 2 wireless APs as well as Cisco Catalyst 9100 802.11ax APs. For details about Progent's support for Cisco 9800 line of 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers, refer to Catalyst 9800 family of Wi-Fi 6 wireless LAN controller appliances system design, configuration, and debugging services.
Cisco Wi-Fi 5 Wireless Network Controllers
Cisco Wave 2 wireless controllers allow realtime data exchange, deployment, control, monitoring and troubleshooting for Cisco Wi-Fi appliances and software services. Cisco offers both hardware and virtual Wi-Fi controllers for unified management of wireless networks, but systems with many wireless APs typically require hardware-based wireless controllers. New Wi-Fi controller appliances from Cisco deliver significant benefits in comparison to Wave 1 and earlier models such as greater performance, simultaneous support for both 1G and 10G Ethernet, improved application visibility and control (AVC), and hardened, integrated security.
The Cisco 3504 WiFi Controller is an entry-level appliance available in a desktop enclosure and designed for small and medium-sized businesses. You can use the 3504 model in a centralized WLAN architecture such as in lean branch and home-based offices managed across the WAN with Cisco FlexConnect, or in mesh deployments where Ethernet cabling is sparse. The 3504 wireless controller supports as many as 150 WiFi access points and 3,000 users, offers 4 Gbps throughput, and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. The 3504 wireless controller includes a multi-gigabit Ethernet interface and four 1-Gigabit Ethernet connections. APs can be connected directly to the WiFi controller via two Power over Ethernet (PoE) ports. The 3504 Wi-Fi controller offers subsecond failover for access points and clients, which provides nonstop availability for apps. As with other Wave 2 Wi-Fi 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 form factor, is designed to support midsize to large organizations and campus environments and can be used in centralized, distributed, and mesh architectures. The 5520 wireless controller can handle as many as 1,500 access points and 20,000 clients, delivers 20 Gbps performance, and supports 4,096 VLANs. The 5520 WiFi controller features two 10 GE ports and features solid-state storage, backup fans, optional backup power supplies, and subsecond failover for uninterrupted availability.
The Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller, offered in a 2 rack unit package, is a high-end wireless controller intended to support enterprises, service providers, and large campuses. The 8540 Wireless controller can be run in centralized, distributed, and mesh deployments and can handle as many as 6,000 Wi-Fi access points and 64,000 clients. The 8540 Wireless controller offers throughput as high as 40 Gbps and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. The 8540 controller comes with four 1-GB or 10GE interfaces and features solid-state storage, dual power supplies, backup fans, and rapid failover.
Wave 1 Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco wireless controllers cut the time and cost required to deploy, monitor, and troubleshoot Wi-Fi networks by offering single-point control of critical functions such as setting up access points, enforcing consistent policies across converged LANs, supporting enterprise-wide QoS for voice and video, tracking and optimizing network performance, implementing intrusion prevention capabilities to guard against unauthorized access and DDoS attacks, and managing IPv6 clients. Cisco has developed wireless network controllers for businesses of all sizes and can provide standalone desktop controllers, modular plug-in wireless controllers for Cisco ISR routers and switches, and Catalyst switches with integrated wireless LAN controllers.
Cisco's Wave 1 WiFi LAN controllers include Cisco CleanAir technology to avoid RF interference and produce self-healing wireless networks for maximum 802.11n and 802.11ac performance and security. Built-in Bonjour Gateways permit discovery, advertisement and policy across the enterprise for Apple-based applications. For high availability, Cisco wireless network controllers support access point and client stateful switchover by enabling a standby HA wireless controller to synchronize with a primary controller for access point license tabulation, CAPWAP keys, and access point CAPWAP state. In case the main controller goes down, thousands of access points and wireless clients can switchover at subsecond speeds 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 Series routers used by smaller organizations and satellite offices. This affordable and scalable solution can support from five to 200 APs and up to 6000 wireless clients. (To find out concerning Progent's remote and on-premises consulting and troubleshooting services for Cisco routers, refer to Cisco router deployment and management consulting.)
Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series are 1RU form-factor switches intended for small to mid-size businesses and satellite offices and have an integrated wireless controller with the capability to handle 40 Gb of wireless capacity per switch and 25 access points and 1000 clients per switch or stack. Catalyst 3850 Series are 1RU rackmount switches intended for mid-size and large organizations and feature an integrated wireless LAN controller supporting up to 40 Gb of wireless throughput on each switch and the ability to handle up to 50 access points and 2000 clients. The WiSM2 is an add-in blade for Catalyst 6500 Series switches that include a built-in wireless network controller designed for mid-to-large size enterprises and capable of 20 Gbps performance and with support for 1000 APs and 15,000 clients. (To find out concerning Progent's consulting services for Cisco switches, see Cisco switches deployment and troubleshooting support.)
Cisco 2500 Wireless Controllers are economical desktop units that simplify the provisioning and management of Wi-Fi networks for small and midsize businesses and branch offices. The 2500 Series wireless controller can manage 5 to 75 access points and 1000 clients and offers throughput of up to 1 Gbps.
Cisco's 5500 Series Wireless Controller is a scalable 1RU unit intended for mid-to-large sized enterprises and campus environments and can support up to 500 wireless access points and 7,000 clients while providing 8 Gbps throughput. Cisco's 5760 Wireless Controller is a 1RU device designed for mid-to-large campuses with the ability to manage 1000 access points and 12,000 clients and providing performance of 60 Gbps to accommodate high wireless client densities and high amounts of media-rich mobile applications.
The Cisco Flex 7500 Wireless Controller is intended to manage thousands of wireless branches from a single location, avoiding the need for a wireless controller at every remote site. The 1RU rackmount Flex 7500 allows you to create a private cloud to configure, monitor, manage, and repair up to 6000 access points and 64,000 wireless clients while handling 1 Gbps performance. Cisco's 8500 Series Wireless Controller is a 1RU appliance designed to manage Wi-Fi environments for very large campuses or service providers and can be expanded to handle up to 6000 access points and 64,000 wireless clients while delivering 10 Gbps throughput.
For more information about Cisco wireless controllers, see Cisco wireless controllers consulting services.
Legacy Cisco Wireless Access Points, LAN Bridges and Wi-Fi Controllers Supported by Progent
The introduction of the IEEE 802.11ac specification for wireless connectivity virtually made obsolete the earlier generations of Wi-Fi products for many environments that have high numbers of clients and high usage of HD video software applications. Even for businesses who do not require the bandwidth efficiency of 802.11ac, many of Cisco wireless products have arrived at end-of-sale or end-of-support status, which can represent serious maintenance and compliance problems. Progent's Cisco-certified consulting experts provide remote and on-premises support services for a broad array of older-generation Cisco wireless products. Progent can in addition assist organizations to evaluate the potential ROI for updating up-of-date wireless technology and can assist in designing and carrying out affordable, seamless upgrades. The following are a sample of Cisco older-generation Wi-Fi products that Progent's consultants continue to support.
Legacy Cisco Aironet APs
Aironet 1000/1130AG Series wireless access points are intended for conventional workplaces and similar venues which have minimal environmental variability. These devices include integrated antennas that offer predictable radio coverage profiles. The Cisco 1130G family device is available for restricted locations that do not allow 802.11a/5GHz operation.
Cisco Aironet 1230AG or 1240AG Series APs are intended for more problematic RF situations such as manufacturing plants and warehouses or above ceiling structures which often require adjustable protruding antennas and rugged metal cases. The Cisco 1240G family device is designed for restricted locations that do not allow 5GHz transmission.
Cisco Aironet 1500 family lightweight outdoor mesh LAN access points provide an economical, scalable, protected outdoor wireless network technology for campus areas and for public sites that need access for portable phones or computers.
Legacy Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Bridges
Cisco wireless LAN bridges provide a high-performance and feature-rich solution for integrating numerous LANs in a metropolitan situation or public access network. Cisco wireless LAN bridges offer a versatile, easy-to-use solution that satisfies the security demands of WAN specialists. They manage both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint implementations with good coverage and the ability to handle traffic throughput as high as 54 Mbps.
Cisco wireless LAN bridges offer data rates dramatically higher than E1/T1 links for a fraction of the expense, doing away with the need for costly leased lines when linking separate buildings. Because bridges carry no periodic costs, the expenses saved on connection services rapidly cover the initial hardware costs. Self-installed private lines and in some cases leased lines utilizing metal or optical cable often require very expensive up-front costs if they are impeded by obstacles like freeways, train tracks, or lakes and rivers. Cisco Aironet wireless bridges can be installed rapidly with a fast ROI.
Cisco Aironet 1300 outdoor access points/bridges can be deployed as independent access points, bridges, or wireless group bridges. These devices have a durable cover and provide fast, cost-effective wireless interfaces between numerous stationary or mobile environments and users.
Cisco 1400 wireless bridges provide fast, dependable outdoor bridging for LOS environments. They are housed in a durable enclosure that can hold up to severe outside conditions and function within wide temperature ranges.
Legacy Cisco Wireless Controllers
Cisco WLAN Controllers centralize the management of WLANs by simplifying the control of key technologies such as intrusion prevention, real-time RF control, zero touch deployment, and full N+1 redundancy. Wireless Network controllers work with small APs to deliver superior performance and advanced administration capabilities.
Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) offer the manageability, expandability, protection, and fault tolerance that network managers need to build secure, enterprise-scale wireless environments, from satellite locations to small companies to headquarter campuses. Cisco's first-generation Wireless Network Controllers can be clustered to provide accommodation for up to 2400 WAPs for each roaming domain.
Cisco's WLCM or WLCM-E Module for Integrated Services Routers offers small-to medium businesses (SMBs) and large corporations an economical solution to implement and manage secure WLANs at satellite offices. These products manage up to 12 Aironet access points and are supported on 2800/3800 Series Integrated Services Routers and Cisco 3700 Series Integrated Services Routers. (For information concerning Progent's remote and onsite consulting support for Cisco routers, see Cisco router configuration and troubleshooting services.)
How Progent's Engineers Can Help You with Cisco Wireless Products
Progent can provide access to a Cisco-certified consultant to assist your business to plan, install, maintain and troubleshoot a converged wired and wireless infrastructure integrating a broad range of wireless devices that offer the same protection, expandability, and ease of management you demand from a wired environment. Progent can help you to manage legacy wireless solutions from Cisco or upgrade seamlessly to the latest 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 technology. Progent's CISM, CISSP, and ISSAP security specialists can show you how to build protection into your WLAN and your company's operations. Progent's disaster recovery planning consultants and business continuity planning consultants can show you how to deploy the HA technology built into Cisco's wireless and wired products so your converged network provides non-stop business value.
Progent's Wi-Fi Site Survey helps you to plan and implement a state-of-the-art wireless network customized for your environment, providing a Wi-Fi ecosystem that delivers comprehensive coverage, high speed and density, QoS to handle IP voice and video, enterprise-class security, and easy management. Progent's Wi-Fi Site Survey can be performed remotely to reduce time and expense, or on premises to deal with more difficult facilities.
For a more in-depth look at Progent's wireless consulting capabilities, see Progent's Wireless Network Consulting.
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