Cisco Network Consulting

Cisco offers a comprehensive portfolio of wireless LAN products and software tools intended to enable anywhere, anytime connections to information and resources and to facilitate collaboration among employees, partners, vendors, and customers. Cisco's wireless product families include the Small Business, Aironet and Meraki series of wireless access points, plus Cisco's Wireless LAN Controller plug-ins and standalone devices. Progent's certified wireless experts can enable businesses of any size to utilize Cisco wireless products to accommodate the new paradigm of Bring-Your-Own-Device networks by integrating their wired and wireless networks to achieve easy deployment, consistent and fast throughput, centralized management, enterprise-wide policy enforcement, high availability, and across-the-board protection.

Cisco's Unified Wireless Network solution can expand to up to 18,000 access points with Layer 3 mobility at local or remote locations like enterprise headquarters, college lecture halls, branches, and telecommuter homes. Cisco's 802.11x wireless access points and controllers are part of Cisco's Unified Wireless Network and are designed to deliver the identical degree of protection, throughput, and manageability for wireless LANs that companies expect in their wired infrastructure. This architecture incorporates built-in mobile services such as Voice over IP, IP video, and secure guest access. Cisco's Unified Wireless architecture enables companies to create wireless environments that improve the way they do business and improve productivity via a dynamic and connected employee base.

Progent's Cisco-certified network consultants offers online or onsite expertise to assist you to design, configure, manage, upgrade, and repair converged wired and wireless networks of all sizes and for any environment. In addition, Progent can provide affordable remote and onsite Wi-Fi site surveys to help your company to design and install a Wi-Fi LAN with custom-designed AP clustering optimized for your individual work area layout, building characteristics, and intended application.

Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst Wireless Access Points (APs)
Cisco's Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst families of wireless access points allow businesses to converge wired/wireless infrastructure to provide the coverage, density, performance, protection and manageability required to support virtually any environment. Cisco's wireless access points range from bare bones, single-band 802.11b/g/n units with throughput of 300 Mb for very small companies or telecommuters to 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) access points capable of handling hundreds of clients on each access point and offering sustained data rates in excess of 5 Gigabits per second. Cisco's current line of APs can be clustered to deliver the scale to support sites with high client density and with a high incidence of video-intense applications.

Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 Family of Access Points
Cisco's Small Business Family of APs are Linux-powered devices designed as entry-level Wi-Fi APs for light workloads. Most versions in the Cisco Small Business line of APs support Cisco's Single Point Setup technology, which allows you to set up, manage and troubleshoot a group of access points from a single device through a simple browser-based interface. All versions include Power over Ethernet and feature QoS, rogue access point awareness, and bridge mode for wirelessly connecting to a second Ethernet LAN.

Cisco's Small Business WAP121 Access Point is a wallmount, single-band 2.4GHz unit able to support 16 active 802.11b/g/n clients, includes a 10/100 Ethernet interface, permits up to 4 access pointss and 40 wireless clients per cluster, and can handle data rates of 300 Mbps. Cisco's Small Business WAP131 is a desktop dual-band 2.4/5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n AP that can support 16 active wireless clients per radio for up to 32 clients, includes a 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN interface, and delivers sustained data rates of up to 300 Mbps for each radio. The WAP131 does not support clustering. Cisco's WAP150 is an entry-level dual-radio AC/n wireless access point that includes a one Gbit Power over Ethernet (PoE) port and can support up to 16 clients from each radio with 867 Mbps performance for AC devices and 300 Mbps for 802.11n clients. Cisco's Small Business WAP150 allows four APs per cluster.

The Cisco Small Business WAP321 Access Point is a wallmount single-band (either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) 802.11a/b/g/n device that can handle 80 wireless clients in an 8-device cluster. The WAP321 features a GE port and can deliver throughput of 300 Mbps for the selected radio. Cisco's WAP351 is a dual-band 802.11n access point with a 5-port Gigabit Ethernet interface and can handle 32 wireless clients per radio for up to 64 active clients, and support a sustained data rate of 300 Mbps for each radio. The WAP351 access point does not allow clustering. The Cisco Small Business WAP361 is a dual-band 2.4/5 GHz 802.11ac access point that features a 5 x Gb Ethernet LAN switch, can support 32 clients per radio, and offers 867 Mbps performance for 802.11ac clients and 300 Mbps performance for 802.11n devices. The Cisco Small Business WAP361 supports 8 WAP361 access points per cluster. Cisco's wallmount Small Business WAP371 Wireless-AC/N is a dual-band device that works with 802.11a/b/g/n as well as the latest 802.11ac wireless networking specification. The WAP371 includes a 10/100/1000 Ethernet interface, can handle up to 32 wireless clients on each radio, and eight APs for each cluster.

Cisco's Small Business WAP561 802.11n Dual Radio access point features one Gigabit Ethernet interface and dual radios (2.4 and 5.0 GHz) that deliver 450 Mbps performance per radio, support 64 clients per radio, and allow up to 16 access points for each cluster. The Cisco WAP551 is like Cisco's WAP 561 but has a single selectable band. The Cisco WAP571 and WAP571E (a weather-proof outside version) are dual-band Wireless-AC/N wireless access points incorporating 2 x GE LAN interfaces with link aggregation (LAG), and as high as 1.9 Gbps performance with 1300 Mbps on 802.11ac and 600 Mbps on 11n. Both units can handle 32 active WAN clients on each radio and 16 APs on each cluster.

Cisco's Small Business WAP581 Wireless-AC Wave 2 Access Point complies with the Wi-Fi 5 specification and offers 4x4 and 3x3 MU-MIMO to provide 2.8 Gbps data rates on the 5.0-Ghz radio and 600 Mbps at 2.4 GHz for a total top data rate of 2.4 Gbps. The WAP581 includes an integrated 2.5G Ethernet port and a 10/100/1000 Ethernet interface with 802.3at PoE. The WAP581 Wave 2 Wi-Fi 5 access point supports as many as 200 connective users, a maximum of 50 active users for each radio, 16 access points for each cluster, and 960 active users per cluster.

To find out more about Progent's support for both current and older Cisco Small Business family of WiFi APs, see Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 wireless APs planning and support.

The Aironet Family of Access Points
The Aironet line of wireless APs has consistently been the top-selling access point solution. Aironet access points run the gamut from value priced devices to advanced APs. Cisco's Aironet line span several generations of devices compliant with the continually improving 802 standard. Cisco's current portfolio of Aironet wireless access points support Cisco's Unified Wireless Network software and incorporate 802.11ac Wi-Fi support, which delivers three times the throughput as well as superior coverage and density in comparison to the previous generation of devices. Cisco's current multi-band Aironet APs continue to handle 802.11n at 2.4 GHz for clients that lack 802.11ac radios.

The oldest Aironet APs are legacy devices that have reached end-of-life status and are no longer fully supported by Cisco. Progent still offers support for the complete Aironet line of access points and can help you to maintain your current Aironet Wi-Fi environment or upgrade efficiently to current Aironet products. To find out more about Progent's support for current and legacy Aironet wireless access points, see Aironet wireless access points planning and support.

Cisco's Meraki Wireless Access Points
Cisco's portfolio of Meraki dual-band 2.4/5 GHz indoor APs range from budget-friendly devices for general use to enterprise-class products supporting as high as 5.9 Gigabit per second performance. Each Cisco Meraki indoor wireless access point provides high-end capabilities like self-configuring plug-and-play deployment, in-depth security, BYOD support, extensive traffic analysis, zero-touch web-based firmware updates, and consolidated cloud-based management for multiple sites. Each Meraki indoor wireless access point also includes two high-power client-serving radios with boosted reception plus a separate radio that provides intrusion detection and prevention system (WIDS/WIPS) security for threat detection and deep packet inspection.

Cisco's Meraki outdoor wireless access points are IP67 certified, designed to withstand rugged outdoor conditions, and able to withstand dust, shock and humidity. Meraki outdoor access points include a 1 x Gbit Ethernet port and offer advanced features such as cloud-based management with multi-site visibility and control, 802.1X integration, built-in antivirus scan, 1-click guest access and isolation firewall, application-aware traffic shaping, plus self-configuring mesh with MIMO. For more information about Progent's support for Meraki APs and cloud management, refer to Cisco's Meraki wireless access points consulting services.

Catalyst 9100 Family of 802.11ax APs
Cisco's Catalyst 9100 line of Wi-Fi 6 APs are intended for deployments ranging from home offices to high-density stadiums. Catalyst 9100 access points are compliant with the 802.11ax specification, referred to as Wi-Fi 6, which in turn builds on the previous 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) specification. Unlike 802.11ac, Wi-Fi 6 is able to use both the 2.4-Ghz and 5-GHz radio bands. Important technologies incorporated in Catalyst 9100 Series APs include OFDMA scheduling for high density deployments, dual NAVs for improved dependability, TWT for reduced power usage in battery-dependent endpoints, adaptive sensitivity thresholds for better spectrum use, and extended guard intervals for improved outdoor performance. All Cisco Catalyst 9100 802.11ax APs can run Cisco's EWC, accommodate as many as 200 client users per Wi-Fi radio, and are powered by Cisco IOS XE Software. To find out more about Progent's support for Catalyst 9100 Line of Wireless APs, see 802.11ax access points solution planning, configuration, and troubleshooting consulting.

Cisco 9800 Series Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wi-Fi 6-compatible wireless LAN controller appliances help you automate and manage modern wireless networks that support 802.11ax APs. The 802.11ax standard, also called Wi-Fi 6, builds on prior generation 802.11ac (called Wi-Fi 5) devices by delivering lower latency and more predictable performance, supporting higher client density, offering greater protection, saving energy for battery-powered mobile devices, and offering more flexibility for handling the latest kinds of Internet-of-Things endpoints. Catalyst 9800 Series Wi-Fi controllers include always-on availability with seamless software updates, hot fixes, and the ability to connect additional APs without service interruption. Enhanced security features include Cisco Wireless Intrusion Prevention System (WIPS), image signing, and Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access). Streaming telemetry allows you to track and understand infrastructure and endpoint health.

All controllers in the Catalyst 9800 family are based on Cisco's IOS XE Software and operate with Cisco's DNA Center (DNAC) or with Prime Infrastructure network management platforms. Cisco's Catalyst 9800 wireless LAN controllers can manage Cisco Aironet Wi-Fi 5 Wave 1 and Wave 2 APs as well as Catalyst 9100 Series 802.11ax wireless APs. To find out more about Progent's support for Cisco 9800 line of Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers, see Catalyst 9800 family of Wi-Fi 6 wireless LAN controller appliances solution design, deployment, and troubleshooting services.

Cisco Wi-Fi 5 802.11ac Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco Wave 2 wireless controllers enable fast communication, provisioning, administration, monitoring and debugging for Cisco wireless appliances and services. Cisco offers both physical and virtual wireless controllers for unified administration of wireless environments, but systems with a large number of Wi-Fi APs typically require hardware-based Wi-Fi controllers. New Wi-Fi controller devices from Cisco offer major benefits over Wave 1 and older products including higher throughput, simultaneous support for both 1G and 10G interfaces, improved application visibility and control, and hardened, integrated security.

The Cisco 3504 WiFi Controller is a value-priced device available in a desktop enclosure and designed for smaller organizations. You can install the 3504 model in a centralized network architecture such as in lean branch and home-based offices managed across the wide-area network with Cisco FlexConnect, or in bridge deployments where Ethernet cabling is sparse. The 3504 Wi-Fi controller can handle as many as 150 APs and 3,000 clients, delivers 4 Gbps performance, and supports 4,096 VLANs. Cisco's 3504 wireless controller includes a multi-gigabit Ethernet interface (up to 5 Gigabit Ethernet) and four 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports. APs can be connected directly to the controller via two Power over Ethernet ports. The 3504 Wi-Fi controller features subsecond failover for access points and users, which allows uninterrupted availability for apps. Like other Wave 2 Wi-Fi controllers from Cisco, the 3504 model has the integrated ability to work with Cisco Prime Infrastructure, Cisco Mobility Services Engine, and Cisco 5520 and 8540 wireless controllers.

The Cisco 5520 WiFi Controller, available in a 1 rack unit (RU) package, is intended to support larger organizations and campus environments and can be run in centralized, distributed, and mesh architectures. The 5520 Wi-Fi controller supports as many as 1,500 wireless APs and 20,000 client users, offers 20 Gbps throughput, and supports 4,096 VLANs. The 5520 WiFi controller features two 10 GE interfaces and incorporates solid-state storage, redundant fans, optional dual power supplies, and subsecond failover for uninterrupted availability.

The Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller, offered in a 2 rack unit enclosure, is a top-of-the-line WiFi controller intended to support enterprises, service providers, and large campuses. The 8540 WiFi controller can be run in centralized, distributed, and mesh deployments and supports up to 6,000 access points and 64,000 clients. The 8540 WiFi controller can deliver throughput as high as 40 Gbps and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. The 8340 comes with four 1-GB or 10GE ports and features solid-state storage, redundant power supplies, backup fans, and rapid failover.

Wave 1 Cisco Wireless Network Controllers
Cisco wireless controllers reduce the effort and cost needed to configure, manage, and troubleshoot wireless networks by offering single-point control of critical functions such as provisioning APs, enforcing single-point policies across converged wired/wireless networks, supporting enterprise-wide QoS for voice and video, tracking and troubleshooting system performance, implementing intrusion prevention capabilities to defend against unauthorized access and Distributed Denial of Service attacks, and handling IPv6 clients. Cisco has developed wireless LAN controllers for businesses of any size and can provide desktop or rackmount appliances, modular add-on controllers for Cisco routers and switches, and Catalyst switches with built-in wireless network controllers.

Cisco's Wave 1 wireless LAN controllers include Cisco CleanAir tools to minimize signal interference and create self-optimizing wireless LANs for top 802.11n and 802.11ac throughput and security. Built-in Bonjour Gateways enable discovery and policy across WLAN, LAN and WAN for Apple-based applications. For fault tolerance, Cisco wireless controllers support access point and client stateful switchover by enabling a standby HA wireless controller to synch with a primary controller for AP license tabulation, CAPWAP keys, and access point CAPWAP state. If the primary wireless controller goes down, thousands of access points and clients can failover in less than a second to the secondary wireless controller.

Cisco's Wireless Controller Module for ISR Routers with UCS-E offers basic 802.11n and 802.11ac support for Cisco 2900 and 3900 Series routers used by smaller businesses and branch offices. This affordable and scalable solution can handle from five to 200 wireless access points and as many as 6000 clients. (To learn concerning Progent's remote and onsite consulting and troubleshooting support for Cisco routers, see Cisco router deployment and troubleshooting consulting.)

Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series are 1RU form-factor switches intended for small to mid-size businesses and branch offices and come with an integrated wireless LAN controller with the ability to handle up to 40 Gb of wireless capacity for each switch and up to 25 APs and 1000 wireless clients per switch. Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series are 1RU switches intended for midsize businesses and large enterprises and feature a built-in wireless network controller supporting up to 40 Gb of wireless capacity per switch and the ability to handle up to 50 APs and up to 2000 wireless clients. The Wireless Services Module2 (WiSM2) is an add-in blade for Catalyst 6500 Series switches that include a built-in wireless controller intended for mid-to-large size businesses and able to deliver 20 Gbps performance and able to handle up to 1000 APs and up to 15,000 clients. (For information concerning Progent's consulting services for Catalyst switches, refer to Catalyst switches deployment and troubleshooting consulting.)

Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controllers are economical desktop devices that streamline the provisioning and management of wireless networks for small to medium-sized enterprises and branches. The Cisco 2500 wireless network controller can handle from five to 75 APs 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 manage 500 access points and 7,000 clients while delivering 8 Gbps throughput. Cisco's 5760 Wireless Controller is a 1RU device designed for mid-to-large campus environments with support for up to 1000 access points and 12,000 clients and delivering performance of 60 Gbps to handle high client densities and high amounts of media-rich applications.

The Cisco Flex 7500 Series Wireless Controller is intended to enable centralized management of thousands of wireless remote sites from one location, avoiding the costs of a wireless controller at each branch. The 1RU Flex 7500 allows you to build a private cloud to deploy, track, manage, and troubleshoot up to 6000 access points and 64,000 clients while handling 1 Gbps throughput. The Cisco 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 be expanded to support 6000 APs and up to 64,000 wireless clients while delivering 10 Gbps performance.

To learn more about Cisco wireless controllers, go to Cisco Wi-Fi controllers consulting and integration.

Legacy Cisco APs, LAN Bridges and Wi-Fi Controllers Supported by Progent
The 802.11ac standard for wireless connectivity virtually rendered obsolete all earlier releases of Wi-Fi devices for environments that support high densities of wireless clients and high incidence of HD video applications. Even for businesses who do not need the bandwidth efficiency of 802.11ac, many of Cisco wireless devices have arrived at end-of-life status, which can represent serious service and compliance problems. Progent's Cisco-certified consulting experts provide remote and on-premises support for a broad array of older-generation Cisco wireless products. Progent can also help companies to evaluate the business case for upgrading up-of-date wireless infrastructure and can help in designing and carrying out cost-effective, seamless migrations. The following are a sample of Cisco older-generation Wi-Fi devices that Progent's consultants still support.

Legacy Cisco Aironet APs
Aironet 1000 or 1130AG Series wireless access points are ideal for conventional workplaces and other venues which have little environmental instability. These access points include integrated antennas that offer predictable omnidirectional range patterns. The 1130G Series wireless access point is available for restricted locations that do not allow 5GHz transmission.

Aironet 1230AG or 1240AG family APs are intended for more challenging radio frequency environments like factories and warehouses or above ceiling structures which typically require flexible external antennas and rugged metal cases. The Aironet 1240G Series access point is available for restricted domains that do not permit 802.11a/5GHz transmission.

Cisco Aironet 1500 lightweight outdoor mesh access points provide a cost-effective, expandable, protected outdoor wireless network technology for campus areas and for public venues that need connectivity for portable devices.

Legacy Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Bridges
Cisco Aironet wireless bridges provide a high-performance and multi-featured solution for integrating numerous LANs in a metropolitan area or public wireless network. Cisco Aironet wireless LAN bridges provide a flexible, easy-to-use technology that satisfies the security needs of public networking specialists. They support both P2P and P2MP implementations with excellent range and the ability to handle traffic throughput up to 54 Mbps.

Cisco wireless LAN bridges deliver data rates dramatically faster than E1/T1 links for a fraction of the expense, erasing the requirement for expensive leased lines when connecting separate buildings. Because wireless bridges have no periodic charges, the expenses saved on leased-line bills quickly cover the initial equipment investment. Self-installed private lines and in some cases leased lines using metal or fiber-optic cable often result in considerable initial costs if they are impeded by barriers such as freeways, train tracks, or lakes and rivers. Cisco wireless LAN bridges can be installed rapidly with a fast return on investment.

Aironet 1300 outside wireless access points/bridges can be deployed as independent wireless access points, wireless bridges, or workgroup bridges. These products have a tough cover and offer fast, economical wireless connectivity between numerous stationary or mobile environments and clients.

Aironet 1400 Series bridges provide high-speed, dependable outside connections for line-of-sight applications. These devices include a durable enclosure that is optimized for severe outside conditions and operate in wide temperature ranges.

Legacy Cisco WLAN Controllers
Cisco Wireless Controllers centralize the management of WLANs by streamlining the control of common technologies such as integrated intrusion prevention system (IPS), real-time RF management, automatic configuration, and full N+1 redundancy. Cisco Wireless Network controllers work with lightweight APs to offer superior throughput and advanced control functions.

Cisco WLAN Controllers (WLCs) provide the manageability, scalability, protection, and resilience that system managers need to build secure, enterprise-scale wireless networks, from satellite locations to small companies to headquarter campuses. Cisco's first-generation Wireless Controllers can be clustered to provide support for up to 2400 access points per roaming domain.

The Cisco WLCM or WLCM-E Module for IS Routers offers small-to medium businesses and large corporations an affordable way to implement and control protected WLANs at branch offices. These products supervise as many as 12 Aironet wireless access points and are installable in Cisco 2800/3800 Series IS Routers and 3700 Routers. (For information concerning Progent's online and onsite support for Cisco routers, refer to Cisco router deployment and troubleshooting support.)

How Progent Can Help Your Business with Cisco Wireless Devices
Progent can provide a Cisco-certified expert to help your business to design, deploy, manage and troubleshoot a converged wired/wireless infrastructure incorporating a broad range of wireless technologies that offer the same security, extensibility, and manageability you expect from a wired network. Progent can assist you to support legacy Wi-Fi products from Cisco or migrate efficiently to the latest 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 technology. Progent's CISM and CISSP security specialists can show you how to build security into your wireless network and your company's processes. Progent's disaster recovery planning consultants and business continuity consultants can help you to deploy the high availability technology incorporated into Cisco's wired/wireless products so your converged network delivers significant business value.

Progent's Wi-Fi Site Survey assists you to design and deploy a robust wireless network optimized for your environment, providing a wireless ecosystem that delivers seamless coverage, high performance and density, QoS to accommodate IP video, advanced security, and streamlined management. Progent's Wireless Site Survey can be delivered online to cut time and expense, or on premises for more complex situations.

For a more in-depth discussion of Progent's wireless consulting capabilities, see Progent's Wireless Network Consulting Services.

For additional information concerning Progent's professional expertise for Cisco solutions, select a subject:

• Introduction to Progent's Cisco Support
• Fast Remote Help from a Cisco CCIE Engineer
• Cisco Firepower NGFW Firewalls: Configuration and Management Support
• Cisco ASA 5500-X Firewall with Firepower: Consulting and Management Expertise
• Cisco ASA 5500 Firewall Upgrade. Migration Support
• PIX Series Firewall Management Assistance
• Cisco Routers Engineering Support
• Aironet Wireless APs Deployment Services
• Cisco Small Business Wireless Access Points Consulting Help
• Cisco Catalyst 802.11ax Wireless Access Points Planning, Deployment and Troubleshooting Expertise
• Cisco WiFi Controllers Support Services
• Meraki Wireless Access Points Engineering Support
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and CallManager Configuration and Troubleshooting
• Cisco Voice over IP (VoIP) Phones and IP Video Desktop Phones Expertise and Cisco Wireless VoIP Phone Solutions
• Cisco Jabber Deployment Services
• Cisco Catalyst Switches Consulting and Support Services
• Nexus Switches Consulting and Support Services
• Cisco Meraki Switches Deployment Expertise
• Cisco Security and VPN Consulting Services
• SIP and CUBE Infrastructure Solutions: SIP Trunks and Cisco CUBE Integration Expertise
• Design and Support for Cisco-powered Datacenters and Colocation Centers
• Infrastructure Design Expertise for Internet Service Providers
• Streamlined Network Management Strategies for Cisco Infrastructure