Cisco Certified Network Consultants

Cisco offers an extensive catalog of wireless networking products and technologies engineered to enable anywhere, anytime connections to data and other resources and to facilitate collaboration among workers, partners, vendors, and clients. Cisco's wireless products include Cisco's Small Business, Aironet and Meraki lines of access points, plus Cisco's Wireless Network Controller plug-ins and standalone devices. Progent's Cisco-certified wireless experts can enable businesses of any size to deploy Cisco wireless solutions to support the current model of BYOD computing by integrating their tethered and untethered networks to benefit from easy deployment, consistent and fast performance, single-point management, enterprise-wide policy enforcement, high availability, and across-the-board protection.

The Cisco Unified Wireless architecture can scale to up to 18,000 access points with full Layer 3 connectivity across central or offsite locations like enterprise headquarters, college auditoriums, branches, and telecommuter homes. Cisco's Wi-Fi wireless access points and wireless controllers are part of Cisco's Unified Wireless Network and are designed to support the identical level of security, throughput, and ease of management for WLANs that businesses demand in their wired infrastructure. Cisco's architecture includes built-in mobile services like IP voice, IP video, and safe guest connectivity. Cisco's Unified Wireless solution enables companies to create wireless environments that improve the way they do business and enhance productivity via a dynamic and connected workforce.

Progent's Cisco-certified network consulting services can provide online or onsite support to help your organization to plan, deploy, maintain, upgrade, and repair converged wired and wireless network infrastructure of all sizes and for any environment. Also, Progent can provide economical remote and on-premises wireless site surveys to help you to plan and deploy a wireless LAN with custom-designed AP clustering optimized for your individual office layout, building structure, and intended application.

Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst Wireless Access Points
Cisco's Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst lines of access points enable businesses to converge wired and wireless networks to deliver the coverage, capacity, performance, security and ease of management needed to support practically any environment. These APs range from entry-level, single-band 802.11b/g/n units with data rates of 300 Mbps intended for very small companies or home offices to Wi-Fi 6 wireless access points suitable for handling hundreds of clients on each AP and offering sustained data rates of more than 5 Gb. Cisco's current line of access points can be clustered to deliver the capacity to handle wireless networks with high client density and with a high incidence of video-intense apps.

Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 Family of Access Points
Cisco's Small Business Series of access points are Linux-based devices intended as entry-level wireless solutions for small offices. Most versions in the Cisco Small Business line of wireless access points support Cisco's Single Point Setup system, which makes it possible to configure, control and troubleshoot a cluster of access points from one device through a simple browser-based interface. All of the models include Power over Ethernet and provide Quality of Service (QoS), rogue access point detection, and bridging for connecting to another network.

Cisco's Small Business WAP121 AP is a wall-mountable, single-band 2.4GHz device able to support 16 active 802.11n wireless clients, has a 10/100 Ethernet interface, allows up to four access pointss and 40 wireless clients in a cluster, and can handle sustained data rates of 300 Mbps. The Cisco Small Business WAP131 is a desktop dual-band 2.4/5 GHz 802.11n wireless access point able to handle 16 active wireless clients per radio for a total of up to 32 clients, features a GE interface, and delivers throughput of up to 300 Mbps per radio. The WAP131 Wireless-N does not support AP clustering. The Cisco Small Business WAP150 is a value-priced dual-radio AC/n AP that includes a 1xGE Power over Ethernet port and can handle up to 16 clients per radio with 867 Mbps performance for AC devices and 300 Mbps for 802.11n devices. The Cisco Small Business WAP150 supports 4 access points for each cluster.

Cisco's Small Business WAP321 Access Point is a wall-mountable single-band (either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) 802.11n unit that can handle 80 active wireless clients sharing an 8-device cluster. The Cisco WAP321 has a GE port and can deliver throughput of 300 Mbps for the activated radio. Cisco's Small Business WAP351 is a dual-radio 2.4/5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n access point with a 5-port Gigabit Ethernet interface and can handle 32 wireless clients on each radio for a total of up to 64 active clients, and support a sustained data rate of 300 Mbps for each radio. The WAP351 does not support clustering. Cisco's Small Business WAP361 is a dual-radio 802.11ac AP that includes a 5-port Gigabit Ethernet LAN switch, can support 32 clients on each radio, and delivers 867 Mbps throughput for 802.11ac devices and 300 Mbps performance for 802.11n clients. The Cisco WAP361 supports eight access points for each cluster. Cisco's wallmount WAP371 Wireless-AC/N is a dual-radio device that works with 802.11a/b/g/n as well as the latest 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard. The WAP371 includes a GE port, can handle up to 32 active clients per radio, and 8 access points for each cluster.

Cisco's Small Business WAP561 802.11n Dual Radio wireless access point includes one GE port and two radios that deliver 450 Mbps throughput per radio, support 64 devices for each radio, and allow up to 16 wireless access points for each cluster. Cisco's WAP551 is similar to Cisco's WAP 561 but has a single radio selectable band. Cisco's Small Business WAP571 and WAP571E (a weather-proof outdoor version) are dual-band 2.4/5 GHz Wireless-AC/N APs incorporating 2 x GE interfaces with link aggregation (LAG), 3x3 MIMO, and as high as 1.9 Gbps performance with 1300 Mbps over 802.11ac and 600 Mbps over 802.11n. Both access points can handle 32 clients per radio and 16 APs on each cluster.

The Cisco WAP581 Wireless-AC Dual Radio Wave 2 AP complies with the 802.11ac specification and offers 4x4 and 3x3 MU-MIMO technology to deliver 2.8 Gbps data rates on the 5.0-Ghz radio and 600 Mbps at 2.4 GHz for an aggregate top throughput of 2.4 Gbps. The Small Business WAP581 includes an integrated 2.5G Ethernet port and a 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN interface with 802.3at PoE. The WAP581 Wave 2 Wi-Fi 5 AP supports up to 200 connective users, a maximum of 50 active users for each radio, 16 APs per cluster, and 960 active client users per cluster.

To learn more about Progent's support for both current and legacy Cisco Small Business series of wireless APs, see Cisco Small Business WiFi APs configuration and troubleshooting.

The Aironet Line of Access Points
The Aironet portfolio of indoor and outdoor wireless APs has for years been the market leading access point product. Aironet access points run the gamut from entry-level models to enterprise-class APs. The Aironet line span multiple generations of models supporting the evolving Wi-Fi specification. Cisco's latest portfolio of Aironet wireless access points support Cisco's Unified Wireless Network software and include 802.11ac support, which offers triple the performance plus greater distance and density compared to the previous generation of devices. Cisco's latest multi-frequency Aironet APs continue to accommodate 802.11n at 2.4 GHz for client devices without 802.11ac capability.

The earliest Aironet APs are now legacy devices that have reached end-of-sale status and are not supported by Cisco. Progent continues to support the entire Aironet family of access points and can help you to manage and troubleshoot your existing Aironet Wi-Fi system or upgrade cost effectively to the latest Aironet technology. For details about Progent's support for both current and outdated Aironet access points, refer to Cisco Aironet wireless access points consulting.

Cisco's Meraki Access Points
Cisco's portfolio of Meraki 2.4/5 GHz indoor APs include value-priced models for small businesses to advanced units supporting up to 5.9 Gbit/sec throughput. Each Cisco Meraki indoor wireless access point provides high-end capabilities such as plug-and-play deployment, in-depth security, BYOD support, extensive analytics, zero-touch over-the-web firmware updates, and unified cloud-based management for multiple sites. Each Meraki indoor wireless access point also includes two high-power radios with enhanced reception as well as a dedicated radio that provides intrusion detection and prevention system (WIDS/WIPS) security for threat detection and deep packet inspection at line rate.

Meraki outdoor access points are IP67 rated, designed to withstand rugged outdoor conditions, and tested to resist dust particles, shock and moisture. Cisco's Meraki outdoor wireless access points include a 1 x Gbit Ethernet port and offer advanced capabilities that include cloud-based management with network-wide visibility, 802.1X and native Active Directory integration, built-in antivirus scan, single-click guest access and guest isolation firewall, Layer 7 traffic shaping, plus self-configuring mesh with MIMO. For more information about Progent's consulting services for Cisco's Meraki access points and management, refer to Cisco's Meraki access points system design and troubleshooting.

Catalyst 9100 Series Wireless APs
Cisco's Catalyst 9100 family of Wi-Fi 6 access points are intended for environments ranging from telecommuter homes to crowded enterprise campuses. Cisco Catalyst 9100 access points are based on 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 bands. Important enhancements supported by Catalyst 9100 Series APs include MU-MIMO support for uplink traffic, dual NAVs for improved dependability, Target Wake Time for conserving power consumption in battery-dependent endpoints, adaptive power and sensitivity thresholds for more efficient spectrum use, and dynamic fragmentation for reduced overhead. All Cisco Catalyst 9100 Series 802.11ax APs can run Cisco's Embedded Wireless Controller, handle as many as 200 clients per radio, and are powered by Cisco IOS XE Software. To find out more about Progent's consulting services for Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Line of Wireless APs, see Wi-Fi 6 access points system planning, deployment, and troubleshooting consulting.

Cisco 9800 Series Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers
Cisco Catalyst 9800 family of Wi-Fi 6-compatible wireless LAN controller appliances allow you to manage modern wireless networks that incorporate 802.11ax Wi-Fi access points. The 802.11ax standard, popularly known as Wi-Fi 6, improves on prior generation 802.11ac (referred to as Wi-Fi 5) appliances by providing less latency and more reliable performance, allowing higher client density, providing greater protection, conserving energy for battery-powered handheld devices, and allowing more flexibility for supporting new types of Internet-of-Things endpoints. Cisco's Catalyst 9800 Series Wi-Fi controllers feature high availability with transparent software upgrades, hot patching, and the ability to connect additional APs without downtime. Enhanced cybersecurity features include Cisco Wireless Intrusion Prevention System (WIPS), image signing, and Software-Defined Access. Streaming telemetry permits you to monitor and analyze infrastructure and client health.

All controllers in the Catalyst 9800 line are based on Cisco's IOS XE Software and work with Cisco's DNA Center (DNAC) or with Cisco Prime Infrastructure management platforms. Catalyst 9800 Series wireless network controllers can support Cisco Aironet 802.11ac Wave 1 and Wave 2 access points as well as Cisco Catalyst 9100 Series 802.11ax Wi-Fi access points. For details about Progent's consulting services for Cisco 9800 line of 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers, refer to Cisco Catalyst 9800 line of Wi-Fi 6 wireless LAN controller appliances solution planning, deployment, and troubleshooting consulting.

Cisco Wave 2 802.11ac Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco Wave 2 wireless controllers enable fast data exchange, configuration, administration, monitoring and debugging for Cisco wireless devices and software services. Cisco has developed both physical and virtual Wi-Fi controllers for unified administration of wireless networks, but WLANs with many Wi-Fi access points typically require physical wireless controllers. Wave 2 Wi-Fi controller devices from Cisco offer significant benefits over Wave 1 and earlier products such as higher throughput, simultaneous support for both 1G and 10G Ethernet, enhanced application visibility and control, and advanced, integrated security.

The Cisco 3504 WiFi Controller is a value-priced device with a desktop enclosure and intended for small and medium-sized businesses. You can install the 3504 in a centralized WLAN environment such as in lean branch and remote offices administered over the wide-area network via Cisco FlexConnect, or in bridge installations where wiring is sparse. The 3504 wireless controller supports up to 150 WiFi access points and 3,000 clients, delivers 4 Gbps throughput, and supports 4,096 VLANs. Cisco's 3504 wireless controller includes a Cisco Multigigabit interface and four 1-Gigabit Ethernet connections. APs can be attached directly to the controller via two Power over Ethernet ports. The 3504 wireless controller offers fast failover for access points and clients, which provides nonstop availability for applications. As with other current Wave 2 wireless controllers available from Cisco, the 3504 device has the integrated ability to work with Cisco Prime Infrastructure, Cisco Mobility Services Engine, and Cisco 5520 and 8540 WLAN controllers.

The Cisco 5520 WiFi Controller, available in a 1 rack unit enclosure, is intended to support larger enterprises and campus networks and can be run in centralized, distributed, and mesh architectures. The 5520 wireless controller can handle as many as 1,500 APs and 20,000 users, offers 20 Gbps performance, and supports 4,096 VLANs. The 5520 wireless controller includes two 10 GE ports and features SSD storage, backup fans, optional redundant power supplies, and rapid failover for high availability.

Cisco's 8540 Wireless Controller, offered in a 2 rack unit (RU) enclosure, is a top-of-the-line wireless controller designed to support enterprises, service providers, and large campus environments. The 8540 Wireless controller can be run in centralized, distributed, and mesh architectures and supports up to 6,000 wireless APs and 64,000 client users. The 8540 WiFi controller offers data rates as high as 40 Gbps and supports 4,096 VLANs. The 8540 controller comes with four 1-GB or 10GE ports and features solid-state storage, dual power supplies, backup fans, and rapid failover.

Wave 1 Cisco WiFi LAN Controllers
Cisco wireless LAN controllers reduce the time and expense required to configure, monitor, and operate Wi-Fi networks by offering single-point control of critical functions such as setting up APs, enforcing consistent policies across converged wired/wireless networks, supporting enterprise-wide Quality of Service (QoS) for voice and video, monitoring and troubleshooting network performance, activating wireless intrusion prevention system (wIPS) tools to defend against unauthorized access and Distributed Denial of Service attacks, and handling IPv6 clients. Cisco has developed wireless LAN controllers for organizations of any size and offers standalone desktop appliances, modular add-on controllers for Cisco ISR routers and switches, and Catalyst switches with built-in wireless network controllers.

Cisco's Wave 1 wireless network controllers include Cisco CleanAir tools to avoid RF interference and create self-healing and self-optimizing wireless networks for maximum 802.11n and 802.11ac performance and security. Built-in Apple Bonjour Gateways enable discovery and policy across WLAN, LAN and WAN for Apple-based applications. For high availability (HA), Cisco wireless LAN controllers allow AP and client stateful switchover by permitting a backup HA wireless controller to synchronize with a main wireless controller for AP license count, CAPWAP keys, and access point CAPWAP state. In case the primary wireless controller goes down, thousands of APs and clients can failover at subsecond speeds to the secondary wireless network controller.

Cisco's Wireless Controller Module for ISR G2 Routers with UCS-E offers entry-level 802.11n and 802.11ac capability for 2900 and 3900 Series routers deployed by smaller organizations and branches. This affordable and expandable module can handle from five to 200 wireless access points and up to 6000 clients. (To find out about Progent's online and onsite consulting support services for Cisco routers, refer to Cisco router deployment and troubleshooting consulting.)

Catalyst 3650 Series are 1RU form-factor switches designed for small to mid-size businesses and branches and have a built-in wireless LAN controller with the capability to handle 40 Gb of wireless capacity for each switch and up to 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 controller supporting up to 40 Gb of wireless capacity per switch and the ability to handle 50 wireless access points and up to 2000 clients. The WiSM2 is an add-in blade for Catalyst 6500 Series switches that include an integrated wireless LAN controller designed for mid-to-large size enterprises and capable of 20 Gbps performance and with support for 1000 access points and as many as 15,000 wireless clients. (To find out concerning Progent's support for Catalyst switches, refer to Cisco Catalyst switches deployment and troubleshooting support.)

Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controllers are entry-level desktop appliances that streamline the deployment and management of Wi-Fi networks for small and midsize businesses and branch offices. The Cisco 2500 Series wireless network controller can manage 5 to 75 access points and 1000 clients and can deliver sustained data rates of 1 Gbps.

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

The Cisco Flex 7500 Wireless Controller is intended to enable centralized management of massive collections of wireless branches from one datacenter, avoiding the requirement for a wireless controller at each remote site. The 1RU Flex 7500 appliance lets you establish a private cloud to configure, monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot up to 6000 APs and 64,000 clients while supporting 1 Gbps performance. Cisco's 8500 Series Wireless Controller is a 1RU rackmount device designed to monitor and manage wireless environments for large campuses or for service providers and can be expanded to handle 6000 wireless points and 64,000 wireless clients while offering 10 Gbps throughput.

For more information about Cisco wireless controllers, see Cisco Wi-Fi controllers consulting services.

Legacy Cisco Wireless Access Points, LAN Bridges and Controllers Supported by Progent
The IEEE 802.11ac standard for Wi-Fi largely made obsolete all previous releases of Wi-Fi products for many venues that have high densities of clients and high usage of video-intensive software applications. Even for businesses who do not currently require the bandwidth efficiency of 802.11ac Wi-Fi, a large number of Cisco wireless products have arrived at end-of-sale or end-of-support status, which can present serious maintenance and regulatory compliance issues. Progent's Cisco-certified consulting experts offer online and onsite support for a broad range of earlier-generation Cisco wireless products. Progent can also assist organizations to assess the potential ROI for upgrading legacy wireless technology and can assist in designing and executing cost-effective, seamless upgrades. The following are a few of Cisco legacy Wi-Fi products that Progent's consulting experts still support.

Legacy Cisco Aironet Access Points
Aironet 1000 or 1130AG family APs are intended for conventional workplaces and similar venues which have little environmental variability. These access points include built-in antennas that offer dependable omnidirectional range patterns. The 1130G family wireless access point is available for controlled domains that do not permit 802.11a transmission.

Aironet 1230AG or 1240AG family APs are designed for more difficult radio frequency environments such as manufacturing plants or above ceiling structures which typically call for adjustable protruding antennas and rugged metal cases. The 1240G family access point is designed for regulatory domains that do not permit 802.11a transmission.

Cisco Aironet 1500 lightweight outdoor wireless mesh APs offer an economical, scalable, protected outdoor wireless mechanism for campus areas and for public venues that need connectivity for mobile devices.

Legacy Cisco Aironet Wireless Bridges
Cisco wireless LAN bridges provide a high-throughput and feature-rich solution for integrating multiple local area networks in a metropolitan area or public access network. Cisco bridges provide a versatile, easy-to-use technology that meets the protection needs of wide-area networking professionals. These devices manage both point-to-point and P2MP implementations with good range and support for data throughput as high as 54 Mbps.

Cisco wireless bridges deliver data rates substantially higher than E1/T1 links for a fraction of the expense, avoiding the need for expensive leased lines when connecting separate buildings. Because wireless bridges carry no periodic charges, savings on connection bills rapidly cover the startup hardware investment. Private lines and in some cases leased lines made of metal or optical cable can result in high up-front costs when they are separated by barriers like freeways, railroads, or bodies of water. Cisco wireless bridges can be installed rapidly an offer a fast return on investment.

Cisco Aironet 1300 Series outdoor access points/bridges can be deployed as stand-alone access points, wireless bridges, or workgroup bridges. These devices have a durable cover and offer fast, economical wireless connectivity between multiple fixed or mobile environments and users.

Cisco 1400 family bridges offer high-performance, dependable outdoor connections for LOS applications. They include a durable enclosure that can hold up to harsh outside conditions and operate in broad temperature ranges.

Legacy Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco Wireless Network Controllers provide single-point management of wireless LANs by simplifying the control of key technologies such as integrated IPS, real-time RF control, automatic deployment, and full N+1 redundancy. Wireless LAN controllers work with small access points to deliver enhanced throughput and high-end administration capabilities.

WLAN Controllers provide the manageability, expandability, protection, and resilience that IT managers require to create safe, large-scale wireless solutions, from branch offices to small companies to headquarter campuses. Cisco's first-generation WLCs can be clustered to offer accommodation for as many as 2400 access points for each roaming domain.

The Cisco WLCM or WLCM-E Module for Integrated Services Routers offers small-to medium businesses (SMBs) and enterprises an economical way to implement and control secure WLANs at satellite locations. These wireless LAN controllers manage as many as 12 Cisco Aironet wireless access points and are supported on 2800/3800 Routers and 3700 Series IS Routers. (To learn about Progent's remote and on-premises consulting services for Cisco routers, see Cisco router configuration and management services.)

How Progent Can Assist Your Company with Cisco Wireless Technology
Progent can provide access to a Cisco-certified CCIE consultant to help your business to plan, deploy, maintain and repair a converged wired/wireless ecosystem integrating a broad range of wireless technologies that provide the same security, scalability, and manageability you expect from a wired network. Progent can assist you to manage legacy wireless products from Cisco or upgrade efficiently to current 802.11ax-compatible products. Progent's CISM and CISSP security consultants can advise you about how to build protection into your WLAN and your business processes. Progent's disaster recovery consultants and business continuity consultants can show you how to configure the high availability (HA) technology incorporated into Cisco's wired/wireless technologies so your converged network provides continuing business value.

Progent’s Wireless Site Survey assists you to design and deploy a robust wireless network customized for your facilities, providing a Wi-Fi ecosystem that provides comprehensive coverage, high performance and density, QoS to accommodate IP voice and video, advanced security and compliance, and easy management. Progent's Wireless Site Survey can be performed remotely to reduce time and costs, or onsite for more complex facilities.

For a further look at Progent's wireless integration services, see Progent's Wireless LAN Consulting Services.

To find out more information about Progent's engineering expertise for Cisco products, select a subject:

• Introduction to Progent's Cisco Network Support
• Timely Remote Access to a Cisco CCIE Engineer
• Cisco Firepower NGFW Series Firewalls: Integration and Troubleshooting Support
• Cisco ASA 5500-X Series Firewall with Firepower Services: Setup and Management Services
• ASA 5500 Firewall Management Assistance
• Cisco PIX 500 Firewall Troubleshooting Assistance
• Cisco Routers Configuration and Troubleshooting Support
• Cisco Aironet Wireless Access Points Engineering Support
• Cisco Small Business Wireless APs Deployment Expertise
• Catalyst 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 Wireless APs Planning, Configuration and Troubleshooting Services
• Cisco Wireless Controllers Consulting
• Meraki APs Design Services
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and CallManager Integration and Technical Support
• Cisco Voice over IP (VoIP) Phones and IP Video Desktop Phones Expertise and Cisco Wireless VoIP Phone Integration
• Cisco Jabber Consulting and Support Expertise
• Catalyst Switches Configuration and Maintenance Services
• Cisco Nexus Switches Deployment Services
• Cisco Meraki Switches Deployment Expertise
• Cisco Security and VPN Setup and Troubleshooting Expertise
• SIP and CUBE Infrastructure Solutions: SIP Trunks and CUBE Integration Consulting
• Design Expertise for Cisco-based Datacenters
• Network Optimization Expertise for ISPs
• Remote Network Management Technologies for Cisco Environments