Cisco offers a comprehensive line of wireless LAN products and technologies engineered to enable anywhere, anytime connections to information and resources and to promote collaboration among workers, partners, suppliers, and customers. Cisco's wireless product families include the Small Business, Aironet and Meraki series of access points (APs), as well as Cisco's Wireless Network Controller modules and standalone devices. Progent's certified wireless experts can help businesses of all sizes to deploy Cisco wireless products to accommodate the new paradigm of BYOD networks by converging their wired and wireless networks to benefit from simplified configuration, predictable throughput, single-point control, uniform policy enforcement, fault tolerance, and across-the-board protection.
The Cisco Unified Wireless solution can expand to up to 18,000 wireless access points with full Layer 3 connectivity at local or offsite locations such as business campuses, college lecture halls, branches, and telecommuter homes. Cisco's 802.11x access points and wireless controllers are components of Cisco's Unified Wireless Network and are designed to support the same level of security, throughput, and ease of management for wireless LANs that businesses expect in their wired networks. This architecture includes built-in mobility services like IP voice, HD video, and safe guest access. Cisco's Unified Wireless Network technology enables companies to create wireless environments that streamline the way they do business and improve output through a dynamic and collaborative workforce.
Progent's Cisco CCIE network consultants offers remote or on-premises expertise to help your organization to plan, configure, manage, expand, and repair converged wired and wireless networks of all sizes and for any environment. Also, Progent offers value-priced remote and on-premises wireless site surveys to assist you to design and deploy a Wi-Fi network with custom-designed access point clustering optimized for your specific office layout, building structure, and application workloads.
Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst Wireless Access Points
Cisco's Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst families of wireless access points enable businesses to converge wired and wireless networks to deliver the coverage, capacity, throughput, security compliance and ease of management required for virtually any environment. Cisco's wireless access points range from bare bones, single-band 802.11b/g/n devices with throughput of 300 Mbps for very small businesses or home offices to Wi-Fi 6 APs suitable for handling hundreds of clients on each access point and delivering throughput in excess of 5 Gb. Cisco's latest line of APs can be clustered to deliver the scale to support environments crowded with clients and with high usage rates of video-intense applications.
Cisco Small Business Family of Access Points
Cisco's Small Business Series of APs are Linux-powered devices intended as value-priced Wi-Fi APs for light workloads. Many models in the Cisco Small Business line of APs work with Cisco's Single Point Setup technology, which allows you to set up, control and troubleshoot a cluster of access points from a single device through an intuitive browser-based tool. All models support Power over Ethernet (POE) and feature QoS, rogue access point detection, and bridge mode for connecting to a second Ethernet LAN.
Cisco's Small Business WAP121 Wireless-N Access Point is a wall-mountable, single-radio 2.4GHz device able to handle 16 802.11n clients, includes a Fast Ethernet port, permits up to four AP devices and 40 active wireless clients per cluster, and supports sustained data rates of up to 300 Mbps. Cisco's WAP131 is a desktop dual-radio 802.11a/b/g/n AP that can handle 16 wireless clients per radio for a total of up to 32 clients, includes a Gigabit Ethernet port, and delivers sustained data rates of 300 Mbps for each radio. The WAP131 does not support clustering. Cisco's WAP150 is a value-priced dual-radio 802.11ac/n AP that includes a one Gbit Power over Ethernet (PoE) port and can handle 16 clients per radio with 867 Mbps performance for AC clients and 300 Mbps for 802.11n clients. Cisco's Small Business WAP150 allows four APs per cluster.
Cisco's Small Business WAP321 model is a wallmount selectable-band (either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) 802.11a/b/g/n device with support for 80 active wireless clients sharing an 8-AP cluster. The WAP321 has a 10/100/1000 Ethernet port and can deliver throughput of 300 Mbps for the selected radio. Cisco's Small Business WAP351 is a dual-radio 2.4/5 GHz 802.11n AP that includes a 5-port Gigabit Ethernet interface and can support 32 active clients per radio for a total of up to 64 active clients, and deliver a sustained data rate of 300 Mbps per radio. The WAP351 access point does not allow clustering. The Cisco WAP361 is a dual-band 802.11ac wireless access point that features a 5 x Gb Ethernet LAN switch, allows 32 active WLAN clients on each radio, and delivers 867 Mbps throughput for wireless AC devices and 300 Mbps performance for 802.11n devices. Cisco's WAP361 supports 8 access points per cluster. Cisco's wall-mountable WAP371 Wireless-AC/N is a dual-radio AP that works with 802.11a/b/g/n as well as the new 802.11ac wireless networking specification. The WAP371 includes a GE interface, can support as many as 32 wireless clients on each radio, and 8 APs per cluster.
Cisco's Small Business WAP561 Wireless-N Dual Radio wireless access point includes one Gigabit Ethernet port and two radios (2.4 and 5.0 GHz) that offer 450 Mbps performance for each radio, support 64 devices per radio, and allow up to 16 wireless access points for each cluster. Cisco's WAP551 is similar to Cisco's WAP 561 but features a single selectable band (2.4 or 5.0 GHz). The Cisco Small Business WAP571 and WAP571E (the weather-proof outdoor model) are dual-band Wireless-AC/N wireless access points incorporating 2 x GE interfaces with link aggregation (LAG), 3x3 MIMO, and as high as 1.9 Gbps performance with 1300 Mbps on 802.11ac and 600 Mbps over 11n. Both access points support 32 active WAN clients on each radio and 16 APs on each cluster.
The Cisco Small Business WAP581 Wireless-AC Wave 2 Wireless Access Point complies with the 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5 standard and features 4x4 and 3x3 MU-MIMO technology to deliver 2.8 Gbps throughput on the 5.0-Ghz radio and 0.6 Gbps at 2.4 GHz for a total max throughput of 2.4 Gbps. The WAP581 includes an integrated 2.5G Ethernet port and a 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN interface with 802.3at Power over Ethernet (PoE). Cisco's WAP581 Wave 2 Wi-Fi 5 access point can handle up to 200 connective users, up to 50 active users for each radio, 16 access points for each cluster, and 960 active client users for each cluster.
For details about Progent's consulting services for current and legacy Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 family of WiFi access points, see Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 wireless APs system design and troubleshooting.
Cisco's Aironet Family of Wireless Access Points
Cisco's Aironet family of indoor and outdoor wireless APs has for years been the top-selling AP product. Aironet access points run the gamut from value priced devices to enterprise-class APs. Cisco's Aironet line cover multiple generations of models supporting the evolving 802 specification. Cisco's latest line of Aironet wireless access points work with Cisco's Unified Wireless Network software and come with 802.11ac support, which delivers three times the throughput as well as greater distance and density in comparison to the prior generation of devices. Cisco's current dual-frequency Aironet access points can handle 802.11n at 2.4 GHz for client devices that lack 802.11ac capability.
The earliest Aironet APs are outdated units that have come to end-of-sale status and are no longer supported by Cisco. Progent still offers support for the complete Aironet family of wireless access points and can assist your company to manage and troubleshoot your current Aironet wireless environment or upgrade smoothly to the latest Aironet products. To find out more about Progent's consulting services for current and legacy Aironet access points, refer to Cisco Aironet APs planning and support.
Meraki Access Points
Cisco's portfolio of Meraki 2.4/5 GHz indoor wireless access points range from budget-friendly devices for small businesses to advanced units that offer as high as 5.9 Gigabit per second throughput. Every Meraki indoor AP offers high-end capabilities like self-configuring installation, in-depth protection, BYOD support, built-in analytics, automatic over-the-web updates, and consolidated cloud management for multiple sites. Every Cisco Meraki indoor access point also includes dual high-power radios with enhanced receive sensitivity as well as a dedicated radio that provides (WIDS/WIPS) security for RF analysis and deep packet inspection at line rate.
Meraki outdoor APs are IP67 certified, designed to withstand rugged outdoor conditions, and able to resist dust, vibration and humidity. Meraki outdoor access points include a 1 x Gbit Ethernet port and offer advanced capabilities that include cloud-based management with multi-site control, 802.1X integration, built-in antivirus scan, single-click secure guest access and isolation firewall, application-aware traffic shaping, plus self-configuring mesh with MIMO and beamforming. To find out more about Progent's support for Meraki APs and management, refer to Cisco's Meraki APs consulting services.
Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Family of Wi-Fi 6 and W-Fi 6E Access Points
Cisco's Catalyst 9100 line of Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax APs are intended for environments ranging from telecommuter homes to crowded convention centers. Cisco Catalyst 9100 access points are compliant with the 802.11ax standard, referred to as Wi-Fi 6, which in turn builds on the preceding 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard. Unlike 802.11ac, Wi-Fi 6 is able to use both the 2.4-Ghz and 5-GHz bands. Headline technologies supported by Cisco Catalyst 9100 Series access points include OFDMA scheduling for high density deployments, dual NAVs for better dependability, TWT for reduced power consumption in battery-dependent endpoints, adaptive power thresholds for better spectrum utilization, and dynamic fragmentation for reduced overhead. Catalyst 9100 Series wireless access points support Cisco's Embedded Wireless Controller, handle up to 400 client users per radio, and are powered by Cisco IOS XE Software.
Cisco's Catalyst 916x Series Wi-Fi 6E access points are the first Cisco access points to feature the flexibility to be managed either on-site via Cisco DNA Center platform or from the cloud by deploying Meraki Dashboard management utilities. This allows businesses to transition to cloud-centric or hybrid deployments on their own schedule. All Catalyst 916x access points comply with the a/b/g/n/ac/ax and 6E Wi-Fi specifications and support the new 6-GHz band. Each AP has 5 radios and allows a maximum of 400 clients on each radio. Every model also contains a dedicated radio for Cisco CleanAir Pro for mitigating interference, includes a USB 2.0 port, and supports Bluetooth Low Energy. The entry-level Catalyst 9162 Series AP is intended for small businesses, has three 2x2 radios, and provides 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet support. The Catalyst 9164 Series AP is designed for small and middle-size organizations, incorporates one 2x2 radio and two 4x4 radios, and features 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet support. The Catalyst 9166 Series Wi-Fi access point is designed for large and medium-sized enterprises, incorporates three 4x4 radios, and offers 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 consulting services for Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Family of Wi-Fi 6/6E APs, see Wi-Fi 6/6E 802.11ax APs solution planning, configuration, and management services.
Cisco 9800 Series 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wi-Fi 6-supported wireless controllers allow you to manage advanced wireless environments that support 802.11ax Wi-Fi access points. The 802.11ax standard, popularly known as Wi-Fi 6, builds on previous generation 802.11ac (referred to as Wi-Fi 5) appliances 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 versatility for handling new kinds of Internet-of-Things endpoints. Catalyst 9800 family Wi-Fi controllers include always-on availability with seamless software updates, hot fixes, and the ability to connect additional Wi-Fi access points with zero downtime. Advanced security technologies include Cisco Wireless Intrusion Prevention System (WIPS), image signing, and Software-Defined Access (SD-Access). Streaming telemetry permits you to monitor and analyze network and client health.
All controllers in the Catalyst 9800 family are powered by Cisco's IOS XE Software and operate with Cisco's DNA Center (DNAC) or Prime Infrastructure management platforms. Catalyst 9800 Series wireless network controllers can support Cisco Aironet Wi-Fi 5 Wave 1 and Wave 2 APs as well as Catalyst 9100 Series 802.11ax access points. For more information about Progent's support for Cisco 9800 line of 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers, refer to Catalyst 9800 Series Wi-Fi 6 wireless controller appliances solution design, deployment, and debugging services.
Cisco Wave 2 Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco Wave 2 Wi-Fi controllers enable fast communication, deployment, management, monitoring and troubleshooting for Cisco Wi-Fi appliances and services. Cisco has developed both physical and virtual Wi-Fi controllers for centralized administration of WiFi environments, but networks with a large number of Wi-Fi access points are better served by hardware-based wireless controllers. Current generation Wi-Fi controller appliances from Cisco offer significant benefits in comparison to Wave 1 and older products including higher performance, concurrent support for both 1G and 10G Ethernet, enhanced application visibility and control, and hardened, built-in security.
The Cisco 3504 Wireless Controller is a value-priced device with a desktop enclosure and intended for smaller businesses. You can use the 3504 in a centralized WLAN environment such as in lean branch and remote offices administered across the wide-area network via FlexConnect, or in bridge deployments where wiring is limited. The 3504 wireless controller can handle as many as 150 WiFi access points and 3,000 users, delivers 4 Gbps performance, and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. Cisco's 3504 controller features a multi-gigabit Ethernet port and four 1-Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. APs can be connected to the controller via two Power over Ethernet (PoE) ports. The 3504 wireless controller features subsecond failover for APs and users, which allows high availability for applications. Like other Wave 2 wireless controllers from Cisco, the 3504 device has the integrated ability to communicate with Cisco Prime Infrastructure, Cisco Mobility Services Engine, and Cisco 5520 and 8540 WiFi controllers.
The Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller, available in a 1 rack unit enclosure, is intended to support larger organizations and campus networks and can be used in centralized, distributed, and mesh architectures. The 5520 wireless controller supports as many as 1,500 Wi-Fi access points and 20,000 users, offers 20 Gbps performance, and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. The 5520 model controller includes two 10 GE ports and incorporates SSD storage, redundant fans, optional redundant power supplies, and subsecond failover for uninterrupted availability.
Cisco's 8540 Wireless Controller, offered in a 2RU package, is a top-of-the-line WiFi controller designed to support large enterprises, service providers, and large campus environments. The 8540 Wireless controller can be run in centralized, distributed, and mesh deployments and can handle as many as 6,000 APs and 64,000 client users. The 8540 Wireless controller offers data rates up to 40 Gbps and supports 4,096 VLANs. The 8340 comes with four 1-GB or 10GE interfaces and features solid-state storage, redundant power supplies, backup fans, and rapid failover.
Wave 1 Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco wireless controllers reduce the time and expense required to configure, monitor, and operate Wi-Fi networks by offering single-point control of critical tasks like setting up APs, applying consistent policies throughout wired/wireless LANs, supporting enterprise-wide QoS for IP voice and video, monitoring and optimizing network performance, implementing intrusion prevention tools to defend against cyber break-ins and Distributed Denial of Service attacks, and managing IPv6 and dual-stack clients. Cisco has developed wireless network controllers for organizations of any size and offers desktop or rackmount controllers, modular add-on controllers for Cisco routers and Catalyst switches, and switches with integrated wireless LAN controllers.
Cisco's Wave 1 WiFi controllers include Cisco CleanAir technology to minimize RF interference and create self-healing and self-optimizing wireless LANs for top 802.11n and 802.11ac throughput and protection. Built-in Apple Bonjour Gateways enable discovery, advertisement and policy across the enterprise for Apple applications. For fault tolerance, Cisco wireless controllers support AP and client stateful switchover by permitting a standby HA wireless controller to synch with a primary controller for AP license count, CAPWAP state and roaming keys, and access point CAPWAP state. In case the primary controller fails, thousands of APs and clients can switchover at subsecond speeds to the secondary controller.
Cisco's Wireless Module for ISR Routers with UCS-E provides basic 802.11n and 802.11ac capability for 2900 and 3900 routers deployed by small to medium-sized organizations and branches. This affordable and scalable module can handle up to 200 wireless access points and up to 6000 wireless clients. (To find out about Progent's remote and on-premises consulting services for Cisco routers, see Cisco router deployment and troubleshooting support.)
Catalyst 3650 Series are 1RU form-factor switches designed for SMBs and branches and have a built-in wireless network controller with the capability to support 40 Gb of wireless capacity per switch and up to 25 wireless access points and 1000 clients on each switch or stack. Catalyst 3850 Series are 1RU switches designed for midsize businesses and large enterprises and include an integrated wireless LAN controller with up to 40 Gb of wireless throughput per switch and support for 50 wireless access points and 2000 wireless clients. The WiSM2 is a plug-in blade for Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series switches that include a built-in wireless controller intended for mid-to-large size businesses and able to deliver 20 Gbps throughput and able to handle 1000 APs and 15,000 clients. (For information concerning Progent's online and onsite consulting support for Cisco switches, refer to Cisco switches deployment and management consulting.)
Cisco 2500 Wireless Controllers are value-priced desktop units that simplify the deployment and operation of Wi-Fi LANs for SMBs and branches. The 2500 Series wireless LAN controller supports 5 to 75 APs and up to 1000 clients and offers sustained performance of 1 Gbps.
Cisco's 5500 Series Wireless Controller is an expandable 1RU unit designed for mid-to-large sized enterprises and campuses and can support up to 500 access points and 7,000 clients while providing 8 Gbps throughput. The Cisco 5760 Wireless Controller is a 1RU device intended for mid-to-large campus environments with support for 1000 APs and 12,000 clients and offering performance of 60 Gbps to handle high wireless client densities and high amounts of media-rich applications.
Cisco's Flex 7500 Series Wireless Controller is intended to enable centralized management of thousands of wireless remote sites from a single location, eliminating the requirement for a wireless controller at each remote site. The 1RU rackmount Flex 7500 appliance lets you build a private cloud to configure, monitor, maintain, and repair as many as 6000 wireless access points and up to 64,000 wireless clients while handling 1 Gbps performance. Cisco's 8500 Series Wireless Controller is a 1RU rackmount device engineered to monitor and manage wireless networks for very large campuses or service providers and can scale to handle up to 6000 wireless points and 64,000 wireless clients while offering 10 Gbps performance.
To find out more about Cisco wireless controllers, go to Cisco wireless controllers consulting and integration.
Legacy Cisco Wireless Access Points, Bridges and Controllers Supported by Progent
The introduction of the 802.11ac standard for wireless connectivity virtually made obsolete the earlier releases of Wi-Fi products for many environments that have high numbers of wireless clients and high incidence of video-intensive applications. Even for businesses who do not require the bandwidth efficiency of 802.11ac Wi-Fi, a large number of Cisco wireless products have arrived at end-of-life status, which can present serious maintenance and regulatory compliance issues. Progent's Cisco-certified consulting experts offer remote and onsite support for a wide range of older-generation wireless products from Cisco. Progent can in addition assist organizations to assess the business case for updating legacy wireless technology and can help in planning and executing cost-effective, non-disruptive migrations. The following are a sample of Cisco legacy wireless devices that Progent's consultants still support.
Legacy Cisco Aironet Wireless Access Points
Cisco Aironet 1000/1130AG Series APs are ideal for conventional workplaces and other locations which have minimal environmental instability. These products include integrated antennas that provide predictable radio coverage patterns. The Cisco Aironet 1130G family wireless access point is offered for regulated locations that do not allow 802.11a operation.
Cisco Aironet 1230AG or 1240AG family wireless access points are intended for more challenging RF environments such as manufacturing plants or above suspended ceilings which often call for adjustable protruding antennas and ruggedized cases. The Cisco 1240G family product is designed for controlled domains that do not allow 802.11a transmission.
Aironet 1500 family lightweight outside mesh APs provide an affordable, expandable, protected outdoor Wi-Fi solution for campus areas and for public venues that require connectivity for portable phones or computers.
Legacy Cisco Wireless Bridges
Cisco Aironet wireless bridges offer a high-speed and multi-featured solution for integrating multiple LANs in a metropolitan situation or public access environment. Cisco Aironet wireless LAN bridges offer a flexible, easy-to-use solution that satisfies the protection demands of public networking professionals. They handle both PTP and PTMP implementations with excellent coverage and the ability to handle data throughput as high as 54 Mbps.
Cisco wireless bridges deliver throughput dramatically higher than E1/T1 lines for much lower cost, avoiding the need for expensive leased lines when connecting different buildings. Since wireless bridges have no recurring charges, savings on connection services rapidly cover the initial hardware investment. Private lines and in some cases leased lines utilizing metal or optical cable can require high initial expenses when they are impeded by barriers like freeways, train tracks, or lakes and rivers. Cisco Aironet wireless bridges can be deployed rapidly with a fast ROI.
Aironet 1300 family outdoor access points/bridges can be implemented as independent wireless access points, bridges, or wireless group bridges. These appliances have a ruggedized cover and offer fast, cost-effective wireless connectivity between numerous stationary or mobile networks and clients.
Aironet 1400 Series wireless bridges offer high-speed, reliable outside wireless bridging for line-of-sight applications. These devices are housed in a durable cover that can withstand severe outdoor conditions and operate within wide temperature ranges.
Legacy Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco WLAN Controllers centralize the management of WLANs by streamlining the handling of key technologies including integrated IPS, fast RF management, automatic configuration, and N+1 redundancy. Cisco Wireless controllers work with lightweight wireless access points to deliver enhanced throughput and advanced control functions.
WLAN Controllers (WLCs) provide the control, scalability, protection, and dependability that system managers require to build safe, large-scale wireless networks, from branch locations to small businesses to headquarter campuses. Cisco's first-generation WLCs can be clustered to provide accommodation for up to 2400 access points per roaming domain.
Cisco's WLCM or WLCM-E Wireless LAN Controller Module for Integrated Services (IS) Routers provides small-to medium businesses and large corporations a cost effective way to deploy and manage secure wireless LANs at branch locations. These wireless LAN controllers supervise as many as a dozen Aironet wireless access points and are supported on 2800/3800 Series IS Routers and Cisco 3700 Series Integrated Services Routers. (To learn concerning Progent's online and onsite consulting support for Cisco routers, see Cisco router configuration and management consulting.)
How Progent's Engineers Can Assist Your Company with Cisco Wireless Solutions
Progent can provide a Cisco-certified expert to assist your business to plan, install, manage and troubleshoot a converged wired/wireless ecosystem incorporating a wide array of wireless products that offer the identical security, extensibility, and ease of management you expect from your wired environment. Progent can assist you to manage legacy wireless solutions from Cisco or migrate efficiently to the latest 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 technology. Progent's CISA and ISSAP security consultants can advise you about how to design security into your wireless network and your business operations. Progent's disaster recovery consultants and business continuity planning consultants can assist you to deploy the HA features built into Cisco's wired/wireless products so your converged infrastructure delivers continuing business value.
Progent's Wi-Fi Site Survey assists you to design and implement a state-of-the-art wireless network customized for your environment, offering a wireless solution that delivers comprehensive coverage, high performance and density, Quality of Service to accommodate IP video, enterprise-class security and compliance, and streamlined management. Progent's Wireless Site Survey can be delivered remotely to cut time and costs, or on premises to deal with more challenging situations.
For a further look at Progent's wireless consulting capabilities, see Progent's Wireless LAN Help.
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