Cisco offers a comprehensive portfolio of wireless LAN products and technologies designed to provide continual connections to data and other resources and to promote collaboration among workers, partners, suppliers, and clients. Cisco's wireless product families include Cisco's Small Business, Aironet and Meraki lines of wireless access points, plus Cisco's Wireless Network Controller modules and appliances. Progent's Cisco-certified wireless consultants can enable organizations of all sizes to deploy Cisco wireless solutions to accommodate the new model of Bring-Your-Own-Device networks by converging their wired and wireless environments to achieve simplified configuration, consistent and fast throughput, centralized control, enterprise-wide policy, fault tolerance, and across-the-board protection.
The Cisco Unified Wireless solution can scale to up to 18,000 wireless access points with full Layer 3 mobility at local or remote locations like business campuses, university lecture halls, branches, and home offices. Cisco's Wi-Fi wireless access points and wireless controllers are components of Cisco's Unified Wireless Network and are engineered to deliver the same degree of security, throughput, and ease of management for wireless networks that businesses demand in their wired ecosystem. This architecture includes built-in mobile services such as IP voice, high-definition IP video, and safe guest access. Cisco's Unified Wireless architecture enables organizations to create Wi-Fi ecosystems that improve the way they do business and improve output through a mobile and connected employee base.
Progent's Cisco CCIE network consulting services offers online or onsite support to help you to plan, deploy, manage, upgrade, and troubleshoot converged wired/wireless networks of all sizes and for any venue. In addition, Progent offers value-priced remote and onsite Wi-Fi site surveys to assist your company to design and install a Wi-Fi LAN with custom-designed access point clustering optimized for your specific office layout, building characteristics, and application workloads.
Cisco Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst Access Points
Cisco's Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst families of wireless access points enable organizations to integrate wired and wireless infrastructure to provide the coverage, density, throughput, security and ease of management needed to support practically any environment. These APs range from entry-level, single-radio 802.11b/g/n units with throughput of 300 Mbps for very small companies or telecommuters to 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) wireless access points capable of handling hundreds of clients on each AP and delivering throughput in excess of 5 Gbps. Cisco's latest line of access points can be combined or clustered to provide the capacity to handle environments with high client density and with high usage rates of video-intense application software.
Cisco Small Business Series of Wireless Access Points
Cisco's Small Business Series of wireless access points are Linux-powered devices intended as entry-level Wi-Fi APs for light workloads. Most versions in the Cisco Small Business portfolio of wireless access points work with Cisco's Single Point Setup system, which allows you to set up, control and troubleshoot a cluster of wireless access points from a single AP via an intuitive browser-based tool. All models include Power over Ethernet and feature QoS, rogue access point detection, and bridging for connecting to a second network.
The Cisco Small Business WAP121 AP is a wall-mountable, single-band 2.4GHz device that can handle 16 active 802.11n clients, has a 10/100 Ethernet port, allows up to four AP devices and 40 active clients in a cluster, and can handle sustained data rates of up to 300 Mbps. The Cisco WAP131 is a desktop dual-band 2.4/5 GHz 802.11n wireless access point able to support 16 active clients on each radio for a total of up to 32 wireless clients, includes a GE port, and can support sustained data rates of up to 300 Mbps for each radio. The WAP131 does not support AP clustering. The Cisco Small Business WAP150 is a value-priced Wave 1 dual-radio AC/n AP that features a one Gbit Poe port and can handle up to 16 clients per radio with 867 Mbps throughput for 802.11ac devices and 300 Mbps for 802.11n devices. The Cisco Small Business WAP150 allows 4 access points for each cluster.
Cisco's Small Business WAP321 model is a wallmount single-band (2.4 or 5 GHz) 802.11n unit with support for 80 active wireless clients in an 8-AP cluster. The Cisco WAP321 includes a Gigabit Ethernet interface and can deliver throughput of 300 Mbps for the activated radio. Cisco's Small Business WAP351 is a dual-band 2.4/5 GHz 802.11n AP that includes a 5-port Gigabit Ethernet switch and can handle 32 active clients on each radio for up to 64 active clients, and deliver a sustained data rate of 300 Mbps per radio. The WAP351 access point does not support clustering. The Cisco WAP361 is a dual-radio 802.11ac Wave 1 wireless access point that features a 5 x Gb Ethernet LAN switch, can support 32 clients per radio, and delivers 867 Mbps throughput for 802.11ac devices and 300 Mbps for 802.11n devices. Cisco's Small Business WAP361 supports eight WAP361 access points per cluster. Cisco's wallmount WAP371 Wireless-AC/N is a dual-band device that supports 802.11n and the latest 802.11ac Wi-Fi specification. The WAP371 Wireless-AC/N has a Gigabit Ethernet port, can handle 32 active wireless clients per radio, and 8 access points per cluster.
Cisco's WAP561 Wireless-N Selectable Band access point includes one 10/100/1000 Ethernet interface and dual concurrent radios that deliver 450 Mbps throughput for each radio, support 64 clients for each radio, and allow up to 16 wireless access points per cluster. Cisco's WAP551 is like Cisco's WAP 561 but features a single selectable band (2.4 or 5.0 GHz). Cisco's WAP571 and WAP571E (the weather-proof outdoor model) are dual-radio 802.11ac Wave 1 APs incorporating 2 x GE interfaces with link aggregation, and as high as 1.9 Gbps performance with 1300 Mbps on 11ac and 600 Mbps over 802.11n. Both wireless access points support 32 clients on each radio and 16 access points on each cluster.
Cisco's Small Business WAP581 Wireless-AC Wave 2 Access Point supports the Wi-Fi 5 standard and offers 4x4 and 3x3 MU-MIMO technology to provide 2.8 Gbps throughput on the 5.0-Ghz radio and 600 Mbps at 2.4 GHz for an aggregate maximum throughput of 2.4 Gbps. The Small Business WAP581 includes an integrated 2.5G Ethernet port and a 10/100/1000 Ethernet port with 802.3at Power over Ethernet (PoE). The WAP581 Wave 2 Wi-Fi 5 AP can handle as many as 200 connective users, a maximum of 50 active client users for each radio, 16 APs for each cluster, and 960 active client users for each cluster.
For details about Progent's consulting services for both current and legacy Cisco Small Business family of wireless access points, see Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 WiFi access points consulting services.
Cisco's Aironet Line of Access Points
Cisco's Aironet family of indoor and outdoor wireless APs has for years been the leading access point product. Aironet wireless access points run the gamut from value priced devices to enterprise-class APs. The Aironet line span several generations of models supporting the continually improving 802 specification. Cisco's latest line of Aironet APs support Cisco's Unified Wireless Network architecture and incorporate 802.11ac technology, which delivers three times the performance as well as greater range and density in comparison to the prior generation of devices. Cisco's current multi-band Aironet APs continue to handle 802.11n at 2.4 GHz for clients that do not have 802.11ac radios.
The oldest Aironet APs are now legacy units that have come to end-of-sale status and are not supported by Cisco. Progent continues to provide technical support for the entire Aironet line of access points and can help you to maintain your current Aironet wireless environment or upgrade efficiently to current Aironet technology. To find out more about Progent's support for both current and legacy Aironet access points, see Cisco Aironet access points consulting.
Cisco's Meraki Wireless Access Points
Cisco's portfolio of Meraki dual-band 2.4/5 GHz indoor access points range from budget-friendly devices for small businesses to advanced units that offer up to 5.9 Gbit/sec throughput. Each Meraki indoor access point offers high-end capabilities like self-configuring deployment, in-depth security, BYOD support, built-in analytics, automatic over-the-web updates, and centralized cloud-based management for multiple sites. Each Cisco Meraki indoor AP also includes two high-power client-serving radios with boosted reception plus a dedicated radio that offers intrusion detection and prevention system (WIDS/WIPS) security for RF analysis and deep packet inspection at line rate.
Meraki outdoor wireless access points are IP67 rated, designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions, and able to withstand dust particles, shock and humidity. Cisco's Meraki outdoor wireless access points include a 1 x Gbit Ethernet port and offer advanced capabilities that include cloud-based management with multi-site visibility, native Active Directory integration, built-in antivirus scan (NAC), single-click guest access and isolation firewall, Layer 7 traffic shaping, plus auto-configuring mesh with beamforming. For details about Progent's consulting services for Cisco's Meraki wireless access points and management tools, see Cisco's Meraki access points consulting.
Catalyst 9100 Family of Wi-Fi 6 and W-Fi 6E APs
Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Series Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax APs are designed for environments ranging from telecommuter homes to high-density convention centers. Catalyst 9100 APs are based on the 802.11ax standard, known as Wi-Fi 6, which in turn builds on the previous 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. Important enhancements incorporated in Cisco Catalyst 9100 Series APs include MU-MIMO support for uplink traffic, dual NAVs for improved reliability, Target Wake Time for reduced power consumption in battery-dependent endpoints, adaptive sensitivity thresholds for more efficient spectrum utilization, and extended guard intervals for improved outdoor performance. Catalyst 9100 Series Wi-Fi 6 access points support Cisco's EWC, accommodate as many as 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 APs with the capability to be managed either on-prem via Cisco DNA Center or through the cloud using Meraki Dashboard management tools. This permits organizations to move to cloud-centric or hybrid management environments on their own timetable. All Catalyst 916x access points comply with the a/b/g/n/ac/ax and 6E Wi-Fi standards and support the 6-GHz band. Each device includes 5 radios and supports up to 400 clients per radio. Every model also features a dedicated radio for Cisco CleanAir Pro for reducing interference, includes a USB 2.0 port, and supports Bluetooth BLE. Cisco's entry-level Catalyst 9162 Series AP is meant for small businesses, incorporates three 2x2 radios, and includes 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet connectivity. The Catalyst 9164 Series access point is designed for small and middle-size enterprises, has one 2x2 radio and two 4x4 radios, and offers 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet. The Catalyst 9166 Series access point is suited for large and mid-sized organizations, incorporates three 4x4 radios, and provides 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G/5G mGig Ethernet support. The 9166 also includes environmental sensors that track air quality, temperature, and moisture. For more information about Progent's consulting services for Catalyst 9100 Line of 802.11ax APs, refer to Wireless access points system planning, deployment, and management services.
Cisco 9800 Series Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers
Cisco Catalyst 9800 line of Wi-Fi 6-compatible wireless controllers help you manage modern Wi-Fi environments that incorporate 802.11ax Wi-Fi access points. 802.11ax, referred to as Wi-Fi 6, builds on prior generation 802.11ac (called Wi-Fi 5) devices by providing lower latency and more reliable performance, supporting higher client density, offering greater security, conserving energy for battery-powered mobile devices, and offering more flexibility for handling new kinds of Internet-of-Things (IoT) endpoints. Cisco's Catalyst 9800 Series Wi-Fi controllers include high availability with transparent software upgrades, hot patching, and the ability to add APs with zero disruption of service. Advanced security technologies include Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA), image signing, and Cisco Software-Defined Access. Streaming telemetry permits you to track and analyze infrastructure and endpoint health.
All controllers in the Catalyst 9800 family are powered by Cisco's IOS XE Software and work with Cisco's DNA Center or Prime Infrastructure management platforms. Catalyst 9800 Series wireless network controllers can support Cisco Aironet 802.11ac Wave 1 and Wave 2 wireless APs as well as Cisco Catalyst 9100 Series Wi-Fi 6 wireless APs. For details about Progent's support for Cisco 9800 line of Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers, refer to Catalyst 9800 line of Wi-Fi 6 wireless LAN controller appliances system planning, configuration, and management services.
Cisco Wi-Fi 5 802.11ac Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco Wave 2 Wi-Fi controllers allow fast data exchange, configuration, management, analysis and troubleshooting for Cisco wireless devices and services. Cisco has developed both physical and virtual wireless controllers for unified administration of wireless networks, but WLANs with a large number of Wi-Fi access points typically require hardware-based wireless controllers. New wireless controller devices from Cisco offer major advantages over Wave 1 and earlier models including greater throughput, concurrent support for both 1G and 10G Ethernet, improved application visibility and control (AVC), and advanced, built-in security.
Cisco's 3504 Wireless Controller is an entry-level appliance with a desktop body and intended for small and medium-sized businesses. You can use the 3504 in a centralized WLAN architecture such as in lean branch and home-based offices administered over the WAN with FlexConnect, or in bridge installations where Ethernet cabling is limited. The 3504 wireless controller can handle as many as 150 WiFi access points and 3,000 users, offers 4 Gbps performance, and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. The 3504 controller includes a multi-gigabit Ethernet interface (up to 5 Gigabit Ethernet) and four 1-GB Ethernet interfaces. APs can be attached directly to the controller via two Power over Ethernet ports. The 3504 wireless controller offers subsecond failover for access points and users, which allows uninterrupted availability for apps. Like other Wave 2 wireless controllers available from Cisco, the 3504 device has the integrated capability to work with Cisco Prime Infrastructure, Cisco Mobility Services Engine, and Cisco 5520 and 8540 WiFi controllers.
The Cisco 5520 WiFi Controller, available in a 1RU form factor, is designed to support larger enterprises and campus environments and can be used in centralized, distributed, and mesh deployments. The 5520 Wi-Fi controller can handle up to 1,500 APs and 20,000 client users, delivers 20 Gbps performance, and supports 4,096 VLANs. The 5520 wireless controller includes two 10 GE ports and incorporates solid-state storage, redundant fans, optional dual power supplies, and rapid failover for uninterrupted availability.
The Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller, offered in a 2 rack unit enclosure, is a top-of-the-line WiFi controller designed to support enterprises, service providers, and large campuses. The 8540 WiFi controller can be run in centralized, distributed, and mesh architectures and supports as many as 6,000 Wi-Fi access points and 64,000 clients. The 8540 WiFi controller can deliver 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, backup power supplies, backup fans, and subsecond failover.
Wave 1 Cisco Wireless Network Controllers
Cisco wireless controllers cut the time and expense required to configure, manage, and operate wireless networks by centralizing control of tasks such as provisioning wireless access points, applying single-point policies throughout converged networks, supporting enterprise-wide Quality of Service (QoS) for voice and HD video, tracking and optimizing system performance, activating security tools to defend against cyber break-ins and DDoS threats, and managing IPv6 and dual-stack clients. Cisco has designed wireless LAN controllers for organizations of any size and can provide desktop or rackmount controllers, modular plug-in wireless controllers for Cisco ISR routers and switches, and switches with built-in wireless LAN controllers.
Cisco's Wave 1 WiFi controllers include Cisco CleanAir technology to minimize RF interference and create self-optimizing wireless LANs for maximum 802.11n and 802.11ac performance and protection. Integrated Apple Bonjour Gateways allow discovery and policy throughout the enterprise for Apple-based applications. For high availability, Cisco wireless controllers support AP and client stateful switchover by enabling a standby HA wireless controller to synchronize with a main controller for AP license count, CAPWAP state and roaming keys, and AP CAPWAP state. If the primary controller stops working, thousands of access points and wireless clients can failover immediately to the backup controller.
Cisco's Wireless Module for ISR Routers with UCS-E provides entry-level 802.11n and 802.11ac support for Cisco 2900 and 3900 Series routers used by smaller businesses and satellite offices. This value-priced and scalable module can handle from five to 200 wireless access points and up to 6000 wireless clients. (To learn concerning Progent's remote and on-premises consulting and troubleshooting support for Cisco routers, refer to Cisco router configuration and troubleshooting services.)
Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series are 1RU switches designed for SMBs and branches and come with a built-in wireless network controller with the capability to handle 40 Gb of wireless capacity per switch and 25 access points and 1000 clients on each switch. Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series are 1RU switches designed for mid-size businesses and large enterprises and feature an integrated wireless LAN controller with 40 Gb of wireless throughput per switch and support for 50 access points and 2000 clients. The Wireless Services Module2 (WiSM2) is an add-in blade for Catalyst 6500 Series switches with an integrated wireless network controller intended for mid-to-large size businesses and able to deliver 20 Gbps performance and able to handle 1000 APs and up to 15,000 clients. (For information about Progent's consulting services for Cisco Catalyst switches, refer to Catalyst switches deployment and management services.)
Cisco 2500 Wireless Controllers are value-priced desktop appliances that simplify the deployment and management of Wi-Fi networks for small to medium-sized enterprises and satellite offices. The 2500 Series wireless controller can manage 5 to 75 APs and 1000 clients and can deliver throughput of up to 1 Gbps.
The Cisco 5500 Wireless Controller is an expandable 1RU unit designed for medium-sized to large enterprises and campus environments and can support up to 500 wireless access points and 7,000 wireless clients while delivering 8 Gbps performance. Cisco's 5760 Wireless Controller is a 1RU device intended for mid-to-large campus environments with the ability to manage 1000 wireless access points and 12,000 wireless clients and delivering performance of 60 Gbps to handle high client densities and high amounts of media-rich mobile applications.
The Cisco Flex 7500 Series Wireless Controller is intended to manage massive collections of wireless remote sites from a single datacenter, eliminating the requirement for a Wi-Fi controller at every remote site. The 1RU Flex 7500 allows you to build a private cloud to deploy, monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot as many as 6000 access points and up to 64,000 wireless clients while handling 1 Gbps performance. The Cisco 8500 Wireless Controller is a 1RU rackmount device designed to manage wireless environments for very large campuses or service providers and can scale to handle 6000 wireless points and 64,000 wireless clients while offering 10 Gbps throughput.
To find out more about Cisco wireless controllers, see Cisco Wi-Fi controllers consulting and integration.
Legacy Cisco Access Points, Bridges and Wi-Fi Controllers Supported by Progent
The IEEE 802.11ac standard for Wi-Fi largely rendered obsolete all earlier releases of Wi-Fi devices for many environments that support high numbers of wireless clients and high incidence of HD video applications. Even for organizations who do not need the bandwidth efficiency of 802.11ac, many of Cisco wireless devices have reached end-of-sale or end-of-support status, which can present significant service and compliance problems. Progent's Cisco-certified consultants provide online and on-premises support services for a broad array of earlier-generation Cisco wireless products. Progent can also help organizations to evaluate the financial justification for updating legacy wireless infrastructure and can assist in planning and carrying out affordable, seamless upgrades. The following are a few of Cisco legacy Wi-Fi products that Progent's consulting experts still support.
Legacy Cisco Aironet Wireless Access Points
Cisco Aironet 1000/1130AG family wireless access points are intended for conventional workplaces and other locations which have minimal environmental instability. These devices include built-in antennas that provide predictable radio coverage patterns. The Cisco 1130G Series device is offered for controlled domains that do not permit 802.11a transmission.
Aironet 1230AG/1240AG family wireless access points are intended for more challenging radio frequency situations such as manufacturing plants and warehouses or above ceiling structures which typically require adjustable protruding antennas and durable enclosures. The Aironet 1240G family wireless access point is available for regulatory locations that do not permit 802.11a operation.
Cisco Aironet 1500 Series lightweight outdoor wireless mesh APs provide a cost-effective, expandable, secure outdoor wireless technology for enterprise campuses and for public venues that need access for mobile phones or computers.
Legacy Cisco Aironet Wireless Bridges
Cisco Aironet wireless LAN bridges offer a high-speed and feature-rich technology for integrating numerous LANs in a metro area or public access network. Cisco bridges provide a flexible, manageable technology that satisfies the security demands of public networking professionals. These bridges support both P2P and PTMP implementations with good coverage and the ability to handle traffic rates up to 54 Mbps.
Cisco Aironet wireless LAN bridges offer throughput substantially higher than E1/T1 links for far less expense, erasing the requirement for expensive leased lines when linking separate offices. Since wireless bridges carry no recurring charges, savings on connection bills quickly pay for the startup equipment investment. Private lines and even leased lines made of metal or fiber-optic cable often require considerable initial costs in cases where they are separated by barriers such as highways, railroads, or lakes and rivers. Cisco Aironet wireless bridges can be deployed quickly an offer a fast ROI.
Cisco 1300 Series outside wireless access points/bridges can be implemented as independent access points, bridges, or workgroup bridges. These appliances have a durable cover and offer high-speed, cost-effective wireless connectivity between numerous stationary or mobile networks and users.
Cisco 1400 bridges offer high-performance, reliable outdoor wireless bridging for line-of-sight (LOS) applications. They are housed in a durable cover that can withstand harsh outdoor environments and can function within wide temperature ranges.
Legacy Cisco WLAN Controllers
Cisco Wireless Controllers centralize the management of wireless networks by streamlining the handling of common functions such as integrated intrusion prevention system (IPS), real-time RF management, zero touch configuration, and N+1 redundancy. Wireless Network controllers operate with lightweight APs to deliver superior performance and high-end control functions.
Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) provide the control, expandability, protection, and resilience that IT managers require to create secure, large-scale wireless solutions, from satellite offices to small companies to headquarter campuses. Cisco's legacy Wireless Controllers can be configured together to offer accommodation for as many as 2400 WAPs per roaming domain.
The Cisco WLCM or WLCM-E Wireless LAN Controller Module for Integrated Services Routers offers small-to medium businesses (SMBs) and enterprises an economical solution to implement and manage protected WLANs at satellite offices. These devices supervise as many as 12 Cisco APs and are supported on 2800/3800 Integrated Services Routers and Cisco 3700 Series Integrated Services Routers. (For information about Progent's online and on-premises support for Cisco routers, refer to Cisco router configuration and troubleshooting support.)
How Progent's Consultants Can Assist Your Company with Cisco Wireless Solutions
Progent can provide access to a Cisco-certified consultant to assist your business to design, install, maintain and troubleshoot a converged wired/wireless infrastructure incorporating a broad range of wireless technologies that provide the identical security, scalability, and manageability you demand from your wired network. Progent can assist you to manage legacy Wi-Fi solutions from Cisco or upgrade efficiently to current 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 technology. Progent's CISM, CISSP, and ISSAP security consultants can advise you about how to build security into your WLAN and your company's processes. Progent's disaster recovery planning consultants and business continuity planning consultants can assist you to configure the HA technology built into Cisco's wired/wireless products so your converged infrastructure delivers significant business value.
Progent's Wi-Fi Site Survey assists you to design and implement a state-of-the-art WLAN optimized for your facilities, providing a wireless ecosystem that delivers comprehensive coverage, high performance and density, Quality of Service features 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 to deal with more complex situations.
For a more in-depth discussion of Progent's wireless consulting services, visit Progent's Wireless Help.
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