Cisco offers an extensive line of wireless LAN devices and software tools that provide anywhere, anytime access to data and other resources and to facilitate teamwork among employees, partners, suppliers, and clients. Cisco's wireless products include Cisco's Small Business, Aironet and Meraki series of wireless access points, as well as Cisco's Wireless Network Controller plug-ins and standalone devices. Progent's certified wireless experts can help organizations of all sizes to utilize Cisco wireless technology to accommodate the new model of Bring-Your-Own-Device networks by integrating their wired/wireless ecosystems to achieve simplified configuration, consistent and fast throughput, single-point control, uniform policy enforcement, high availability (HA), and across-the-board protection.

The Cisco Unified Wireless Network architecture can scale to as many as 18,000 wireless access points with Layer 3 connectivity at central or remote locations such as enterprise headquarters, university lecture halls, branch offices, and telecommuter homes. Cisco's Wi-Fi wireless access points and controllers are part of Cisco's Unified Wireless Network and are engineered to deliver the same degree of protection, throughput, and manageability for wireless LANs that companies demand in their wired infrastructure. Cisco's technology incorporates built-in mobility services such as VoIP, HD video, and secure guest connectivity. Cisco's Unified Wireless technology enables organizations to create wireless environments that improve the way they work and enhance productivity via a mobile and collaborative workforce.
Progent's Cisco CCIE network consulting services offers online or onsite support to assist you to plan, configure, maintain, expand, and repair converged wired/wireless networks of all sizes and for any environment. In addition, Progent can provide economical online and onsite wireless site surveys to help your company to plan and deploy a Wi-Fi LAN with custom-designed AP clusters optimized for your specific office layout, building structure, and intended application.
Cisco Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst Access Points (APs)
Cisco's Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst families of wireless access points enable organizations to converge wired and wireless infrastructure to deliver the accessibility, density, throughput, protection and ease of management needed to support virtually any environment. These APs start at entry-level, single-radio 802.11b/g/n units with data rates of 300 Mbps designed for very small businesses or home offices to 802.11ax access points capable of handling hundreds of clients per access point and offering data rates in excess of 5 Gbps. Cisco's latest line of access points can be combined or clustered to deliver the capacity to handle sites with high client density and with high usage rates of HD video application software.
Cisco Small Business Family of APs
Cisco's Small Business Series of APs are Linux-based units engineered as entry-level Wi-Fi solutions for light workloads. Most models in the Cisco Small Business portfolio of APs support Cisco's Single Point Setup system, which makes it possible to configure, manage and repair a cluster of access points from one AP via an intuitive web browser tool. All versions support Power over Ethernet (POE) and provide QoS, rogue access point awareness, and bridging for connecting to a second network.
Cisco's Small Business WAP121 Wireless-N AP is a wall-mountable, single-band 2.4GHz unit able to support 16 802.11b/g/n clients, includes a Fast Ethernet port, permits up to four access pointss and 40 active clients per cluster, and supports data rates of 300 Mbps. The Cisco 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 Gigabit Ethernet port, and can support throughput of up to 300 Mbps per radio. The WAP131 Wireless-N does not support AP clustering. Cisco's Small Business WAP150 is a value-priced dual-radio AC/n wireless access point that includes a 1xGE Power over Ethernet port and can support up to 16 clients from each radio with 867 Mbps throughput for 802.11ac devices and 300 Mbps for 802.11n devices. The Cisco WAP1501 supports 4 APs per cluster.
The Cisco Small Business WAP321 Wireless-N Access Point is a wall-mountable selectable-band (2.4 or 5 GHz) 802.11a/b/g/n unit with support for 80 active clients in an 8-device cluster. The Cisco WAP321 has a 10/100/1000 Ethernet interface and can deliver sustained throughput of 300 Mbps for the activated radio. Cisco's WAP351 is a dual-radio 802.11n AP with a 5-port Gigabit Ethernet interface and can support 32 active wireless clients per radio for a total of up to 64 clients, and support a data rate of 300 Mbps per radio. The WAP351 access point does not support clustering. Cisco's WAP361 is a dual-radio 802.11ac wireless access point that includes a 5 x Gb Ethernet switch, allows 32 active WLAN clients on each radio, and delivers 867 Mbps throughput for wireless AC devices and 300 Mbps for 802.11n clients. The Cisco Small Business WAP361 allows eight WAP361 access points for each cluster. Cisco's wall-mountable WAP371 Wireless-AC/N is a dual-band AP that supports 802.11a/b/g/n as well as the new 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard. The WAP371 Wireless-AC/N has a 10/100/1000 Ethernet port, can support 32 wireless clients per radio, and 8 APs for each cluster.
Cisco's Small Business WAP561 802.11n Dual Radio Selectable Band AP features one GE interface and two concurrent radios that offer 450 Mbps throughput for each radio, support 64 devices per radio, and allow 16 APs per cluster. Cisco's WAP551 is like Cisco's WAP 561 but features a single radio selectable band (2.4 or 5.0 GHz). The Cisco Small Business WAP571 and WAP571E (a ruggedized outdoor version) are dual-band 802.11ac Wave 1 APs incorporating 2 x GE interfaces with link aggregation (LAG), and up to 1.9 Gigabit/sec performance with 1300 Mbps over 11ac and 600 Mbps over 802.11n. Both wireless access points support 32 clients per radio and 16 access points on each cluster.

The Cisco WAP581 Wireless-AC Dual Radio Wave 2 Access Point supports the Wi-Fi 5 specification and offers 4x4 and 3x3 MU-MIMO to deliver 2.8 Gbps data rates on the 5.0-Ghz radio and 600 Mbps at 2.4 GHz for a total maximum data rate of 2.4 Gbps. The WAP581 includes a fixed 2.5G Ethernet LAN interface and a 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN interface with 802.3at PoE. The WAP581 Wave 2 Wi-Fi 5 AP can handle up to 200 connective users, a maximum of 50 active users for each radio, 16 APs per cluster, and 960 active users per cluster.
To find out more about Progent's support for both current and legacy Cisco Small Business family of wireless access points, refer to Cisco Small Business WiFi access points consulting.
Cisco's Aironet Family of Wireless Access Points

The Aironet portfolio of wireless access points has for years been the market leading AP product. Aironet wireless access points run the gamut from value priced models to enterprise-class units. Cisco's Aironet series cover multiple generations of models supporting the continually improving 802 standard. Cisco's latest line of Aironet access points work with Cisco's Unified Wireless Network software and incorporate 802.11ac support, which offers triple the speed as well as superior coverage and density compared to the previous generation of devices. Cisco's current multi-frequency Aironet APs continue to handle 802.11n at 2.4 GHz for clients that lack 802.11ac capability.
The earliest Aironet APs are outdated units that have come to end-of-life status and are not fully supported by Cisco. Progent continues to support the complete Aironet line of APs and can assist you to manage and troubleshoot your current Aironet Wi-Fi environment or upgrade smoothly to current Aironet products. For details about Progent's support for current and legacy Aironet wireless access points, refer to Cisco Aironet APs consulting.
Cisco's Meraki Access Points
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Cisco's family of Meraki 2.4/5 GHz indoor wireless access points range from budget-friendly devices for general use to enterprise-class units supporting as high as 5.9 Gigabit per second performance. Every Meraki indoor access point offers next-generation features such as plug-and-play installation, in-depth security, BYOD support, extensive analytics, automatic web-based firmware updates, and centralized cloud management via an intuitive dashboard. Each Meraki indoor AP also includes dual powerful radios with enhanced reception as well as a dedicated radio that offers intrusion detection and prevention system (WIDS/WIPS) security for RF analysis and deep packet inspection.
Meraki outdoor APs are IP67 certified, built to operate in harsh outdoor conditions, and able to withstand dust particles, vibration and moisture. Cisco's Meraki outdoor access points include a Gigabit Ethernet port and deliver advanced features that include cloud-based management with network-wide control, native Active Directory integration, built-in antivirus scan, 1-click guest access and isolation firewall, Layer 7 traffic shaping, plus auto-configuring mesh with MIMO. For details about Progent's support for Cisco's Meraki wireless access points and management, see Cisco's Meraki APs consulting.
Catalyst 9100 Family of Wi-Fi 6 and W-Fi 6E Access Points

Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Series Wi-Fi 6 and 6E 802.11ax APs are designed for deployments ranging from telecommuter homes to high-density arenas. Cisco Catalyst 9100 access points are compliant with the 802.11ax specification, referred to as Wi-Fi 6, which is an evolution of the previous 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) specification. As an improvement to 802.11ac, Wi-Fi 6 is able to utilize both the 2.4-Ghz and 5-GHz radio bands. Headline technologies incorporated in Catalyst 9100 Series access points include MU-MIMO support for uplink traffic, dual NAVs for better reliability, Target Wake Time for reduced power consumption in battery-dependent endpoints, adaptive power and sensitivity thresholds for more efficient spectrum use, and extended guard intervals for improved outdoor performance. Cisco Catalyst 9100 Series 802.11ax APs can run Cisco's Embedded Wireless Controller, accommodate as many as 400 clients per Wi-Fi radio, and run on Cisco IOS XE Software.
Cisco's Catalyst 9160 Series Wi-Fi 6E APs are the first Cisco APs to offer the versatility to be monitored and managed on-premises via Cisco DNA Center or from the cloud using Meraki management utilities. This allows organizations to transition to cloud-centric or hybrid management environments on their own schedule. All Catalyst 916x access points meet the a/b/g/n/ac/ax and 6E wireless standards and fully support the new 6-GHz band. Each AP includes 5 radios and supports a maximum of 400 clients per radio. Each AP model also contains a dedicated radio for Cisco CleanAir Pro for reducing interference, comes with a USB 2.0 port, and supports Bluetooth BLE. The value-priced Catalyst 9162 Series access point is designed for small organizations, has three 2x2 radios, and includes 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet support.
Cisco's Catalyst 9163E Wi-Fi 6E AP is built for tough outdoor deployments such as campus environments or stadiums. The 9163E includes three client serving 2x2 radios, an IoT radio, and a tri-band scanning radio. Interfaces include 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet, a management console port (RJ-45), 4x N-Type Wi-Fi antenna connectors, and a GPS/GNSS antenna connector. The 9163E works with Omnidirectional Dipole Self-Identifying Antennas. The Catalyst 9164 Series AP is designed for small and mid-size enterprises, includes one 2x2 radio and two 4x4 radios, and offers 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet. The Catalyst 9166 Series access point is intended for large and mid-sized organizations, has three 4x4 radios, and offers 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G/5G mGig Ethernet connectivity. The 9166 also includes environmental sensors to measure air quality, temperature, and moisture. For details about Progent's consulting services for Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Series Wi-Fi 6/6E APs, see 802.11ax access points system planning, deployment, and management services.
Cisco 9800 Series Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wi-Fi 6-compatible wireless LAN controllers allow you to manage advanced wireless networks that incorporate 802.11ax APs. 802.11ax, aka Wi-Fi 6, improves on previous generation 802.11ac (referred to as Wi-Fi 5) appliances by providing less latency and more predictable performance, allowing higher client density, providing greater protection, saving energy for battery-powered mobile devices, and offering more versatility for handling new kinds of Internet-of-Things endpoints. Catalyst 9800 Series Wi-Fi controllers feature always-on availability with transparent software updates, live fixes, and the ability to connect additional wireless APs with zero service interruption. Enhanced cybersecurity features include Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA), image signing, and Software-Defined Access. Streaming telemetry allows you to monitor and understand network and client 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 management tools. Catalyst 9800 wireless LAN controllers can support Cisco Aironet 802.11ac Wave 1 and Wave 2 wireless APs as well as Catalyst 9100 802.11ax Wi-Fi access points. To find out more about Progent's support for Cisco 9800 Series 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers, refer to Cisco Catalyst 9800 family of Wi-Fi 6 wireless controllers system planning, deployment, and debugging consulting.
Cisco Wi-Fi 5 802.11ac Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco Wave 2 wireless controllers allow fast data exchange, configuration, management, monitoring and troubleshooting for Cisco wireless appliances and software services. Cisco offers both physical and virtual Wi-Fi controllers for unified management of wireless networks, but networks with a large number of Wi-Fi APs are better served by physical Wi-Fi controllers. Current generation wireless controller devices from Cisco offer significant advantages over Wave 1 and older models including greater performance, simultaneous support for 1G and 10G Ethernet, enhanced application visibility and control (AVC), and hardened, built-in security.
The Cisco 3504 Wireless Controller is an entry-level appliance with a desktop enclosure and intended for small and medium-sized organizations. You can use the 3504 model in a centralized network environment such as in lean branch and home-based offices managed over the wide-area network with FlexConnect, or in mesh deployments where wiring is sparse. The 3504 Wi-Fi controller supports up to 150 wireless APs and 3,000 clients, offers 4 Gbps performance, and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. Cisco's 3504 wireless controller includes a multi-gigabit Ethernet port and four 1-GB Ethernet ports. Access points can be attached to the WiFi controller through two PoE ports. The 3504 Wi-Fi controller features subsecond failover for APs and clients, which provides uninterrupted availability for apps. As with other Wave 2 Wi-Fi controllers available from Cisco, the 3504 model has the built-in capability to work with Cisco Prime Infrastructure, Cisco Mobility Services, and Cisco 5520 and 8540 WiFi controllers.
Cisco's 5520 WiFi Controller, offered in a 1 rack unit package, is intended for midsize to large organizations and campus environments and can be run in centralized, distributed, and mesh deployments. The 5520 wireless controller can handle up to 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 features two 10 GE ports and features SSD storage, redundant fans, optional redundant power supplies, and rapid failover for nonstop availability.
Cisco's 8540 Wireless Controller, available in a 2 rack unit (RU) form factor, is a high-end wireless controller designed to support large enterprises, service providers, and large campus environments. The 8540 WiFi controller can be run in centralized, distributed, and mesh architectures and can handle as many as 6,000 access points and 64,000 users. The 8540 Wireless controller offers data rates up to 40 Gbps and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. The 8540 controller includes four 1-GB or 10GE ports and features solid-state storage, backup power supplies, redundant fans, and rapid failover.
Wave 1 Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco wireless network controllers reduce the time and expense needed to configure, manage, and operate wireless networks by offering single-point control of critical functions like provisioning APs, applying single-point policies across converged LANs, supporting enterprise-wide QoS for voice and video, monitoring and troubleshooting network health, implementing intrusion prevention tools to defend against unauthorized access and Distributed Denial of Service attacks, and managing IPv6 and dual-stack clients. Cisco has developed wireless network controllers for businesses of all sizes and can provide standalone desktop appliances, modular add-on wireless controllers for Cisco ISR routers and Catalyst switches, and switches with built-in wireless network controllers.
Cisco's Wave 1 WiFi LAN controllers include Cisco CleanAir tools to avoid 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 allow discovery and policy across the enterprise for Apple-based applications. For fault tolerance, Cisco wireless LAN controllers support access point and client stateful failover by permitting a backup high-availability controller to synch with a main controller for AP license count, CAPWAP state and roaming keys, and access point CAPWAP state. If the primary wireless controller fails, thousands of access points and wireless clients can switchover in less than a second to the secondary wireless LAN controller.
Cisco's Wireless Module for ISR Routers with UCS-E offers basic 802.11n and 802.11ac capability for 2900 and 3900 routers deployed by small to medium-sized organizations and satellite offices. This value-priced and expandable module can handle up to 200 access points and as many as 6000 clients. (To find out concerning Progent's remote and onsite consulting services for Cisco routers, see Cisco router configuration and troubleshooting services.)
Catalyst 3650 Series are 1RU switches designed for small to mid-size businesses and satellite offices and have a built-in wireless network controller with the capability to handle 40 Gb of wireless capacity for each switch and 25 access points and 1000 wireless clients per switch. Catalyst 3850 Series are 1RU switches intended for mid-size and large organizations and feature an integrated wireless LAN controller with 40 Gb of wireless capacity on each switch and the ability to handle up to 50 access points and up to 2000 clients. The Wireless Services Module2 is a plug-in blade for Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series switches with a built-in wireless LAN controller intended for mid-to-large size businesses and able to deliver 20 Gbps performance and able to handle 1000 access points and up to 15,000 clients. (To learn concerning Progent's support for Cisco Catalyst switches, see Catalyst switches configuration and management support.)
Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controllers are value-priced desktop units that simplify the deployment and operation of Wi-Fi networks for SMBs and branches. The Cisco 2500 Series wireless controller can handle 5 to 75 access points and 1000 clients and offers throughput of up to 1 Gbps.
The Cisco 5500 Series Wireless Controller is an expandable 1RU unit designed for medium-sized to large businesses and campus environments and can manage 500 APs and 7,000 clients while providing 8 Gbps performance. Cisco's 5760 Series Wireless Controller is a 1RU device designed for mid-to-large campuses with support for up to 1000 access points and 12,000 wireless clients and providing throughput of 60 Gbps to handle high client densities and high usage of media-rich applications.
The Cisco Flex 7500 Wireless Controller is intended to manage massive collections of wireless branches from a single location, avoiding the costs of a Wi-Fi controller at each remote site. The 1RU Flex 7500 appliance lets you establish a private cloud to configure, monitor, manage, and repair up to 6000 access points and 64,000 clients while supporting 1 Gbps performance. Cisco's 8500 Series Wireless Controller is a 1RU device designed to monitor and control wireless networks for very large campuses or for service providers and can scale to support 6000 wireless points and up to 64,000 clients while offering 10 Gbps throughput.
To find out more about Cisco WiFi controllers, see Cisco Wi-Fi controllers consulting and integration.Legacy Cisco Wireless Access Points, LAN Bridges and Wi-Fi Controllers Supported by Progent
The IEEE 802.11ac specification for Wi-Fi effectively rendered obsolete the previous generations of Wi-Fi devices for many environments that support high densities of wireless clients and high usage of video-intensive applications. Even for businesses who do not currently require the bandwidth efficiency of 802.11ac, many of Cisco wireless products have reached end-of-sale or end-of-support status, which can present serious maintenance and compliance issues. Progent's Cisco-certified consulting experts provide online and onsite support services for a broad range of older-generation wireless products from Cisco. Progent can in addition help companies to evaluate the financial justification for updating up-of-date wireless technology and can assist in planning and executing cost-effective, non-disruptive upgrades. The following are a few of Cisco legacy Wi-Fi devices that Progent's consulting experts continue to support.
Legacy Cisco Aironet Wireless Access Points
Cisco Aironet 1000/1130AG Series wireless access points are intended for conventional workplaces and other venues which have little environmental instability. These access points include built-in antennas that offer dependable radio coverage profiles. The Aironet 1130G Series WAP is designed for controlled domains that do not allow 802.11a transmission.
Aironet 1230AG/1240AG Series APs are designed for more difficult radio frequency situations like factories and warehouses or above suspended ceilings which commonly call for flexible protruding antennas and rugged metal enclosures. The Cisco 1240G Series wireless access point is designed for restricted locations that do not permit 5GHz operation.
Aironet 1500 family lightweight outside wireless mesh APs offer a cost-effective, expandable, protected outdoor wireless network solution for campus areas and for public venues that require access for portable devices.
Legacy Cisco Aironet Wireless Bridges
Cisco Aironet wireless LAN bridges provide a high-speed and feature-rich technology for integrating numerous local area networks in a metro situation or public wireless network. Cisco wireless LAN bridges provide a flexible, easy-to-use technology that satisfies the security demands of WAN professionals. These bridges manage both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint deployments with excellent coverage and support for traffic rates up to 54 Mbps.
Cisco Aironet wireless bridges offer data rates significantly faster than E1/T1 links for a fraction of the expense, erasing the requirement for costly leased lines when connecting separate buildings. Because wireless bridges have no ongoing costs, savings on connection services quickly cover the startup equipment investment. Private lines and even leased lines utilizing copper or optical cable can require considerable initial expenses if they are separated by barriers such as highways, train tracks, or lakes and rivers. Cisco wireless LAN bridges can be installed rapidly with a fast ROI.
Cisco 1300 outdoor access points/bridges can be implemented as stand-alone access points, wireless bridges, or wireless group bridges. These devices have a durable cover and provide fast, economical wireless interfaces between numerous stationary or mobile environments and clients.
Aironet 1400 family wireless bridges offer high-speed, dependable outdoor connections for line-of-sight (LOS) environments. They are housed in a durable cover that is optimized for harsh outdoor environments and function in wide temperature ranges.
Legacy Cisco Wireless Network Controllers
Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers centralize the management of wireless LANs by simplifying the handling of key functions such as integrated IPS, real-time RF management, zero touch deployment, and N+1 redundancy. Wireless LAN controllers operate with small wireless access points to offer superior performance and advanced control functions.
WLAN Controllers offer the control, expandability, protection, and reliability that network managers need to create safe, enterprise-scale wireless environments, from satellite offices to small companies to main campuses. Cisco's first-generation WLCs can be configured together to offer accommodation for as many as 2400 access points for each roaming domain.
Cisco's WLCM or WLCM-E Controller Module for IS Routers offers small-to mid-size businesses (SMBs) and enterprises a cost effective way to implement and control protected wireless networks at satellite locations. These controllers manage as many as 12 Cisco access points and are supported on 2800/3800 Series Routers and 3700 Series Integrated Services Routers. (To learn concerning Progent's online and on-premises consulting services for Cisco routers, see Cisco router configuration and management support.)
How Progent Can Assist Your Company with Cisco Wireless Technology
Progent can provide a Cisco-certified consulting professional to assist your business to plan, install, maintain and repair a converged wired/wireless environment incorporating a broad range of wireless devices that offer the same protection, extensibility, and manageability you expect from your wired network. Progent can assist you to support legacy Wi-Fi solutions from Cisco or migrate seamlessly to the latest 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 technology. Progent's CISA and ISSAP security specialists can show you how to design security into your wireless network and into your company's operations. Progent's disaster recovery planning consultants and business continuity planners can show you how to configure the high availability (HA) features built into Cisco's wired/wireless technologies so your converged infrastructure delivers significant business value.
Progent's Wi-Fi Site Survey helps you to plan and implement a robust WLAN optimized for your environment, offering a wireless ecosystem that delivers comprehensive coverage, high performance and density, Quality of Service to accommodate IP voice and video, enterprise-class security and compliance, and easy management. Progent's Wireless Site Survey can be performed remotely to cut time and expense, or on premises to deal with more complex situations.
For a more in-depth discussion of Progent's wireless integration services, visit Progent's Wireless Consulting Services. To find out additional information concerning Progent's engineering support for Cisco products, select a subject:
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