Cisco has developed a comprehensive portfolio of wireless networking devices and technologies intended to enable continual connections to data and other resources and to facilitate teamwork among workers, partners, suppliers, and clients. Cisco's wireless product families include the Small Business, Aironet and Meraki lines of access points, as well as Cisco's Wireless Network Controller plug-ins and standalone devices. Progent's Cisco-certified wireless experts can enable organizations of any size to utilize Cisco wireless technology to support the current model of Bring-Your-Own-Device networks by integrating their wired/wireless networks to benefit from simplified deployment, predictable performance, single-point management, uniform policy, high availability, and advanced protection.

Cisco's Unified Wireless architecture can scale to as many as 18,000 wireless access points with full Layer 3 connectivity at local or offsite venues like business headquarters, university auditoriums, 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 identical degree of security, performance, and ease of management for wireless LANs that companies demand in their wired ecosystem. Cisco's technology incorporates integrated mobility services like IP voice, high-definition IP video, and safe guest access. Cisco's Unified Wireless technology enables companies to create wireless ecosystems that improve the way they do business and enhance output through a dynamic and connected workforce.
Progent's Cisco-certified network infrastructure consultants offers remote or onsite support to help your organization to design, configure, maintain, upgrade, and troubleshoot converged wired and wireless networks of any size and for any venue. In addition, Progent can provide value-priced online and onsite Wi-Fi site surveys to assist you to design and install a Wi-Fi LAN with customized wireless access point clustering optimized for your specific work area layout, building structure, and intended application.
Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst Wireless Access Points
Cisco's Small Business, Aironet, Meraki and Catalyst families of wireless access points allow you to integrate wired/wireless infrastructure to provide the coverage, density, performance, security and ease of management required to support practically any scenario. Cisco's APs start at bare bones, single-band 802.11b/g/n units with throughput of 300 Mbps intended for small companies or home offices to 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) wireless access points suitable for handling hundreds of wireless clients on each access point and delivering data rates of more than 5 Gigabits per second. Cisco's latest selection of wireless access points can be combined or clustered to provide the capacity to handle wireless networks crowded with clients and with high usage rates of HD video application software.
Small Business Series of APs
Cisco's Small Business 100, 300 and 500 Family of wireless access points are Linux-based units intended as entry-level Wi-Fi APs for small offices. Most versions in Cisco's Small Business family of wireless access points work with Cisco's Single Point Setup technology, which makes it possible to configure, control and troubleshoot a cluster of wireless access points from a single AP via a simple web browser interface. All models support Power over Ethernet and feature Quality of Service (QoS), rogue access point detection, and bridging for wirelessly connecting to a second network.
The Cisco Small Business WAP121 Access Point is a wallmount, single-radio 2.4GHz device that can handle 16 active 802.11b/g/n clients, includes a Fast Ethernet interface, allows up to 4 access pointss and 40 active clients in a 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 wireless access point that can support 16 wireless clients on each radio for a total of up to 32 wireless clients, features a Gigabit Ethernet LAN interface, and can support throughput of 300 Mbps per radio. The WAP131 does not support AP clustering. Cisco's Small Business WAP150 is an entry-level dual-radio AC/n access point that includes a one Gbit Poe port and can support 16 clients from each radio with 867 Mbps throughput for 802.11ac devices and 300 Mbps for 802.11n clients. Cisco's WAP1501 allows 4 access points for each cluster.
The Cisco Small Business WAP321 Wireless-N model is a wall-mountable single-band (either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) 802.11a/b/g/n unit with support for up to 80 active wireless clients in an 8-AP cluster. The WAP321 features a 10/100/1000 Ethernet interface and can support a data rate of 300 Mbps for the selected radio. Cisco's WAP351 is a dual-band 802.11n access point with a 5-port Gigabit Ethernet switch and can support 32 active clients per radio for a total of up to 64 clients, and support sustained throughput of 300 Mbps for each radio. The WAP351 does not support clustering. The Cisco Small Business WAP361 is a dual-radio 802.11ac AP that features a 5 x Gb Ethernet LAN switch, can support 32 active WLAN clients per radio, and delivers 867 Mbps performance for wireless AC clients and 300 Mbps performance for 802.11n clients. The Cisco Small Business WAP361 supports 8 access points per cluster. Cisco's wallmount Small Business WAP371 Wireless-AC/N is a dual-radio AP that works with 802.11n and the latest 802.11ac IEEE Wi-Fi standard. The WAP371 includes a Gigabit Ethernet interface, can handle up to 32 active wireless clients on each radio, and 8 APs per cluster.
The Cisco WAP561 Wireless-N Selectable Band AP features a GE port and dual radios (2.4 and 5.0 GHz) that deliver 450 Mbps throughput for each radio, can handle 64 devices per radio, and allow up to 16 access points per cluster. Cisco's WAP551 is similar to the WAP 561 but features a single selectable band. The Cisco Small Business WAP571 and WAP571E (the weather-proof outside model) are dual-radio 802.11ac Wave 1 APs incorporating 2 x GE interfaces with link aggregation (LAG), 3x3 MIMO, and as high as 1.9 Gigabit/sec throughput with 1300 Mbps over 802.11ac and 600 Mbps over 802.11n. Both units can handle 32 active WAN clients per radio and 16 APs per cluster.

The Cisco WAP581 Wireless-AC Dual Radio Wave 2 Access Point supports the Wi-Fi 5 standard and offers 4x4 and 3x3 MU-MIMO technology to provide 2.8 Gbps data rates on the 5.0-Ghz radio and 0.6 Gbps on the 2.4-GHz radio for an aggregate max data rate of 2.4 Gbps. The Small Business WAP581 has 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 supports up to 200 connective client users, up to 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 current and older Cisco Small Business series of wireless access points, refer to Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 wireless APs consulting.
The Aironet Family of Wireless Access Points

The Aironet portfolio of wireless access points has for years been the top-selling AP product. Aironet access points run the gamut from entry-level models to advanced units. Cisco's Aironet line cover several generations of models compliant with the continually improving 802 standard. Cisco's latest portfolio of Aironet wireless access points support Cisco's Unified Wireless Network architecture and come with 802.11ac Wi-Fi support, which offers triple the speed plus superior coverage and density in comparison to the previous generation of devices. Cisco's latest dual-frequency Aironet access points continue to accommodate 802.11n at 2.4 GHz for client devices that lack 802.11ac capability.
The earliest Aironet access points are outdated devices that have come to end-of-life status and are not supported by Cisco. Progent still offers support for the complete Aironet family of wireless access points and can help your company to manage and troubleshoot your existing Aironet wireless system or move smoothly to current Aironet technology. For more information about Progent's consulting services for both current and outdated Aironet access points, refer to Cisco Aironet APs system design and troubleshooting.
Cisco's Meraki Wireless Access Points
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Cisco's portfolio of Meraki dual-band 2.4/5 GHz indoor wireless access points range from value-priced devices for general use to enterprise-class products that offer up to 5.9 Gigabit per second performance. Each Meraki indoor AP offers high-end features like self-configuring plug-and-play deployment, in-depth security, BYOD support, built-in analytics, automatic web-based firmware updates, and consolidated cloud-based management for multiple sites. Each Meraki indoor AP also incorporates dual powerful radios with boosted reception as well as a separate radio that offers intrusion detection and prevention system (WIDS/WIPS) security for RF analysis and deep packet inspection at line rate.
Cisco's Meraki outdoor APs are IP67 rated, built to withstand rugged outdoor environments, and tested to withstand dust particles, shock and moisture. Meraki outdoor wireless access points include a 1 x Gbit Ethernet port and offer advanced features that include cloud-based management with multi-site control, native Active Directory integration, built-in antivirus scan, single-click secure guest access and guest isolation firewall, Layer 7 traffic shaping, plus auto-configuring mesh with MIMO. For details about Progent's consulting services for Meraki wireless access points and management, refer to Meraki APs consulting.
Catalyst 9100 Family of Wi-Fi 6 and W-Fi 6E Access Points

Cisco's Catalyst 9100 line of Wi-Fi 6/6E access points are intended for environments ranging from telecommuter homes to crowded convention centers. Catalyst 9100 APs 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 designed to use both the 2.4-Ghz and 5-GHz bands. Headline technologies incorporated in Cisco Catalyst 9100 Series access points include OFDMA scheduling for high density deployments, dual NAVs for better dependability, increased device sleep time for conserving power usage in battery-powered endpoints, adaptive sensitivity thresholds for more efficient spectrum utilization, and dynamic fragmentation for reduced overhead. Catalyst 9100 wireless access points support Cisco's Embedded Wireless Controller, handle up to 400 clients per Wi-Fi radio, and are powered by Cisco IOS XE Software.
Cisco's Catalyst 916x Series Wi-Fi 6E APs are the first Cisco APs that have the option to be managed either on-prem with Cisco DNA Center or from the cloud by using Meraki Dashboard management utilities. This permits organizations to transition to cloud-based or hybrid management environments at their own pace. All Cisco's Catalyst 916x APs meet the a/b/g/n/ac/ax and 6E Wi-Fi specifications and support the new 6-GHz band. Each device has 5 radios and supports as many as 400 clients on each radio. Every AP also contains a dedicated radio for Cisco CleanAir Pro for mitigating wireless interference, comes with a USB 2.0 port, and supports Bluetooth Low Energy. The entry-level Catalyst 9162 Series AP is designed for small businesses, incorporates three 2x2 radios, and includes 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet support.
The Catalyst 9163E Wi-Fi 6E AP is designed for harsh outside deployments like campuses or municipal Wi-Fi. The 9163E comes with three client serving 2x2 radios, one IoT radio, and a tri-band scanning radio. Interfaces include 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G Multigigabit 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. Cisco's Catalyst 9164 Series access point is intended for small and middle-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 suited for large and medium-sized enterprises, incorporates three 4x4 radios, and provides 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G/5G mGig Ethernet support. The 9166 also includes environmental sensors that detect air quality, temperature, and moisture. For more information about Progent's consulting services for Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Line of Wi-Fi 6/6E Access Points, refer to Wi-Fi 6/6E 802.11ax APs solution planning, configuration, and troubleshooting consulting.
Cisco 9800 Series 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers
Catalyst 9800 Series Wi-Fi 6-supported wireless LAN controllers help you automate and manage advanced Wi-Fi networks that support 802.11ax APs. 802.11ax, also called Wi-Fi 6, improves on prior generation 802.11ac (called Wi-Fi 5) appliances by delivering less latency and more reliable performance, allowing higher client density, offering enhanced protection, saving energy for battery-powered mobile devices, and offering more versatility for supporting the latest types of Internet-of-Things endpoints. Cisco's Catalyst 9800 Series Wi-Fi controllers feature high availability with seamless software updates, hot fixes, and the ability to connect additional wireless APs without service interruption. Enhanced security technologies include Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA), secure boot, and Software-Defined Access. Streaming telemetry allows you to monitor and analyze network and client health.
All devices in the Catalyst 9800 family are based on Cisco's IOS XE Software and work with Cisco's DNA Center or with Prime Infrastructure management platforms. Catalyst 9800 Series wireless network controllers can manage Cisco Aironet Wi-Fi 5 Wave 1 and Wave 2 access points as well as Cisco Catalyst 9100 Wi-Fi 6 wireless APs. To learn more about Progent's consulting services for Cisco 9800 Series 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Controllers, refer to Cisco Catalyst 9800 line of Wi-Fi 6 wireless controller appliances system design, deployment, and management services.
Cisco Wi-Fi 5 Wireless LAN Controllers
Cisco Wave 2 Wi-Fi controllers allow fast data exchange, provisioning, management, analysis and troubleshooting for Cisco Wi-Fi devices and services. Cisco offers both physical and software-based wireless controllers for centralized administration of wireless environments, but networks with many Wi-Fi access points are better served by physical wireless controllers. New Wi-Fi controller devices from Cisco deliver major advantages over Wave 1 and earlier models such as greater throughput, concurrent support for 1G and 10G interfaces, improved application visibility and control, and advanced, integrated protection.
The Cisco 3504 Wireless Controller is an entry-level device with a desktop enclosure and intended for smaller businesses. You can use the 3504 in a centralized network environment such as in small branch and home-based offices administered over the wide-area network with FlexConnect, or in mesh deployments where Ethernet cabling is sparse. The 3504 wireless controller supports up to 150 access points and 3,000 client users, offers 4 Gbps throughput, and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. Cisco's 3504 WiFi controller features a multi-gigabit Ethernet interface and four 1-GB Ethernet ports. APs can be attached directly to the controller via two Power over Ethernet (PoE) ports. The 3504 Wi-Fi controller features fast failover for APs and clients, which provides uninterrupted availability for apps. Like other Wave 2 wireless controllers from Cisco, the 3504 device has the integrated capability to work with Cisco Prime Infrastructure, Cisco Mobility Services Engine, and Cisco 5520 and 8540 wireless controllers.
Cisco's 5520 WiFi Controller, available in a 1RU package, is designed for larger enterprises and campus environments and can be run in centralized, distributed, and mesh deployments. The 5520 wireless controller supports up to 1,500 access points and 20,000 clients, offers 20 Gbps throughput, and supports 4,096 VLANs. The 5520 wireless controller includes two 10 GE interfaces and incorporates solid-state storage, redundant fans, optional redundant power supplies, and rapid failover for high availability.
The Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller, offered in a 2 rack unit package, is a high-end wireless controller intended to support large enterprises, service providers, and large campus environments. The 8540 Wireless controller can be run in centralized, distributed, and mesh architectures and can handle up to 6,000 wireless APs and 64,000 client users. The 8540 WiFi controller can deliver data rates as high as 40 Gbps and supports up to 4,096 VLANs. The 8340 comes with four 1-GB or 10GE interfaces and features solid-state storage, redundant power supplies, backup fans, and subsecond failover.
Wave 1 Cisco Wireless Network Controllers
Cisco wireless LAN controllers cut the time and expense required to deploy, monitor, and troubleshoot Wi-Fi networks by centralizing control of tasks like provisioning APs, applying consistent policies across converged LANs, supporting enterprise-wide QoS for voice and video, tracking and troubleshooting network performance, implementing security capabilities to guard against cyber break-ins and Distributed Denial of Service attacks, and handling IPv6 and dual-stack clients. Cisco has developed wireless network controllers for organizations of all sizes and offers desktop or rackmount appliances, modular plug-in controllers for Cisco ISR routers and switches, and Catalyst switches with integrated wireless LAN controllers.
Cisco's Wave 1 wireless controllers incorporate Cisco CleanAir technology to avoid RF interference and create self-optimizing wireless networks for top 802.11n and 802.11ac throughput and protection. Built-in Bonjour Gateways enable discovery across the enterprise for Apple applications. For fault tolerance, Cisco wireless network controllers support AP and client stateful switchover by enabling a backup HA wireless controller to synchronize with a primary wireless controller for AP license tabulation, CAPWAP keys, and AP CAPWAP state. In case the main controller fails, thousands of wireless access points and clients can failover in less than a second to the backup wireless network controller.
Cisco's Wireless Controller Module for ISR Routers with UCS-E provides basic 802.11n and 802.11ac support for Cisco 2900 and 3900 Series routers used by smaller organizations and branches. This value-priced and scalable solution can support up to 200 APs and as many as 6000 clients. (For information about Progent's remote and on-premises consulting services for Cisco routers, see Cisco router deployment and management consulting.)
Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series are 1RU form-factor switches intended for small to mid-size businesses and branch offices and have a built-in wireless controller with the capability to handle 40 Gb of wireless throughput per switch and 25 access points and 1000 wireless clients per switch. Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series are 1RU rackmount switches designed for mid-size and large organizations and feature a built-in wireless LAN controller supporting 40 Gb of wireless throughput on each switch and the ability to handle 50 access points and up to 2000 wireless clients. The Wireless Services Module2 (WiSM2) is a plug-in blade for Catalyst 6500 Series switches with a built-in wireless controller designed for mid-to-large size businesses and able to deliver 20 Gbps throughput and able to handle 1000 access points and up to 15,000 clients. (For information about Progent's online and onsite consulting support for Cisco switches, refer to Catalyst switches deployment and management consulting.)
Cisco 2500 Wireless Controllers are economical desktop devices that streamline the provisioning and operation of wireless LANs for small to medium-sized enterprises and branches. The Cisco 2500 Series wireless LAN controller can manage 5 to 75 APs and 1000 wireless clients and can deliver throughput of 1 Gbps.
The Cisco 5500 Series Wireless Controller is an expandable 1RU appliance intended for medium-sized to large enterprises and campuses and can support up to 500 access points and 7,000 wireless clients while delivering 8 Gbps throughput. Cisco's 5760 Wireless Controller is a 1RU device intended for mid-to-large campuses with the ability to manage up to 1000 wireless access points and 12,000 clients and offering throughput of 60 Gbps to accommodate high client densities and high amounts of video-intensive applications.
Cisco's Flex 7500 Series Wireless Controller is intended to manage thousands of wireless branches from one location, avoiding the costs of a Wi-Fi controller at every remote site. The 1RU rackmount Flex 7500 lets you establish a private cloud to deploy, track, maintain, and repair as many as 6000 wireless access points and up to 64,000 clients while handling 1 Gbps throughput. The Cisco 8500 Wireless Controller is a 1RU rackmount appliance engineered to manage Wi-Fi networks for large campuses or for service providers and can be expanded to handle up to 6000 APs and up to 64,000 clients while offering 10 Gbps throughput.
To find out more about Cisco WiFi controllers, see Cisco wireless controllers consulting services.Legacy Cisco Wireless Access Points, Bridges and Wi-Fi Controllers Supported by Progent
The IEEE 802.11ac standard for wireless connectivity effectively made obsolete all previous releases of Wi-Fi products for venues that have high numbers of wireless clients and high incidence of HD video software applications. Even for businesses who do not require the performance of 802.11ac, a large number of Cisco wireless products have reached end-of-life status, which can present significant service and regulatory compliance problems. Progent's Cisco-certified consulting experts provide remote and on-premises support for a wide range of older-generation wireless products from Cisco. Progent can in addition help companies to assess the business case for updating up-of-date wireless technology and can assist in designing and carrying out affordable, non-disruptive migrations. The following are a sample of Cisco legacy Wi-Fi products that Progent's consultants continue to support.
Legacy Cisco Aironet APs
Cisco Aironet 1000 or 1130AG family access points are ideal for conventional workplaces and other sites which have little environmental variability. These access points have integrated antennas that provide predictable omnidirectional range profiles. The 1130G family product is offered for regulated locations that do not permit 802.11a/5GHz transmission.
Cisco Aironet 1230AG/1240AG family wireless access points are ideal for more difficult RF environments like factories and warehouses or above ceiling structures which often require adjustable external antennas and rugged metal cases. The Cisco 1240G Series product is designed for restricted domains that do not permit 802.11a operation.
Cisco Aironet 1500 family lightweight outside wireless mesh APs provide a cost-effective, expandable, protected outdoor wireless solution for campus areas and for public venues that require access for portable phones or computers.
Legacy Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Bridges
Cisco wireless bridges offer a high-throughput and multi-featured technology for connecting numerous local area networks in a metro area or public access environment. Cisco Aironet wireless bridges offer a versatile, easy-to-use solution that meets the security needs of WAN professionals. These bridges support both PTP and PMP configurations with excellent coverage and the ability to handle traffic throughput as high as 54 Mbps.
Cisco Aironet wireless bridges deliver throughput several times higher than E1/T1 links for much lower cost, erasing the requirement for costly leased lines when linking separate buildings. Since wireless bridges have no recurring costs, the expenses saved on leased-line bills quickly cover the startup hardware investment. Private lines and in some cases leased lines using metal or fiber-optic cable can require high initial costs if they are separated by obstacles like freeways, train tracks, or bodies of water. Cisco Aironet wireless bridges can be installed rapidly with a fast ROI.
Cisco Aironet 1300 family outdoor access points/bridges can be implemented as independent access points, bridges, or wireless group bridges. These products have a tough cover and provide high-speed, cost-effective wireless connectivity between numerous fixed or mobile networks and clients.
Cisco 1400 family wireless bridges offer high-speed, reliable outside bridging for line-of-sight (LOS) environments. They include a ruggedized cover that is optimized for severe outside conditions and operate within broad temperature ranges.
Legacy Cisco WLAN Controllers
Cisco WLAN Controllers provide single-point management of WLANs by simplifying the handling of key functions including integrated intrusion prevention system (IPS), real-time RF management, zero touch deployment, and N+1 redundancy. These controllers work with small APs to deliver superior throughput and advanced management functions.
Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) offer the manageability, expandability, security, and dependability that IT managers require to build secure, large-scale wireless networks, from branch offices to small businesses to main campuses. Cisco's first-generation Wireless Network Controllers can be configured together to provide support for as many as 2400 WAPs per roaming domain.
The Cisco WLCM or WLCM-E Module for IS Routers provides small-to medium businesses (SMBs) and enterprises an affordable solution to implement and control secure wireless LANs at satellite locations. These wireless controllers manage up to a dozen Aironet APs and are supported on 2800/3800 Series IS Routers and Cisco 3700 Series Integrated Services Routers. (To learn concerning Progent's remote and onsite support for Cisco routers, refer to Cisco router configuration and management services.)
How Progent's Consultants Can Help You with Cisco Wireless Devices
Progent can provide a Cisco-certified consultant to assist your business to design, install, maintain and troubleshoot a converged wired/wireless infrastructure incorporating a wide array of wireless technologies that offer the identical protection, extensibility, and manageability you expect from your wired environment. Progent can assist you to manage legacy Wi-Fi products from Cisco or upgrade efficiently to the latest 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 technology. Progent's CISA and ISSAP security consultants can show you how to design security into your wireless network and your company's operations. Progent's disaster recovery consultants and business continuity planning consultants can show you how to set up the HA features incorporated into Cisco's wired/wireless technologies so your converged infrastructure delivers continuing return on investment.
Progent's Wi-Fi Site Survey assists you to design and implement a robust WLAN customized for your facilities, providing a Wi-Fi ecosystem that delivers comprehensive coverage, high performance and density, QoS to handle IP voice and video, advanced security and compliance, and easy management. Progent's Wireless Site Survey can be delivered online to cut time and expense, or on premises for more complex situations.
For a more in-depth look at Progent's wireless integration services, see Progent's Wireless LAN Support Services. To see additional details about Progent's professional expertise for Cisco products, pick a subject:
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