Introduction to of Cisco's Catalyst Series Wi-Fi 6/6E Access Points
The Cisco Catalyst series of 802.11ax (called Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E) wireless access points build on prior generation 802.11ac (aka Wi-Fi 5) APs by offering less latency and more predictable operation, supporting increased client user density, providing tighter security, conserving power for battery-based mobile client devices, and offering more flexibility for handling different types of IoT endpoints. Cisco's Wi-Fi 6E devices include compatibility with the 6-GHz spectrum, offering an additional 1200 MHz of bandwidth to provide more than double the Wi-Fi bandwidth compared to the 5-GHz band.

Progent's Cisco CCIE-certified wireless network experts can provide online or on-premises integration and troubleshooting services to assist your organization to design, configure, update, tune, manage and debug Catalyst wireless AP deployments of any scale or architecture. Progent's Cisco wireless controller experts can also assist you to combine your Wi-Fi environment with your wired network and cloud-based resources to create an enterprise-wide connectivity foundation that is simple to manage and expand. Progent also can provide affordable wireless site surveys to assist you to determine the most efficient selection, placement and configuration of Aironet wireless APs to accommodate your specific workplace layout, building structure, and expected network traffic.

Catalyst Wi-Fi 6 Access Points Consultants

Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Line of Wi-Fi 6/6E 802.11ax APs deliver the performance and density of the 802.11ax standard

The Catalyst 9100 Series 802.11ax wireless access points are designed for deployments ranging from telecommuter homes to high-density stadiums. Catalyst 9100 APs are compliant with the 802.11ax standard, referred to as Wi-Fi 6, which is an evolution of the previous 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard. Unlike 802.11ac, Wi-Fi 6 is designed to utilize both the 2.4-Ghz and 5-GHz bands. Important enhancements supported by Cisco Catalyst 9100 Series APs include MU-MIMO support for uplink traffic, dual NAVs for better reliability, TWT for conserving power consumption in battery-dependent endpoints, adaptive power thresholds for better spectrum utilization, and extended guard intervals for improved outdoor performance. All Catalyst 9100 Series 802.11ax APs support Cisco's Embedded Wireless Controller, handle up to 200 clients per Wi-Fi radio, and are powered by Cisco IOS XE Software.

Catalyst 9105i Wi-Fi 6 AP Solution Design ExpertsCisco's Catalyst 9105AXi Series wireless AP is a low-profile Wi-Fi 6 access point intended for operation in home offices or in small to medium size businesses. The Catalyst 9105AXi supports 802.11a/b/g/n/acW2/ax and features dual 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios plus an Internet-of-Things radio supporting (BLE) 5.0 and Zigbee. Cisco's Catalyst 9105AXi device features 2x2:2 MU/SU-MIMO and delivers a combined top data rate of 1.2 Gbps. The 9105AXi AP includes a 10/100/1000 Base-T uplink port with PoE 802.3at, an RJ-45 management console port, and two built-in antennas. Channel width for the 2.4 GHz radio is 20 MHz and 20/40/80 MHz for the 5 GHz radio. With EWC installed, the Catalyst 9105AXi can manage 50 access points and 1,000 client users.

Cisco Catalyst 9105AXw Wi-Fi 6 APs Solution Design ExpertsThe Cisco Catalyst 9105AXw Series Wi-Fi access point is designed specially as a wall-mount device and is targeted at hospitality, residence halls, and other high-occupancy living spaces. The 9105AXw's capability is similar to Cisco's 9105AXi AP but has different antenna options and features a variety of interfaces not available on the 9105AXi device. These include a 100/1000/2500 Base-T (Ethernet) uplink port, three 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet downlink ports, a USB 2.0 interface, and a passthru port. One downlink port has 10.5W PSE Power Budget.

Catalyst 9115 Wi-Fi 6 Access Points Planning and Deployment ConsultantsCisco's Catalyst 9115AX Series Wi-Fi 6-supported LAN access point is intended for small to medium size organizations. The 9115AX supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax and incorporates three Wi-Fi radios plus an IoT radio covering Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0. The 9115AX includes 4x4:4 + 4x4:4 spatial streams and delivers an aggregate maximum data rate of 5 Gbps. The Catalyst 9115AX includes a fixed 100/1000/2500 Multigigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) uplink port with PoE 802.3at, an RJ-45 management console interface, a USB 2.0 port, built-in antennas, plus extra-cost external antennas. Memory includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash. With Embedded Wireless Controller installed, Cisco's 9115AX lets you manage up to 50 APs and 1,000 client users.

Catalyst 9117 Wi-Fi 6 APs Planning and Deployment ConsultantsThe Cisco Catalyst 9117AX Series Wi-Fi AP is intended for small to medium size organizations. The Wi-Fi 6 appliance complies with the 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax standards and incorporates three Wi-Fi radios as well as an Internet-of-Things (IoT) radio covering (BLE) 5.0. The Cisco Catalyst 9117AX Series AP features 8x8:8 MIMO for the 5-GHz band and 4x4 MIMO with four spatial streams for the 2.4-GHz {radio. Maximum aggregate performance is 5 Gbps. The Catalyst 9117AX Series AP comes with a 100/1000/2500/5000 Ethernet (RJ-45) interface with PoE 802.3at, an RJ-45 management console port, a USB 2.0 interface, and integrated internal antennas. RAM includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash. With Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC) installed, the Catalyst 9117AX can manage as many as 50 APs and 1,000 clients.

Catalyst 9120AX Wireless APs Planning and Deployment ExpertsCisco's Catalyst 9120AX Series Wi-Fi 6 access point is designed for for medium to large enterprises. The Catalyst 9120AX complies with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax and includes four radios. Flexible Radio Assignment technology allows radios to work either in 2.4-GHz/5-GHz mode or in Dual 5-GHz mode. An IoT radio supports Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0. The Cisco 9120AX features 4x4:4 MU-MIMO and delivers an aggregate maximum throughput of 5.2 Gbps when both Wi-Fi radios operate in 5-GHz mode. The Catalyst 9120AX includes 100/1000/2500 Multigigabit Ethernet (RJ-45). The device also supports PoE 802.3at and comes with an RJ-45 management console port, a USB 2.0 port, and built-in internal antennas. External antennas are optional. System memory includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash memory. With Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC) installed, the 9120AX Series AP can manage up to 100 APs and 2,000 clients.

Catalyst 9130 Wireless APs Planning and Deployment ConsultantsCisco's Catalyst 9130AX Series Wi-Fi 6 AP is designed for mid-size to large networks and high-density open environments such as convention centers and arenas. The Catalyst 9130AX complies with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax and features 8x8:8 MU-MIMO spatial streams. External antennas on Cisco's 9130AX device may be split into two 4x4 radios. An IoT radio supports Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0. The Cisco Catalyst 9130AX features a 100/1000/2500/5000 Ethernet uplink port and delivers a combined maximum data rate of 5.38 Gbps. The access point also supports PoE 802.3at and comes with an RJ-45 management interface, a USB 2.0 port, and integrated internal antennas. Cisco's 9130AX AP includes an intelligent physical antenna connector that offers you the versatility to set up an external antenna to handle challenging venues. Memory includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash. With Embedded Wireless Controller installed, the 9130AX can manage 100 APs and 2,000 client users.

Cisco Catalyst 9136 Wi-Fi 6E APs Planning and Deployment ExpertsCisco's Catalyst 9136 Series represents a breakthrough line of APs targeted at enterprises who want the enhanced speed, capacity, and cybersecurity brought about by the 6-GHz spectrum expansion introduced with the Wi-Fi 6E specification. By adding 1.2 GHz of contiguous and clean RF spectrum in the 6 GHz band, the Wi-Fi 6E standard implemented in Catalyst 9136 Series APs delivers over twice the spectrum that can be used by earlier model Wi-Fi client devices. Catalyst 9136 access points support legacy 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax Wi-Fi devices operating in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands in addition to the newer generation of 6 GHz Wi-Fi devices. MU-MIMO spatial streams support up to 8x8:8 at 5 GHz and up to 4x4:4 at 2.4/6 GHz. Combined top data rate is 10.2 Gbps. Also featured are a Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0 radio for IoT and a scan radio. Internal antennas antennas support 2.4 GHz, 5-GHz, and 6 GHz operation. Catalyst 9136 access points have two integrated 5 Gbps mGig (RJ-45) Ethernet ports. Channel width is 20 MHz at 2.4 GHz and 20/40/80/160 MHz at 5/6 GHz. System memory includes 2048 MB DRAM and 1024 MB flash memory. Power options include PoE, PoE+, and UPoE.

Cisco Catalyst 9166 Wi-Fi 6E Access Point ConsultantsCisco's Catalyst 916x Series Wi-Fi 6E access points are the first Cisco APs to feature the versatility of being managed on-prem via Cisco DNA Center platform or through the cloud by using Meraki management utilities. This allows organizations to transition to cloud-based or hybrid management environments on their own schedule. All Catalyst 916x APs support the a/b/g/n/ac/ax and 6E Wi-Fi standards and support the new 6-GHz band. Each device includes 5 radios and allows as many as 400 clients per radio. Every AP also features a dedicated radio for Cisco CleanAir Pro for mitigating interference, comes with a USB 2.0 port, and supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Cisco's entry-level Catalyst 9162 Series access point is suited for small businesses, incorporates three 2x2 radios, and provides 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet support.

Cisco Catalyst Access Points Solutions Planning and ConfigurationThe Catalyst 9163E Wi-Fi 6E access point is designed for harsh outside venues like 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 Multigigabit Ethernet (RJ-45), a management console port (RJ-45), 4x N-Type Wi-Fi antenna connectors, and a GPS/GNSS antenna connector. The AP works with Omnidirectional Dipole Self-Identifying Antennas. The Catalyst 9164 Series AP is intended for small and mid-size enterprises, has one 2x2 radio and two 4x4 radios, and offers 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G mGig Ethernet. The Catalyst 9166 Series Wi-Fi access point is suited for large and mid-sized enterprises, incorporates three 4x4 radios, and features 1x 100M/1000M/2.5G/5G mGig Ethernet connectivity. The 9166 also comes with environmental sensors to detect air quality, temperature, and humidity.

Cisco's EWC on Catalyst 9100 Series Wi-Fi 6 Access Points
Cisco's Embedded Wireless Controller is a software image powered by Cisco IOS XE and offered on most Catalyst 9100 wireless access points. EWC includes the majority of features, but not the expandability, of Cisco's Catalyst 9800 family of wireless controller appliances. Access points running EWC can simultaneously service Wi-Fi client users. (Catalyst 9105AXW APs can be members of an EWC network and support clients but are not able to provide EWC functions.) Cisco's Embedded Wireless Controller can be managed via Cisco DNA Center (DNAC) for multi-site networks, or by means of a web browser or mobile app for single-site environments. All Cisco DNAC Automation and Assurance use cases are available. EWC features include high availability by deploying active and standby controllers, software maintenance updates for live patching, automatic configuration, Application Visibility and Control (AVC), and Flexible Radio Assignment.

How Progent's Consultants Can Help You with Cisco Catalyst Wi-Fi 6/6E APs
Progent can provide a Cisco-certified CCIE consultant to help your business to design, configure, maintain and troubleshoot a Wi-Fi solution that includes Cisco's Catalyst 9100 Wi-Fi 6 access points. Progent can help you to maintain early-generation Wi-Fi access points from Cisco or migrate efficiently to current 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6. Progent's Cisco wireless controller integration consultants can assist you to determine whether your wireless environment should incorporate Cisco wireless controller hardware or can be managed with Cisco's software-based management tools like the EWC.

Progent's CISM, CISSP, and ISSAP security consultants can show you how to design protection into your wireless network and your business processes. Progent's disaster recovery planning consultants and business continuity planners can assist you to configure the high availability (HA) features built into Cisco's wireless and wired products so your converged infrastructure provides non-stop business value.

Progent's Wireless Site Survey assists you to plan and implement a state-of-the-art wireless network customized for your environment, offering a wireless ecosystem that delivers comprehensive coverage, high speed and density, QoS features to handle IP video, enterprise-class security, and streamlined management. Progent's Wireless Site Survey can be performed online to reduce time and expense, or onsite for more complex facilities.

To see additional details concerning Progent's professional support for Cisco products, select a subject: Contact Progent for Expertise with Catalyst WiFi 5 and WiFi 6/6E APs
To learn more about Progent's support for designing, integrating, managing and troubleshooting a Wi-Fi deployment incorporating Cisco Catalyst 9100 Series WiFi 5 and WiFi 6/6E access points, call 1-800-993-9400 or visit Contact Progent.