Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Point: Shipped with Wi-Fi 6

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Recently, Cisco released the newest AP, the Catalyst 9100 series access points, which are shipped with Wi-Fi 6. We all know the Wi-Fi 6 is the newest Wi-Fi technology, the next-generation wireless standard that’s faster than 802.11ac.

What is the Wi-Fi 6?

The emerging IEEE Wi-Fi 6 standard is the latest step in a journey of nonstop innovation. It builds on the strengths of 802.11ac while adding flexibility and scalability that lets new and existing networks power next-generation applications. IEEE Wi-Fi 6 couples the freedom and high speed of Gigabit Ethernet wireless with the reliability and predictability we find in licensed radio.

You may be confused why Wi-Fi has version numbers. Here is the list of every version of Wi-Fi:

  • Wi-Fi 1 would have been 802.11b, released in 1999.
  • Wi-Fi 2 would have been 802.11a, also released in 1999.
  • Wi-Fi 3 would have been 802.11g, released in 2003.
  • Wi-Fi 4 is 802.11n, released in 2009.
  • Wi-Fi 5 is 802.11ac, released in 2014.
  • Wi-Fi 6 is the new version, also known as 802.11ax. It’s scheduled for release in 2019.

wifi-6

As the Wi-Fi 6 is coming, Cisco provides Catalyst 9100 access points support Wi-Fi 6, that extending the power of intent-based networking with hardware and software innovations.

How many Platforms dose Catalyst 9100 provide?

Catalyst 9100 series provides three platform, Catalyst 9115, 9117 and 9120 series:

Cisco Catalyst 9115

  • Wi-Fi 6 certifiable
  • 3 radios: 2.4GHz (4×4), 5GHz (4×4), and BLE
  • Supports OFDMA and MU-MIMO
  • Internal and external antenna

(*See Catalyst 9115 models >>>)

Cisco Catalyst 9117

  • Wi-Fi 6 compatible
  • 3 radios: 2.4GHz (4×4), 5GHz (8×8), and BLE
  • Supports OFDMA and MU-MIMO
  • Internal antenna

(*See Catalyst 9117 models >>>)

Cisco Catalyst 9120

  • Wi-Fi 6-certifiable
  • Four radios: 2.5 GHz (4×4), 5 GHz (4×4), Cisco RF ASIC and BLE/IoT
  • Cisco Flexible Radio Assignment and Cisco CleanAir Technology
  • RF signature-capture capabilities

(*See Catalyst 9120 models >>>)

catalyst-9100-Access-point

What is the portfolio transition from the Cisco Aironet® 1800 Series to the Cisco Catalyst 9100 platform?

The Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points are the follow-ups to the Cisco Aironet 1830, 1850, and 2800 Series Access Points, respectively.

Here shares you a comparison of Catalyst 9100, Aironet 1830, Aironet 1850 and Aironet 2800.

( *See models: Catalyst 9100, Aironet 1830, Aironet 1850 and Aironet 2800 >>> )

Series Catalyst 9100 Aironet 1830 Aironet 1850 Aironet 2800
Wi-Fi standards 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax

or

802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax-prestandard

802.11a/b/g/n/acW2 802.11a/b/g/n/acW2 802.11a/b/g/n/acW2
Target deployment Small or midsize enterprise small and medium-sized networks small and medium-sized networks Midsize to large enterprise requiring advanced features
Antenna type 9115 – Internal and external

9117 – Internal

9120 – Internal, external and professional

Internal Internal and external Internal (2802i); external (2802e)
Number of radios 9115 – Three (2.4GHz, 5GHz, BLE)

9117 -Three (2.4GHz, 5GHz, BLE)

9120 – 5 GHz (4×4) Flexible radio with 2.4 or 5 GHz (4×4), Cisco RF ASIC, and IoT ready

Dual Dual Dual (XOR and 5 GHz)
Cisco RF ASIC  Only 9120 / /  /
Combined maximum data rate 5 Gbps 867 Mbps 1.7 Gbps 5 Gbps
MIMO radio design: number of spatial streams 9115&9120 -4×4:4 MU-MIMO

9117 – 8×8:8 MU-MIMO

3×3:2 MU-MIMO 4×4:4MU-MIMO 4×4:3 MU/SU-MIMO
Supported wireless LAN controllers ●  Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers

●  Cisco 3500, 5520, and 8540 Series Wireless Controllers and Cisco Virtual Wireless Controller

●  Cisco 2500, 3500 series Wireless Controllers,

Cisco Wireless Controller Module for ISR G2,

Cisco Wireless Services Module 2 (WiSM2) for Cisco Catalyst® 6500 Series Switches,

Cisco 5500 Series Wireless Controllers,

Cisco Flex® 7500 Series Wireless Controllers,

Cisco 8500, 9800 series Wireless Controllers,

Cisco 5760 Wireless LAN Controller,

Cisco Catalyst 3650 and 3850 Series Switches with integrated controller

●  Cisco Mobility Express

●  Cisco 2500, 3500 Series Wireless Controllers,

Cisco Wireless Controller Module for ISR G2,

Cisco Wireless Services Module 2 (WiSM2) for Catalyst® 6500 Series Switches,

Cisco 5500 Series Wireless Controllers,

Cisco Flex® 7500 Series Wireless Controllers,

Cisco 8500, 9800 series Wireless Controllers,

Cisco Virtual Wireless Controller

●  Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series Switches,

Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series Switches

●  Cisco Mobility Express

Want to know more about Catalyst 9100? Please visit these official introductions:

Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points Datasheet

Compare Cisco Indoor Access Points

Cisco Catalyst 9100 and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Customer FAQ

Additional information about Cisco Aps and Controllers:

Cisco 1830, 1850, 2800, and 3800 Access Points Series Comparison

Find the Right Access Point for Your Organization

Why Upgrade to Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers?

802.11ax? What is 802.11ax?

Reference:

Wi-Fi 6: What’s Different, and Why it Matters

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