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.
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 >>>)
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 |
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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?
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