Cisco Catalyst 9100 access points can handle the challenges of the next-generation network. Going beyond the Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standard, Catalyst 9100 access points are resilient and intelligent and provide integrated security for mobile clients and IoT devices. For larger enterprises, consider Catalyst 9130 access points, which offers advanced features.
1.What is the WiFi 6?
You can watch this introduction video of WiFi 6 at first and learn more details in the following post.
WiFi6’s original name (and standard code) is 802.11ax, which is the sixth generation of WiFi technology. Undoubtedly, compared with previous generations of WiFi, its technology will be more advanced. WiFi-6 will provide faster speed, high throughput, greater coverage, better security, and lower latency for users with a better and more enjoyable experience.
The following are the features of WiFi 6:
(1). Support for compatibility with the 2.4GHz/5GHz operating frequency band, the speed has been greatly improved.
(2). The MU-MIMO (Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output System) is improved, that is, it can support 8 terminal devices to transmit more data in the uplink/downlink at the same time.
(3). The OFDMA (Uplink and Downlink Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) is introduced to achieve complementary transmission with MU-MIMO. The OFDMA technology further improves network efficiency and reduces delay.
(4). The highest modulation 1024QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation mode) can encode more data in the same amount of spectrum to improve throughput, throughput is increased by 15% compared to WiFi5, and its maximum connection rate can reach 9.6Gbps.
(5). The TWT (Target Wake-up Time) new technology feature allows the connected device to wake up and go to sleep at any time, reducing the battery drain of the connected device by about 30%.
(6). SRT (Spatial Multiplexing Technology) solves the signal interference caused by cross coverage, which improves its anti-interference ability.
2.Compare differences: WiFi 5 vs. WiFi 6
| Paramater | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Frequency | 5 GHz | 2.4 and 5.0 GHz |
| Bandwidths (channels) | 20, 40, 80+80, 160 MHz | 20, 40, 80+80, 160 MHz |
| Access | OFDM | OFDMA |
| Antennas | MU-MIMO (4 X 4) | MU-MIMO (8 X 8) |
| Modulation | 256QAM | 1024QAM |
| Maximum data rate | 3.5 Gb/s | 9.6 GB/s |
| Maximum users/AP | 4 | 8 |
3.Features and benefits of Cisco Catalyst 9100 WiFi 6 Access Point:
(1). Wi-Fi 6 reduces latency and increases capacity for demanding applications on more devices. We improve on it with programmable RF ASICs. We advance more wireless efficiency with Intelligent Capture, which provides Cisco DNA Center with deep analysis.
(2). The Catalyst 9100 offers multilingual support and application hosting of IoT protocols. In addition, IoT devices (as well as user devices) can see up to three times less energy consumption and more stringent security.
(3). The Catalyst 9100 supports NBASE-T and IEEE 802.3bz Ethernet compatibility to seamlessly offload network traffic without bottlenecks. With Cisco Catalyst switches and Cisco Multigigabit Technology, you can use your Category 5e or 6 cables to achieve speeds up to 10 Gbps.
(4). You can choose an option that is easy to deploy and manage and doesn’t require a physical appliance. Catalyst 9800 Embedded Wireless Controller can be built right into the access point.
4.Why Upgrade to Cisco Catalyst 9100 WiFi 6 Access Point
| Feature | Wi-Fi 3 Cisco® Aironet® Access Points | Wi-Fi 4 Cisco Aironet Access Points | Wi-Fi 5 Cisco Aironet Access Points | Wi-Fi 6 Cisco Catalyst Access Points |
| 1600/2600/3600 Series | 1700/2700/3700 Series | 1800/2800/3800/ 4800 Series | 9100 Series | |
| Maximum data rate | 450 Mbps (3600 Series) |
1.3 Gbps (2700 and 3700 Series) |
5.2 Gbps (2800, 3800 and 4800 APs) |
Up to 9.6 Gbps |
| Cisco DNA Spaces | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cisco Application Visibility and Control (AVC) | No | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Future-ready modularity | 3600 Series only | 3700 Series only | 3800 Series only | No |
| OFDMA | No | No | No | ✓ |
| Target Wake Time | No | No | No | Future |
| Multi gigabit uplink support | No | No | 3800 and 4800 only | ✓ |
| BLE Radio | No | No | 4800 only | ✓ |
| Intelligent Capture | No | No | 2800, 3800 and 4800 APs only | 9130 Series only |
| Cisco High Density Experience (HDX) | No | ✓ | ✓ | Future – on select models |
| Flexible, softwaredefined, dual radios, 5 GHz | No | No | 2800 and 3800 Series only
(4800 has four radios) |
9120 and 9130 Series only |
| Best practices | No | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple FastLane | No | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cisco Jabber®/ Lync SDN API | No | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cisco DNA Center | No | No | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| NetFlow | No | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cisco Stealthwatch | No | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
If you’re interested in Cisco Catalyst 9100 WiFi 6 Access Point, welcome to contact us (cisco@router-switch.com) or order now: Cisco Catalyst 9115, Cisco Catalyst 9117, Cisco Catalyst 9120 and Cisco Catalyst 9130 Series.
Reference from https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/wireless/access-points/benefits-wireless-access-points.html?oid=otren016593
Learn more:
Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Point: Shipped with Wi-Fi 6
