Recently, WiFi 6 devices are very hot in the market. Many manufacturers produce WiFi 6 devices, including WiFi 6 routers, WiFi 6 access points, etc.
Here is a quick introduction of WiFi 6. Get to know it in 2 minutes.
Cisco, as one of the biggest networking hardware manufactures, it released its WiFi 6 AP last year and increased models according to the needs. Now we can find there are 5 models of Catalyst 9100 WiFi 6 series. They are C9105, C9115, C9117, C9120 and C9130. All of them are WiFi 6 access points, but what’s difference?
Cisco® Catalyst® 9105 Series Access Points are the most versatile next generation access point in enterprise grade. They are resilient, secure, and intelligent. Key Features:
- Three radios: 2.4GHz (2×2), 5GHz (2×2), and BLE/IoT
- OFDMA and MU-MIMO support
- Ceiling-mount and wall-mount models (Catalyst 9105i and Catalyst 9105w)
- Wi-Fi 6 certified
Cisco Catalyst 9115 Series Access Points are enterprise-class products that will address your current and future needs. They are the first step to updating your network to take better example of all of the features and benefits that Wi-Fi 6 provides. Key Features:
- Wi-Fi 6 certifiable
- Three radios: 2.4 GHz (4×4), 5 GHz (4×4), and BLE
- OFDMA and MU-MIMO
- Multigigabit support
- Internal or external antenna
- Available with optional embedded wireless controller
The Cisco Catalyst 9117 Access Points deliver several features of Wi-Fi 6 while offering high data rates. Key features:
- Wi-Fi 6 compatible
- Three radios: 2.4 GHz (4×4), 5 GHz (8×8), and BLE
- OFDMA and MU-MIMO
- Multigigabit support
- Internal antenna
- Available with optional embedded wireless controller
Catalyst 9120 Series Access Points, paired with Cisco DNA, are enterprise-class products that will address your current and future needs. These access points are the first step in updating your network and are able to take better advantage of all of the features and benefits that Wi-Fi 6 provides. Key features:
- Wi-Fi 6 certifiable
- Four radios: 5 GHz (4×4) Flexible radio with 2.4 or 5 GHz (4×4), Unified RF Engine, ZIgbeee, and other multiprotocol 802.15.4 devices
- IoT ready (BLE, Zigbee, and other multiprotocol 802.15.4 devices)
- OFDMA and MU-MIMO
- Multigigabit support
- Internal, external antenna and also external antenna for professional installations
- Available with optional embedded wireless controller
Cisco Catalyst 9130 Series Access Points, paired with the Cisco Digital Network Architecture (Cisco DNA), are enterprise-class products that will address both your current and future needs. They are the first step in updating your network to take better advantage of all of the features and benefits that Wi-Fi 6 provides. Key features:
- Wi-Fi 6 certified, supporting 802.11ax on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
- Up to four Wi-Fi radios: 5GHz flexible radio (single 8×8 or dual 4×4), 2.4GHz (4×4) and Cisco RF ASIC
- IoT ready (BLE, other 802.15.4 protocols like Zigbee)
- OFDMA and MU-MIMO
- Multigigabit support
- Internal and external antenna
C9105 vs. C9115 vs. C9117 vs. C9120 vs. C9130
Table 2 shows the comparison of Cisco Catalyst 9100 WiFi 6 Access Points.
| Model | C9105 | C9115 | C9117 | C9120 | C9130 |
| Part numbers | Cisco Catalyst 9105AX Access Point: Indoor environments, with internal antennas
● C9105AXI-x: Cisco Catalyst 9105 Series Cisco Catalyst 9105AX Access Point: Wall Plate, with internal antennas ● C9105AXW-x: Cisco Catalyst 9105 Series Cisco Catalyst 9105AX Teleworker Access Point: Indoor environments, with internal antennas ● C9105AXIT-x: Cisco Catalyst 9105 Series Regulatory domains: (x = regulatory domain) |
Cisco Catalyst 9115AXI Access Point: Indoor environments, with internal antennas
● C9115AXI-x: Cisco Catalyst 9115 Series Cisco Catalyst 9115AXE Access Point: Indoor, challenging environments, with external antennas ● C9115AXE-x: Cisco Catalyst 9115 Series Cisco Catalyst 9115AXI Access Point: Indoor environments, with internal antennas, with embedded wireless controller ● C9115AXI-EWC-x: Cisco Catalyst 9115 Series Cisco Catalyst 9115AXE Access Point: Indoor, challenging environments, with external antennas, with embedded wireless controller ● C9115AXE-EWC-x: Cisco Catalyst 9115 Series Regulatory domains: (x = regulatory domain) |
Cisco Catalyst 9117AXI Access Point: Indoor environments, with internal antennas
● C9117AXI-x: Cisco Catalyst 9117 Cisco Catalyst 9117AXI Access Point: Indoor environments, with internal antennas, with embedded wireless controller ● C9117AXI-EWC-x: Cisco Catalyst 9117 Regulatory domains: (x = regulatory domain) |
Cisco Catalyst 9120AXI Access Point: Indoor environments, with internal antennas
● C9120AXI-x: Cisco Catalyst 9120AX Series Cisco Catalyst 9120AXE Access Point: Indoor, challenging environments, with external antennas ● C9120AXE-x: Cisco Catalyst 9120AX Series Cisco Catalyst 9120AXP Access Point: Indoor, professional installations ● C9120AXP-x: Cisco Catalyst 9120AX Series Cisco Catalyst 9120AXI Access Point: Indoor environments, with internal antennas, with embedded wireless controller ● C9120AXI-EWC-x: Cisco Catalyst 9120AX Series Cisco Catalyst 9120AXE Access Point: Indoor, challenging environments, with external antennas, with embedded wireless controller ● C9120AXE-EWC-x: Cisco Catalyst 9120AX Series Cisco Catalyst 9120AXP Access Point: Indoor, professional installations, with embedded wireless controller ● C9120AXP-EWC-x: Cisco Catalyst 9120AX Series Regulatory domains: (x = regulatory domain) |
Cisco Catalyst 9130AXI Access Point: Indoor environments, with internal antennas
● C9130AXI-x: Cisco Catalyst 9130 Series Cisco Catalyst 9130AXE Access Point: Challenging indoor environments, with external antennas ● C9130AXE-x: Cisco Catalyst 9130 Series Regulatory domains: (x = regulatory domain) |
| Supported wireless LAN controllers | ● Cisco Catalyst 9800-80 , Catalyst 9800-40 Series Wireless Controllers
● Cisco 3504, 5520, and 8540 Wireless Controllers and Cisco Virtual Wireless Controller |
● Cisco Catalyst 9800-80 , Catalyst 9800-40 Series Wireless Controllers
● Cisco 3504, 5520, and 8540 Wireless Controllers and Cisco Virtual Wireless Controller |
● Cisco Catalyst 9800-80 , Catalyst 9800-40 Series Wireless Controllers
● Cisco 3504, 5520, and 8540 Wireless Controllers and Cisco Virtual Wireless Controller |
● Cisco Catalyst 9800-80 , Catalyst 9800-40 Series Wireless Controllers
● Cisco 3504, 5520, and 8540 Wireless Controllers and Cisco Virtual Wireless Controller |
● Cisco Catalyst 9800-80 , Catalyst 9800-40 Series Wireless Controllers
● Cisco 3504, 5520, and 8540 Wireless Controllers and Cisco Virtual Wireless Controller |
| 802.11ax | Support | Support | Support | Support | Support |
| Interfaces | Catalyst 9105AXW
● 1x 100/1000/2500 Base-T (Ethernet) Uplink Interface ● 3x 10/100/1000 Base-T (Ethernet) Downlink Interface (LAN1,LAN2 and LAN3, LAN1 supports 10.5W PSE Power Budget) ● Management console port (RJ-45) ● USB 2.0 at 4.5W ● Passthru Port Catalyst 9105AXI ● 1x 10/100/1000 Base-T (Ethernet) Uplink Interface ● Management console port (RJ-45) |
● 1x 100, 1000, 2500 Multigigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) – IEEE 802.3bz
● Management console port (RJ-45) ● USB 2.0 (enabled via future software) |
● 1x 100, 1000, 2500, 5000 Multigigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) – IEEE 802.3bz
● Management console port (RJ-45) ● USB 2.0 with up to 4.5W (enabled via future software) |
● 1x 100, 1000, 2500 Multigigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) – IEEE 802.3bz
● Management console port (RJ-45) ● USB 2.0 @ 3.75W (enabled via future software) |
● 1x 100, 1000, 2500, 5000 Multigigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) – IEEE 802.3bz
● Management console port (RJ-45) ● USB 2.0 at 4.5W (enabled via future software) |
| Dimensions
(W x L x H) |
● Access point (without mounting brackets):
◦ C9105AXW: 3.54 x 6.3 x 1.3 in. (90 x 160 x 32.66 mm) ◦ C9105AXI: 5.9 x 5.9 x 1.18 in. (150 x 150 x 30 mm) |
● Access point (without mounting brackets):
C9115I: 8.0 x 8.0 x 1.5 in. (20.3 x 20.3 x 3.8 cm), C9115E: 8.0 x 8.0 x 1.7 in. (20.3 x 20.3 x 4.3 cm) |
● Access point (without mounting bracket and mounting features): 8.70 x 8.70 x 1.94 in. (22 x 22 x 4.93 cm)
● Access point (without mounting bracket): 8.70 x 8.70 x 2.19 in. (22 x 22 x 5.56 cm) |
● Access point (without mounting brackets): C9120I: 8.5 x 8.5 x 1.7 (21.6 x 21.6 x 4.3 cm),
C9120E and C9120P: 8.5 x 8.05x 2.0 (21.6 x 21.6 x 5.1 cm) |
● Access point (without mounting brackets):
◦ C9130AXI: 8.9 x 8.9 x 1.88 in. (22.6 x 22.6 x 4.8 cm) ◦ C9130AXE: 9.17 x 9.17 x 1.58 in. (23.3 x 23.3 x 4.0 cm) |
If you have different opinion about the model comparison of Catalyst 9100, welcome to leave your comment.
Related Topics:
Why Upgrade to Cisco Catalyst 9100 WiFi 6 Access Point?
4 x 4 MU-MIMO APs And Enterprise Wi-Fi 6 Networks
Buyer Guide: 4 Misunderstandings when choosing an Access Point
