Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers At-a-Glance

At a Glance

Available Languages

Download Options

  • PDF
    (382.2 KB)
    View with Adobe Reader on a variety of devices
Updated:February 3, 2022

Bias-Free Language

The documentation set for this product strives to use bias-free language. For the purposes of this documentation set, bias-free is defined as language that does not imply discrimination based on age, disability, gender, racial identity, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and intersectionality. Exceptions may be present in the documentation due to language that is hardcoded in the user interfaces of the product software, language used based on RFP documentation, or language that is used by a referenced third-party product. Learn more about how Cisco is using Inclusive Language.

Available Languages

Download Options

  • PDF
    (382.2 KB)
    View with Adobe Reader on a variety of devices
Updated:February 3, 2022

Table of Contents

 

 

Built from the ground up for intent-based networking and Cisco DNA, Cisco® Catalyst® 9800 Series Wireless Controllers bring together Cisco IOS® XE Software and Cisco RF excellence to create a best-in-class wireless experience for your evolving and growing organization. These controllers also support the newest Wi-Fi 6E Catalyst 9100 access points.

The Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers are based on an open, programmable architecture with built-in security, streaming telemetry, and rich analytics.

The controllers are always on, are secure, and can be deployed anywhere—three pillars of network excellence that strengthen the network by providing the best wireless experience without compromise, while saving time and money.

      Always on: High availability and seamless software updates, enabled by hot patching, keep your clients and services always on in planned and unplanned events. Bug fixes, access point deployment at multiple sites, network updates, and more can be handled without rebooting the controller or impacting the operation of the networks

      Secure: Wireless infrastructure becomes the strongest first line of defense with Encrypted Traffic Analytics and Cisco Software-Defined Access. The controllers come with built-in security to secure the controller and the network: Secure Boot, runtime defenses, image signing, integrity verification, and hardware authenticity

      Deploy anywhere: Whether your deployment choice is an on-premises solution or a cloud deployment solution, the Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers allow for management and deployment of the controller anywhere

The Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers support open and programmable APIs that enable flexible management and automation of your day-0 to day-N network operations. Model-driven streaming telemetry provides deep insights into your network and client health.

And when you manage your network with Cisco DNA Center, you can begin to take advantage of some truly cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning features. Unfolding AI/ML over your wireless deployment, Cisco DNA Center provides your next step in terms of increased performance, better efficiency and greater cost savings This allows for considerable network improvements in visibility, troubleshooting and even cybersecurity. AI/ML literally turns data into intuition, resulting in time savings and greater efficiency.

Cisco Catalyst 9800-80

Cisco Catalyst 9800-40

Cisco Catalyst 9800-L

Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL for Cloud

Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst Access Points

Cisco Catalyst 9800-80

Cisco Catalyst 9800-40

Cisco Catalyst 9800-L

Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL for Cloud

Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst Access Points

The Cisco Catalyst 9800-80 is our leading modular wireless controller, supporting up to 6000 access points and 64,000 clients.

The Cisco Catalyst 9800-40 is ideal for midsize organizations and campus deployments. It supports up to 2000 access points and 32,000 clients.

The Cisco Catalyst 9800-L is created for small to medium-sized campus deployments and distributed branches. It supports up to 250 access points and 5000 clients.

The Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL is the next generation of enterprise-class virtual wireless controllers, built for high availability and security.

The Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst Access Point puts control right on the AP, delivering a cost-effective Wi-Fi 6 network that is easy-to-deploy and manage without a dedicated physical appliance. It is best for distributed enterprises or organizations that want to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 with minimal IT resources. Just answer a few simple questions using the web UI or mobile application and your wireless network is up and running. Powered by IOS XE, the embedded wireless controller adds another choice to the Catalyst 9800 wireless controller family’s deployment options and provides a clear upgrade path as your network needs grow.

Supports up to 80 Gbps throughput and occupies 2RU rack space.

Supports up to 40 Gbps throughput and occupies 1RU rack space.

Supports 5 Gbps throughput and occupies only 1RU.

Multiple scale options to meet the needs of your branch and campus network deployments.

Investment protection with a variety of optional modular uplink choices: 1GE, 10GE, 40GE, and 100GE to scale with your enterprise.

A highly scalable, service-rich, resilient, and flexible platform that runs the Cisco IOS XE operating system, supporting a rich set of open, programmable APIs to provide a standard and easy way to orchestrate its functions.

Employing many of the same features that the other Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series controllers provide, but in a smaller footprint, the 9800-L offers the same resilience, security, and intelligence. It runs the Cisco IOS XE operating system and supports a rich set of open, programmable interfaces.

The Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL for Private Cloud is available in VMware ESXi, KVM, and Cisco Enterprise Network Compute System (ENCS) and supports up to 6000 access points and 64,000 clients.

Built on the Cisco IOS XE operating system, which offers a rich set of open standards-based programmable APIs and model-driven telemetry.

Fully interoperable with AireOS controllers and 802.11ac Wave 1 and Wave 2 access points.

Fully interoperable with AireOS controllers and 802.11ac Wave 1 and Wave 2 access points.

The Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL for Public Cloud is available on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and supports Cisco FlexConnect® with up to 6000 access points and 64,000 clients.

The EWC supports up to 100 access points and 2,000 wireless clients.

Fully interoperable with AireOS controllers and 802.11ac Wave 1 and Wave 2 access points.

 

 

Built on the Cisco IOS XE operating system, which offers a rich set of open standards-based programmable APIs and model-driven telemetry.

Since the EWC uses Catalyst 9800 code, it’s easy to migrate your network as your needs grow.

Link to Data Sheet

Link to Data Sheet

Link to Data Sheet

Link to Data Sheet

Link to Data Sheet

Next generation of infrastructure products

Our new Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series wireless controllers are the next generation of wireless infrastructure products, built from the ground up for intent-based networking. They are designed to take advantage of Cisco Digital Network Architecture (Cisco DNA) and Cisco SD-Access. An open and programmable operating system provides flexibility of management and automation. The Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series is also the first in the line to offer flexible deployment and unprecedented scale options to meet the needs of your growing organization.

Cisco Services

Effectively migrate, adopt, securely manage, and accelerate deployment of Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers with Cisco Services. Our experts and full lifecycle of advisory, implementation, optimization, technical, managed, and training services help you transition to advanced mobility solutions while helping ensure the reliability and security of your wireless network for desired business outcomes.

Learn more about Cisco Services at https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/wireless/service-listing.html.

To learn more about the Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers, https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/index.html.

 

 

 

Learn more