Overview of Cisco CW9800L

The Cisco CW9800L is a versatile hardware platform that can operate as one of two operation modes:

  • Wireless Controller: Functions as a next-generation, low-scale wireless controller that provides a significant boost in performance and features versus the previous model. In this mode, the CW9800L controller supports up to 10 Gbps throughput, 500 APs, and 10,000 clients, and runs Cisco IOS XE Wireless Controller firmware.

  • Campus Gateway: Operates as a Cloud-managed solution for centralized wireless deployments in small campuses. In this mode, the CW9800L controller supports up to 10 Gbps throughput, 500 APs, and 10,000 clients, and runs Cisco IOS XE Wireless Controller firmware, running Cisco IOS XE Campus Gateway firmware.

The hardware specifications are identical between the two personas; the operational differences are determined by the software and configuration.

When deployed as a Wireless Controller, the CW9800L is ideal for on-prem managed wireless for small-to-medium sized campus deployments or medium-to-large remote sites or branch deployments. A single CW9800L can be installed in a standalone deployment, or two CW9800L units can be deployed for high availability.

For more information about features and benefits, see the Cisco CW9800L Wireless Controller Data Sheet.

When deployed as Campus Gateway, the CW9800L targets cloud-managed, centralized wireless deployments for small-to-medium sized campus deployments or medium-to-large sized remote sites or branch deployments. A single CW9800L can be installed in a standalone deployment, or two CW9800L units can be deployed for high availability.

For more information about the features and benefits of the Campus Gateway operation, see the Cisco Campus Gateway Data Sheet

Figure 1. Cisco CW9800L hardware platform

Summary of Cisco CW9800L Hardware Platform features

Table 1. Cisco CW9800L features

Feature

Description

Chassis Height

One rack-unit (1RU)

Throughput

Up to 10 Gbps

Number of APs supported

500

Number of clients supported

10,000

Memory Options

Bulk Flash: 32GB on-board pSLC eMMC (with optional eUSB support)

Redundancy, Service Ports

1x 1GE Cu Service/Management port

Data Ports

1x 1G/10G Fiber (SFP+)

Storage Temperature

–13° F to 158° F (–25° C to 70° C)

Operating Temperature

0° C to 40° C standard, 0° C to 50° C short-term (sea level)

Note

 

The maximum temperature is derated by 1.0° C for every 1000 ft (305 m) of altitude above sea level.

Storage Humidity

0% to 95% RH non-condensing

Operating Humidity

5% to 90% RH non-condensing

Operational Altitude

0 to 10,000 ft (3048m) at 30° C

Power Adapter

110W single 12V output adapter (C9800-AC-110W)

Note

The CW-ACC-MEM-32G 32GB memory module is an optional component that can only be ordered alongside the Cisco CW9800L (when ordered as a Wireless Controller) and cannot be added or ordered separately afterward. If your unit includes this optional memory module and requires a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA), it is essential to remove the CW-ACC-MEM-32G module before returning the WLC to the depot. The replacement unit you receive from the RMA depot will not contain a memory module. Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) will provide guidance during this removal process.

Platform Components

Cisco CW9800L front panel

Figure 2. Cisco CW9800L front panel view
Table 2. Cisco CW9800L front panel components

1

Service Port (SP) (RJ-45) for out-of-band management (for WLC operation) and accessing the local status page (for Campus Gateway Operation)

2

Redundancy Port (RP) (RJ-45)

Note

 

The redundancy ports can be connected back-to-back or via an L2 switch.

3

CPU console port, which is an RJ-45 RS-232 and micro-B USB serial console port. The default serial port settings are 9600, N, 8, 1. The boot-loader supports baud rates of 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, and 115200. A default baud-rate recovery mechanism is not available; however, the bootloader ensures that the stored baud rate setting matches one of the allowed values before setting the baud rate. If a nonstandard value is detected, the baud rate will default to 9600.

Micro-B USB serial connection takes precedence over RJ-45 when both connections are made.

Note

 

If the Micro-B USB console port is used, the CPU console port that supports RJ-45 connector is ignored. That is, only one of the two ports are ever active.

Note

 

The RJ-45 and micro-B USB console port are disabled for Campus Gateway operation.

4

CPU console port, which is an RJ-45 RS-232 and micro-B USB serial console port. The default serial port settings are 9600, N, 8, 1. The boot-loader supports baud rates of 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, and 115200. A default baud-rate recovery mechanism is not available; however, the bootloader ensures that the stored baud rate setting matches one of the allowed values before setting the baud rate. If a nonstandard value is detected, the baud rate will default to 9600.

Micro-B USB serial connection takes precedence over RJ-45 when both connections are made.

Note

 

If you connect both the Micro USB console port and the CPU console port, then USB port takes precedence and the CPU console port is ignored as only one of the two ports are ever active.

Note

 

The RJ-45 and micro-B USB console port are disabled for Campus Gateway operation.

5

Type C 3.0 USB port used to perform software updates in addition to already available transfer mode, namely HTTP, TFTP, FTP, and SFTP.

Note

 

The Type C 3.0 USB port is disabled for Campus Gateway operation.

6

1x1/10G SFP+ ports. This port supports speeds of 1G and 10G.

7

Reset button

  • Pushing the Reset button for less than 10 seconds reloads the CW9800L.

  • Pushing the Reset button for more than 10 seconds erases the startup configuration in NVRAM of the CW9800L and puts it into Day-0 mode.

8

System LED that displays power-up and boot status.

9

Alarm LED indicates alarm staus or error states. The status or error is posted on the console screen (for wireless controller operation only).

10

High Availability LED that indicates status of High Availability link (for wireless controller operation only).

11

RFID stores identification information about the unit that can be accessed with a reader (for wireless controller operation only).

Front panel LEDs: definitions of states

Table 3. System LED indicators (Wireless Controller operation)

Color

Description

Green

IOS has boot complete

Blinking Green

IOS boot in progress

Amber

System crash

Blinking amber

Secure boot failure

Off

ROMMON boot
Table 4. System LED indicators (Campus Gateway operation)

Color

Description

Rainbow

 The device is initializing and trying to connect to the internet and Meraki Cloud

Orange

 The device cannot find an uplink

Flashing White

 The device is updating to the latest firmware
White The device is online and fully operational
Red The device is in an alarm state due to a problem with the fan, power supply, or storage
Table 5. Alarm LED indicators

Color

Description

Amber

ROMMON boot and system boot up

Blinking amber

Temperature error and secure boot failure

Slow blink amber

Booted with high availability standby

Fast blink amber

High availability maintenance
Table 6. High availability LED indicators (Wireless Controller operation)

Color

Description

Green

High availability active

Blinking Green

High availability standby

Solid amber

Peer not found

Slow blinking amber

Booted with high availablity standby cold

Fast blink amber

High availability maintenance

Off

High availability disable
Table 7. SFP LED indicators (Wireless Controller and Campus Gateway operation)

Color

Description

Solid green

Indicates the signal detected and enabled by software

Solid amber

Indicates the loss of signal

Off

Not configured and enabled by software
Table 8. Port LED indicators

Color

Description

Solid green

Indicates link

Flashing green

Indicates activity

Note

  • The Cisco CW9800L hardware platform has an external power adapter.

  • For Wireless Controller operation, the Alarm Bell LED is illuminated red, if the 10-G uplink ports are not connected to the switch. This does not mean a system or hardware failure. When the interfaces are disabled in the controller, the red light remains off even when the controller is not connected.

  • For complete Campus Gateway operation, onboarding, and troubleshooting information, please refer to the Meraki documentation at https://documentation.meraki.com.

CW9800L rear panel

Figure 3. Cisco CW9800L rear panel view
Table 9. Cisco CW9800L rear panel components

1

Attachment slot for Kensington style cable lock.

2

Connection point for external 110W, single output 12VDC power adapter (C9800-AC-110W) or optional redundant power supply (CW9800L-RPS=).