topic Re: License need to Join AP to 9800 WLC in Wireless

License need to Join AP to 9800 WLC

rahulnaik — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 15:46:47 GMT

Hi Community,

I am currently using a Cisco 9800-L WLC in my network, where 7 Access Points are already joined and working fine. I would like to add 6 more APs to the same controller.

Could you please confirm whether I need to purchase additional licenses for these APs to join and function properly with the 9800-L hardware?

Re: License need to Join AP to 9800 WLC

MHM Cisco World — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 15:54:41 GMT

No need any license, as I know 9800-L support up to 100 AP without additional license.

MHM

Re: License need to Join AP to 9800 WLC

Mark Elsen — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 16:04:53 GMT

- @rahulnaik Ref : https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/nb-06-cat9800-ser-wirel-faq-ctp-en.html#CiscoCatalyst9800SeriesWirelessControllerlicensing
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Q. Do I need any licenses for the Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers?

A. There are no licenses required to boot up a Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controller.
However, in order to connect any access points to the Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controller, Cisco DNA licenses are required. Each access point that connects to the Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controller requires a Cisco DNA license to be entitled to connect.

Re: License need to Join AP to 9800 WLC

Stefan Mihajlov — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 17:27:20 GMT

@rahulnaik

On the 9800-L, the limit is based on the hardware model — not on adder AP licenses like the older 2504/5508 era. Both the 9800-L-C and 9800-L-F ship with support for up to 250 APs out of the box. There’s no per-AP license to buy anymore; what you need is just the right DNA license (Essentials or Advantage) for each AP, since that covers features and support.

So adding six more APs will work right away on your controller. Just make sure those APs have a valid DNA subscription attached in your Smart Account, but you don’t need to purchase extra controller capacity.

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Best regards,
Stefan Mihajlov

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Re: License need to Join AP to 9800 WLC

Rich R — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 12:46:53 GMT

@rahulnaik short answer: Yes - you must buy a DNA license for each AP.

The AP will be able to join even without licenses but the WLC will show out of compliance which means you are in breach of Cisco licensing conditions.
At present only 9800-CL enforces a limit of 50 APs without a working connection to Smart Licensing but Cisco could change that at any time in future software releases.

For WiFi 7 APs which now use the Cisco Wireless unified license an AP without a license will have some/all radios disabled in forthcoming software releases according to Cisco announcements at Cisco Live and in webinars (although this is apparently still in discussion internally at Cisco to decide on exact behaviour).

Re: License need to Join AP to 9800 WLC

Geeth — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 06:01:19 GMT

Dear Mark,

We can see DNA licenses in WIFI 6 APs when creating estimate, When I create Estimate with WIFI 7 APs, There is no licence for DNA , There are only two types of Licenses.

1. Meraki licenses

2. cisco network subscription

is this licenses are mandotary for the join APs to C9800? or should we add separatly DNA licences?

Re: License need to Join AP to 9800 WLC

Mark Elsen — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 07:56:41 GMT

- @Geeth FYI : https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/wi-fi-7-products-licensing-faq.html