topic Re: I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP. in Wireless

I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP(CW9176I).

Puncturing — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 23:25:59 GMT

Hello.
I have a question.

I purchased a CW9176I (configuration management from the cloud).
I conducted a simple test before delivering it to the customer.

I connected 200 virtual wireless devices to the AP(Radio2),
but only about 150 could be connected. 50 could not be connected.

Has anyone else had the same experience?

Please advise.

AP settings

WPA2 Personal
802.11w enabled
DHCP server used (bridge)
VLAN tag 10

Virtual wireless terminal settings
WPA and WPA2 Personal

Thank you .

Re: I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP.

mloraditch — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:22:58 GMT

While that number falls well within the theoretical maximum, it's well above any recommendation I've seen for actual usage. I've usually seen and experienced 30-50 as the max, depending on the AP type. The 9172 is a the smallest capacity WiFi7 AP and only a 2x2 radio. If you actually need to support that many clients on a single AP, I'd be looking at the 9176 or 9178 for testing.

Re: I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP.

Raphael_L — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:55:27 GMT

There is probably a max assoc limit on the AP.

Re: I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP.

Puncturing — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 01:03:26 GMT

Thank you for your prompt response.
Sorry, the AP we purchased was the CW9176I.

The specifications state that each radio can handle 400 devices (1,200 devices total for 3 radios).

How many wireless terminals can be connected to this AP per unit?

(The specifications state 400 units.)

I'm a beginner. Sorry.

Re: I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP.

Puncturing — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 01:08:32 GMT

Thank you for your prompt response.

Sorry. The AP we purchased was the CW9176I.

The specifications state that each radio can handle 400 devices (1,200 devices total for 3 radios).
Is it unreasonable to connect 200 wireless terminals to the CW9176I?

How many wireless terminals can be connected to each AP?

I'm a beginner. Sorry.

Re: I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP.

aleabrahao — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 01:13:25 GMT

This is the theoretical quantity; in practice, a maximum of 50 clients is recommended. Don't trust the datasheet; it's an illusionary number to deceive the buyer.

Cisco’s design guides generally recommend no more than ~50–75 active clients per 5 GHz radio for stable performance, even though the hardware can technically support more.

Re: I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP(CW9176I).

Puncturing — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 02:05:58 GMT

~~Thank you for your prompt reply.~~
~~I will refer to it.~~

Re: I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP.

Puncturing — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 02:08:48 GMT

Hi @alessandrodematos

Thank you for your prompt reply.
I will refer to it.

Re: I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP(CW9176I).

BlakeRichardson — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 02:27:34 GMT

Wow that is far too many clients for a single AP to be usable let alone reliable. I would say 50 clients absolute maximum.

The datasheet I checked makes no mention of 400 clients.

https://documentation.meraki.com/MR/MR_Overview_and_Specifications/CW9176I_%2F%2F_CW9176D1_Datasheet

Re: I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP.

Raphael_L — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 02:44:12 GMT

If you had exactly 150 max clients connected that's a hard limit that was coded. If it is anything else like a odd number eg 153 then it's probably not a hard limit.

But something like 50,75,100,150 sounds like a max assoc limit to me.

Others are right , even tho the max assoc limit is high ( 100,150,200 ) in reality you never want to get close to these numbers

Re: I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP.

Puncturing — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 03:20:16 GMT

Hi @Raphletourn

Thank you for your kind response.I will refer to it.

Re: I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP(CW9176I).

aleabrahao — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 10:42:35 GMT

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/access_point/technical-reference/cw9176-dg.html

Re: I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP(CW9176I).

Rasmus Hoffmann Birkelund — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 11:50:30 GMT

Whether or not an AP is spec'ed to support 400 clients per radio, this would be a very poor choice of requirement to design around. You should not design your wireless network around a theoretical maximum of clients supported per radio.

https://documentation.meraki.com/MR/Wi-Fi_Basics_and_Best_Practices/Understanding_Wireless_Performance_and_Coverage

https://documentation.meraki.com/Architectures_and_Best_Practices/Cisco_Meraki_Best_Practice_Design/Best_Practice_Design_-_MR_Wireless/High_Density_Wi-Fi_Deployments

Re: I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP(CW9176I).

Rasmus Hoffmann Birkelund — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 11:57:40 GMT

If I remember correctly, I even think that Jim Florwick mentions in his session from Cisco Live that they can put the AP in a specific mode, which will allow that many clients. But it's only something Cisco can do, and is done for performance testing purposes.

https://www.ciscolive.com/on-demand/on-demand-library.html?search=advanced%20rf%20tuning#/session/1750271942414001zu14

Topic aside, watch his session. It's fantastic.

Re: I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP(CW9176I).

Puncturing — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 23:08:38 GMT

Hi @Raphletourn @alessandrodematos

Thank you for your cooperation in the investigation.

Re: I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP(CW9176I).

Puncturing — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 23:43:30 GMT

@Rasmus Hoffmann Birkelund

Set the client association limit from WLC?
It doesn't seem possible to change that setting from the cloud.

Thank you for the information.

Re: I tried connecting multiple virtual clients to the AP(CW9176I).

Rasmus Hoffmann Birkelund — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 04:53:28 GMT

I'm curious at how do you create that many virtual clients? Boot up 400 VMs, and connect them to a wireless network?