Cisco 2960XR, WLC 5700

[sherif Joseph]

Dear All,

I have a project consists of 18 IDF rooms with 55x48 1G ports Access Switches, 2 x10 G uplinks to each core switch (2xN7k), 270 Wireless Access points.

what is the preferred switch? Cisco 2960-XR was recommanded for access switch, is there any drawbacks for this model?

Cisco controller 5700 will be used, is there any drawbacks?

Thanks and Appreciate you help.

Sherif George

[Leo Laohoo]

270 APs and you want to use 5760?  Wow, that's one very expensive option.  I'd prefer the 5508 because this particular model can support up to 500 APs.

Next question, what is the model of your AP?  This will decide whether or not 2960X is a good choice or not.

[sherif Joseph]

Thanks for ur reply, the APs will be AP1602 and 3600 serious.

[Leo Laohoo]

the APs will be AP1602

Unless you have limited financial budget, I wouldn't recommend AP1600.  My minimum standard is 2600 and my high-end standard is 3700. 

3600 serious.

My question is WHY?  Why the 3600? 

First of all, the AP3600 and the AP3700 has the same price.  Next, although the AP3600 can operate at a minimal 15.4w PoE (without any modules), AP3700, ideally, should be powered with 20.0w.  I say "ideally" because you can operate the AP3700 in 15.4w PoE but at a lower data rate (hence lower speed).  But since you've splurged on the 2960X, then there should be no problem. 

Cisco 2960-XR was recommanded for access switch, is there any drawbacks for this model?

I am currently using 2960S and we are about to start deploying AP3700.  Currently my APs are 1140, 3500 and 3600 and I see no problem with 2960S.  I have a few more questions in regards to the specific 2960XR "sub" model.  This is significant because it will determine if you should consider getting the "full power" variety (model with the "F") or not. 

1.  Will your APs share the same switch with other PoE device?

2.  How are you planning to populate the switch with the AP?

[Rasika Nayanajith]

Hi Sherif

Cisco controller 5700 will be used, is there any drawbacks?

Curently this controller only support local mode AP deployment. I would always recommend this model if your requirement is Local model AP deployment (No Flexconnect, OEAP, etc). This model of WLC having max 60Gbps connectivity to your wired network (in 5508 it is 8Gbps max). In future if you are going to 802.11ac then this WLC model is future proof. Also this WLC models having 1000 AP & 12000 clients compare to 500AP & 7000 client in 5508.

If your requirement is mixed mode deployment where you have branch office AP deployment in FlexConnect mode, then 5508 is the way to go.

HTH

Rasika

**** Pls rate all useful responses ****