Is DNA Center mandatory for Embedded WLC on 9300 Switch for a single site deployment?

[AlvaroJaime]

Dear team,

I have read different opinions, however, I have not found a consistent answer.

According to the documents of Cisco. It is mandatory to have a DNA Center appliance in order to deploy the Cisco embedded WLC on a 9300 Switch.

My scenario is the following:

- (8 units) 2800 APs (existing)

Requierement:

- New Switch

- WLC

Proposed design:

- 9300 Switch with DNA Advantage

- DNA advantage licenses for 2800 APs

Is it a must to add a DNA Center appliance to this scenario?

Of course if the answer is yes, there is no enough budget, so we would need to change the solution.

If you have an answer, please help me with the link, in order to understand deeply the explanation,

Regards

Alvaro

[Scott Fella]

The appliance is not necessary. I have a few EWC at home with no DNAc appliance.

[Rasika Nayanajith]

You can't use embedded WLC in 9300 without moving into SDA Wireless. That mean DNA-C comes into play for SDA deployment. 

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/solutions/CVD/Campus/cisco-sda-design-guide.html 

Based on your requirement I do not think you require SDA.

You have two choices

1. Use Mobility Express in 2800 AP and register other APs to it

2. Buy a small controller (9800-L) & 9200 switches, instead of 9300 (as you cannot use embeded wlc functionality of 9300)

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/datasheet-c78-742434.html 

HTH

Rasika

*** Pls rate all useful responses 

[Rich R]

Yep Rasika is right, DNAc is required for SDA and 9300 *only* supports the SDA version of WLC.
From what I've seen the documentation is quite consistent on this but people sometimes assume EWC on 9300 is the same as EWC on other platforms.

Scott - EWC on other platforms is classic WLC not SDA - that's why you don't need DNAc for those.

[Rasika Nayanajith · Accepted solution]

I think our answer has to change now. Starting IOS-XE 17.3.x cisco started supporting embedded wireless controller in non SDA mode for a single site only deployment

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/17-3/config-guide/b_wl_17_3_cg/m_fiab_gui.html 

HTH

Rasika 

[Rich R · Accepted solution]

Indeed - thanks for highlighting that Rasika!
Clearly has limitations and "All the wireless-related configuration has to be done using web UI. "!

[Preston Chilcote]

Need to update this old thread since google thinks it's important.  Embedded WLC on 9300 support (non-SDA) ends after 17.3. It is still supported for SDA deployments with Cisco DNA:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/guide-c07-744299.html