9105AXi-E vs 9105AXi-EWC-E

[Kingsleyizuka]

Hello,

The cisco c9105AXI-E is a controller based AP while the 9105AXi-EWC-E has an embedded wireless controller. Does the 9800 WLC require software subscription/license for each AP connected to it and does 9105AXi-EWC or any other embedded wireless controller require software subscription/license?

Thanks.

[kubn2]

Hello,

You need a license for every AP that joined the controller because it will connect to Smart Licensing to verify licensing of the AP that joined this WLC. Every joined AP will consume 1 AIR Network License and 1 AIR DNA License.

EWC is more complicated so I will copy-paste the answer:

Q.  What are the licensing requirements for the Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst Access Points?
A.   Licensing requirements for the EWC depend on a customer’s use case. Use cases can be:
1.     A Cisco DNA subscription license is not required if a customer wants to manage Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst Access Points using the smart dashboard or a mobile app. The Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst Access Points purchased without a Cisco DNA subscription can run perpetually in Network Essentials mode.

2.     A Cisco DNA subscription is required if a customer has a distributed deployment and wants to manage multiple EWC networks from Cisco DNA Center for automation and assurance, or if they are interested in advance resiliency features (such as SMU, APSP, and APDP). Every access point that connects to Cisco DNA Center requires a Cisco DNA license.

Source: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/q-and-a-c67-743152.html

[Kingsleyizuka]

There are other supported wireless controllers for c9105AXI-E as shown below:

supported wireless LAN controllers: 

Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers

Cisco 3504, 5520, and 8540 Wireless Controllers and Cisco Virtual Wireless Controller

Will 3504, 5520 or 8540 require license per AP?

[Kingsleyizuka]

Also, is it possible to upgrade the c9105axi-e IOS from lightweight mode, which is the default, to ewc IOS in order to enable the use of the device without an additional appliance/WLC?

Thanks.

[Scott Fella]

You can have those AP’s join an AireOS controller as long as you have the image that is supported. Those controllers have right to use license, so it’s recommended that you purchase license unless you have availability.
Now for EWC, as long as you have support and can download the image, you can convert the ap and also upgrade the image if need be. The 9800-CL is a free download and you can spin that up in ESXI or Hyper-V if you want.
There are other threads on the forum in regards to converting the 9105’s so search the forum. To find out compatibility info in what code works with what ap and controller, look at the compatibility matrix.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/compatibility/matrix/compatibility-matrix.html

[Kingsleyizuka]

The document is a bit ambiguous as to whether c9105AXI-x is EWC-capable. Obviously, c9105AXI-EWC-x is EWC capable.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/ewc/17-5/rel-notes/ewc-rn-17-5-x.html

It seems the ONLY method of deploying c9105AXI-x is with any of the supported controller i.e. Cisco 3504, 5520, 8540 Wireless Controllers, Cisco Virtual Wireless Controller and Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers, unless, something wasn't understood.

Thank you.

[Scott Fella]

The 9100’s can be converted by using the documented process. Any capwap 9100 can be converted to EEC and vice versa.

[Rich R]

Exactly as Scott said - EWC just runs different software on the AP, there's no difference in the hardware.  The product ID you order just determines what software is pre-installed on the AP at the factory - CAPWAP (controller based) or 9800 IOS-XE EWC.

[unitron79 · Accepted solution]

Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller for an AP Data Sheet - Cisco

Licensing

Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst Access Points licensing is dependent on each customer’s specific use case.

Use case A: The Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC) can be used for small deployments where EWC is only managed using the smart dashboard or mobile app. For this use case, a Cisco DNA subscription license and Smart Licensing is not required for any access point connecting to the EWC.

Use case B: The Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC) can be used for distributed office deployments with a need to manage multiple EWC networks from a centralized manager. For this use case, a Cisco DNA subscription license and Smart Licensing is required. This enables the customer to use Cisco DNA Center for automation and assurance, or if they are interested in advance resiliency features (such as Software Maintenance Updates (SMU), AP Service Pack (APSP), or AP Device Pack (APDP)).

If you’re not sure what Smart Licensing is or need more information, visit the Smart Licensing page. This provides ease of use for Cisco DNA license management, consumption, and tracking. It includes vastly simplified perpetual base network licenses (both Network Essentials and Advantage) and term-based software subscription licenses (Cisco DNA Essentials, Advantage, and Premier). The Cisco DNA software subscription licenses, in addition to on-box capabilities, also unlock additional functionality in Cisco DNA Center, enabling controller-based software-defined automation and assurance in your network. In order to connect any access points to the embedded wireless controller, Cisco DNA software subscription licenses are required. Subscription licenses are purchased when a customer buys an access point.

The Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst Access Points supports three types of Cisco DNA software subscription: Cisco DNA Essentials, Cisco DNA Advantage, and Cisco DNA Premier. These licenses provide Cisco innovations on the access point and are bundled with the Network Essentials and Network Advantage perpetual licensing options, which cover wireless fundamentals such as 802.1X authentication, Quality of Service (QoS), Plug and Play (PnP), etc., plus telemetry and visibility, Stateful Switchover (SSO), and security controls. Cisco DNA subscription licenses are purchased for a 3-, 5-, or 7-year subscription term. Upon expiration of the Cisco DNA software subscription license, the Cisco DNA features will expire, whereas the Network Essentials or Network Advantage features will remain in effect.

Note that it is not required to deploy Cisco DNA Center just to use one of the above packages. Refer to https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/products/collateral/software/one-wireless-subscription/q-and-a-c67-739601.pdf for additional details about the Network Essentials and Advantage packages.

For information about feature support, please refer to the Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points Release Notes.