Aironet 1815i joining Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller on 9115XI-EWC

[asayeed07]

Hello All,

We have a deployment of 6 AIR-AP1815I-E-K9 APs and AIR-CT2504-K9 WLC. Need to replace the WLC as it is out of support now and I was looking at Catalyst 9115AXI-EWC.
Our Cisco distributor says the APs should be able to join the embedded wireless LAN controller but they will require Cisco DNA licence. But the Catalyst EWC licensing and ordering section says, "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." https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/q-and-a-c67-743152.html 

We don't want DNA subscription as it is a small and single location deployment. Could someone please confirm if 1815i APs will be able to join the Catalyst EWC on 9115AXI-EWC-E without DNA subscription?

Thank you in advance.
Abu

[marce1000 · Accepted solution]

 - They will be able to join without DNA subscription : https://community.cisco.com/t5/wireless/c9120axi-e-ewc-license/m-p/4446339#M232033

 M.

[asayeed07]

Thank you very much.

[Rich R]

@MarceP is correct - your distributor should select
"E9115AX-DNA-OPTOUT    Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller OPTOUT for C9115AX"

when ordering the 9115 and no need to buy DNA licenses for the existing 1815i APs.

[asayeed07]

Thanks Rich.

I knew the SKU for DNA optout but I was confused as the distributor said we'd need DNA for the 1815i APs to join the EWC.

Kind Regards
Abu