if I read this Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller for an AP Data Sheet - Cisco
no license is required
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.
