Catalyst 9800 series (C9120AXI-EWC-E) and "ROOT AP" configuration

[yannick P]

Hello Cisco Community,

Is it possible de configure the "C9120AXI-EWC-E" as a ROOT-AP (RAP / Mesh controler)     ?

My previous configuration was :

2 AP1231 (Aronet 1200 series) linked together in WORKGROUP BRIDGE Mode 

>N°1 was a AP1231 in "WGB root with wireless clients"   +     N°2 was a AP1231 in "WGB non-root with wireless clients"

I ordered the C9120AXI-EWC-E to upgrade performance for the N°1 and keep the N°2 just for a lowbandwith bridge .. but i'm my AP1231 to be incompatible (The latest FW is too old and incompatible to recreate a WGB with Catalyst 9800 series)

>so I planned to move to MESH NETWORK .. but most of the source said tha C9120AXI-EWC-E is not  "Root AP / RAP" ready   ?...  strange cause i see "Mesh" in CONFIGURATION ?   

What do you think about ?

Thanks for your support CIsco Community !

yannick

[marce1000]

 - Ref : https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/ewc/17-6/config-guide/ewc_cg_17_6/mesh_access_points.html#Cisco_Concept.dita_a238aeab-face-4371-a6f2-cca2887b7294
      >...The mesh feature is supported only in Cisco Catalyst 9124 series Access Points, for Cisco Embedded Wireless Controllers.

 M.

[Rich R]

Also confirmed in https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/access_point/feature-matrix/ap-feature-matrix.html table 5.

And from 17.12 the 9130 AP is also supported:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/ewc/17-12/config-guide/ewc_cg_17_12/mesh_access_points.html
"From this release, mesh support is included in the Cisco Catalyst 9130AX Series Access Points. All traditional capabilities of mesh are included in the Cisco Catalyst 9130AX Series APs operating in Cisco IOS XE Dublin 17.12.1."

[yannick P]

Thanks Marce1000 & Rich.R for your fastest and accurate replies !

so,

1 / Like the 17.12.1 is incoming for the C9120AXI, it is possible that the MESH MODE could be activated in the future ?

https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286323294/type/286323077/release/17.12.1?i=!pp

2/ Like the "MESH MODE" is not yet supported on my C9120AXI-EWC-E..  can i create a BRIDGE "WGB" instead ?

I read that C9120AXI-EWC-E is WGB ready but it is not so clear for me if it supported as "non root" or root"

I'm searching for :

>AP_C9120AXI-EWC-E in "WGB root with wireless clients" (my master AP)  +     N°2 is "ANOTHER AP (the secondary cheap AP compatible with my FW/IOS .. that i have to buy ) in "WGB non-root with wireless clients"

Thanks for your help Cisco Community !

yannick

[yannick P]

Hello Cisco Support Team

I ordered a C9120AXI-EWC-E and i plan to use a AP in WGB with it

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Cupertino - 17.8.1
Access Point and WiFi6 Features:
AP power save : the controller can now disable some AP radio features to save power.
Workgroup Bridge (WGB) mode is now supported on 9105, 9115 and 9120 access points
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
It seems that the C9105AX is supported for that.

Differents question about this configuration :
What is better if i want to manage everything from my C9120AXI-EWC(Root AP)
=>Have a "Slave AP = RAP = WGB client" : C9105AXI or C9105AXI-EWC
Does the AP will work better together if both are from "Embedded Wirelss Controler" IMAGE ?

C9105AXW have a 2,5GB Ethernet port where the C9105AXI has only 1GB
but AXW accept only to be "subordiante AP"
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/ewc/17-4/rel-notes/ewc-rn-17-4-x.html#Cisco_Concept.dita_4e686689-db5f-464b-8157-92abcfd40028

"Subordinate AP" means it accept only to be a "WGB client" where "Primary AP" could be both : RootAP or ClientAP ?

Thanks for this reply Cisco Team!
yannick

[Rasika Nayanajith]

I am not sure EWC fully supporting Mesh mode.

You can bring up a VM 9800-CL (17.12.x), then deploy your 9120 APs (Flex+Mesh mode) one as RAP & other as MAP with Ethernet Bridge feature enable. 

HTH
Rasika
*** Pls rate all useful responses ***

[yannick P]

Hello Rasika, 

Finally, i forgot the idea to have immediatly a MESH topology (just for a bridge) and i plan to go back to WGB with a supported Catalyst AP in slave (9105AXI)

But .. i get a bad surpise. it's impossible to download any IOS for free .. and downgrade the "9105AXI-EWC-E" to a "CAPAWP AP" (and use the command "ap-type workgroup-bridge in terminal" ..) is not allowed

Impossible to get unlimited IOS download for these 2 Fresh APs ordered 3 weeks ago .. ! (only EWC ios are allowed ..)

Get a smart, powerfull equipement but without full compatibilities immediatly, i can understand .. but pay a service contract for a "Home user" who spend ever 1,5k for 2 APs just for the pleasure to have a tunable AP for the next 7-10 years and get the lateste IOS or bug corrected .. it's just impossible and too expensive .. 

I have to send back these 2 AP so ..

..  no choice

Thanks for your support Rasika and Ciso Teams

yannick