Cisco 9105 APs with Cisco 1600 Aps

[TalhaAnwar]

I have a 14 Cisco 1600 Access points on my network configured with the same SSID and clients are able to roam easily.

Now I want to replace 7 of them with Cisco Catalyst 9105 Access points with embedded wireless LAN controller. One of the 7 Access points will then become the wireless LAN controller.

From what I have read, the 9105 Access Points have the Cisco 9800 WLC embedded in them which comes with Cisco IOS XE. Cisco IOS XE does not support Cisco 1600 APs. I wanted to confirm if Cisco 1600 APs can work with the Embedded wireless controller in the Cisco Catalyst 9105 Access points. If not how do I set things up so that all my clients can still roam freely.

I would appreciate if someone can help me out with this.

[TalhaAnwar]

The model of the Cisco 1600 Aps is AIR-SAP1602E-C-K9.

The Cisco 9105 APs I am planning to add are C9105AXI-EWC-G.

[Flavio Miranda]

Hi

1600 will not join the 9100 WLC. You need to have this APs models.

able below lists all the images and corresponding AP models:

AP Model	Image File Name
AP1815, AP154x	ap1g5
AP180x, AP183x, AP185x	ap1g4
C9115, C9120	ap1g7
C9117	ap1g6
C9130	ap1g6a
AP380x, AP280x, AP156x	ap3g3

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/embedded-wireless-controller-on-catalyst-access-points/215303-embedded-wireless-controller-conversion.html 

[TalhaAnwar]

@Flavio MirandaThank you for your response.

I understand that the 1600s will not be able to join the 9100 WLC. Is it possible to configure the 1600 APs as stand alone in a way that the clients can roam freely without the need to switch to a different SSID.

Also the list that you have provided does not list C9105 APs. I was planning on purchasing 7 C9105 APs with one becoming the controller. Will the other 6 C9105 APs be able to join the WLC?

[Flavio Miranda]

Hi

 About roaming, you need to make sure this AP supports WDS. The Datasheet does not mention it. 

 You can follow this guide.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless-mobility/wireless-lan-wlan/116597-config-wds-radius-00.html#anc9 

WDS is necessary for roaming because all AP partipating, must storage the PMK to speed up the client transference. Otherwise, full authentication will take place and clients will not roam seamslly 

About 9105

9105 support ewlc with minimum 17.4.1

As longas as your APs have this version, they will join. 

C9105AXI-EWC-x

Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst Access Points: Indoor environments, with internal antennas (Regulatory domains: (x = regulatory domain)

Cisco IOS XE Software Release 17.4.1 or later