Cisco AP Selection or WLC Selection

[opsit]

Hello All,

New here and I would like some feedback from all you gurus and experts. I have a Cisco Catalayst 9800 virtual WLC with 50+ Cisco 9120AXI access points on them. Current, I might have some budget to squeeze in some upgrade and the thought that came to me was to get us on Wi-Fi 7.

The new Cisco 9176 and 9178 are of interest but we have never wished to move to Meraki, not that we are against it. I’ve gone through the below documents and kind of in a confusion to make a decision

Wireless 9176 Series Access Points Data Sheet

The new Cisco Wireless Wi-Fi 7 access points create wireless networks for the AI enterprise, bridging the gap between physical and digital experiences.

CW9176I Installation Guide

Since I’m hosting the current WLC 9800 on a VM, I’m paying for VM licensing and then I have pay for AP support too. I would like to weigh my difference if I move to 9176 or 9178 and utilize the full functionality of Meraki Dashboard, Am I better off?

One good thing I noticed is that we could jump to Wi-Fi 7 with this move..

Any suggestions would be good

[Leo Laohoo]

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@opsit wrote:
I have pay for AP support too

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Define "support". 

TAC support (troubleshooting, etc), yes. 

RMA?  No need unless there is budget to splash the cash.

[opsit]

By support I meant software support. Paying for buying Essentials of Advantage licenses and then licenses for VMWare. I can't say I have a heavy budget but I definitely have some room to spare and from memory when quoted, the 9176i's were not too expensive. I'm trying to understand this from standpoint of Purchase price, OPEX, security & ease of access? in this order

[Rich R]

The WiFi 7 APs come with the new Networking Subscription unified license.  This includes the right to use the AP with a controller or Meraki dashboard (now called Cloud management) and you can switch between the two as required - fairly simple to do.  It also includes software support and basic RMA support for the duration of the subscription.  For more details see:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/nb-06-wrles-dna-sub-lic-og-cte-en.html#CiscoNetworkingSubscriptionoverview
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/networking/software/networking-subscription-ds.html
Note that you do not need a license for the controller - but the controller needs a license for each AP from Smart Licensing.  Cisco doesn't currently enforce the AP licenses on the controller (apart from limiting number of APs on 9800-CL) but will soon be introducing full license enforcement - details still to come but likely to be similar to current Meraki behaviour.