Cisco c9105 AXW Controller

[gianlucamicunco]

Hi, I have 2 9105 axw APs.

Searching on the Internet I found that 9105AWX cannot works stand-alone.

What I need to make them work? Controller

[David Ritter]

Yes.  You need a controller of some type.  I would suggest another 9k class AP in EWC mode, say a 9210AXI or cloud based 9800.  I have my one and only 9105AXW, along with the rest of the 181x wall mounts on my AIRos 5520

[gianlucamicunco]

I'm new in Cisco wireless world, can you link me some resources?

Cisco catalyst 9800 wireless controller could be okay?

[gianlucamicunco]

Or any inexpensive controller? My client need to have just that 2 APs

[Scott Fella]

The 9800-L-C is the small version that would work.  If your customer has ESXi or Hyper-V, you can install a 9800-CL.

[gianlucamicunco]

Is AIR-CT5508-12-K9 compatible with c9105axw?

[marce1000]

                        >Is AIR-CT5508-12-K9 compatible with c9105axw?

           - Ref : https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/compatibility/matrix/compatibility-matrix.html 
  No , because the 9105AXW needs at least 8.10.162.0 which the 5508 can not (or no longer) run ,

M.

[Karsten Iwen]

No, that controller is too old for the 9105. I would either go with the suggested 9800-CL if you have a system to run it, or even better, buy a 9105 (without the "W") and use it as the controller (EWC mode). That could be the simplest method.

[gianlucamicunco]

I was looking for a cheap controller. Can you help me?

[marce1000]

                      >...I was looking for a cheap controller. Can you help me?
 The 9800-CL (cloud version) is free for download , but you will need to buy a license for the access point(s) , 

 M.

[gianlucamicunco]

Or can you just explain how to choose a correct/supported one?

I read the link you posted but it's not clear to me. Thanks

[Karsten Iwen]

The 9105W needs a controller with an up to date firmware. The 5508 is very old, same would be with the 2504. If you can get a cheap 3504, that would work but I expect it still to be more expensive than an additional 9105AXI.

[gianlucamicunco]

I think I'll buy 9105AXI. Is there some resources to study controllers? Like compatibilities, firmware, List of outdated controllers etc.

I've read documentations on cisco website but it's very confusing.

Thanks

[Scott Fella]

The website will show you information on all the new 91xx access points and the new 9800 controllers.  That is where you should start, but being new, I think it would be hard for you to decide on really what you want.  This also depends on what you are trying to do and your budget, if you have VMware or Hyper-V in your environment, etc.  Just take a look at the links below to help you with the various EWC models, the smaller 9800-L controllers and the virtual 9800-CL controllers.

Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller for an AP Data Sheet - Cisco

Cisco Catalyst 9800-L Wireless Controller Data Sheet - Cisco

Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL Wireless Controller for Cloud Data Sheet - Cisco