Cisco C9800 Capacity Access Point

[Xibachao1]

Hi all,

We are using Cisco C9800 40 Wireless for our enterprise.

Now it handle around 400 APs. We have plan to deploy more. 

From the manufacturer specification, it's mention up to 2000 AP. But i think WLC C9800 not work smoothly at that point.

So could you please it me some recommendation about safety point to deployment AP which the WLC can handle with the best performance?

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

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@Xibachao1 wrote:
From the manufacturer specification, it's mention up to 2000 AP. But i think WLC C9800 not work smoothly at that point.

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Because of the buggy nature of IOS-XE, the controller will not be stable at scale.  So consider the following: 

1.  Maintain <50% AP capacity, i. e.  If the controller is "meant to" handle 2000 APs, keep it less than 1000 APs. 

2.  Maintain less than <50% client capacity. 

3.  Reboot the APs daily.

4.  SSIDs must either be open or PSK.  Anything fancy like, Dot1x or Web Authentication is not good. 

5.  If there are wireless clients continuously failing to authenticate nonstop, block them out or increase the failed authentication timeout timer.  

6.  Reboot the WLC ever 12 months.  

7.  Make sure all APs are accounted for.  If there are APs joining/leaving the controller constantly, fix it ASAP or take them out of the network. 

[Xibachao1]

Hi @Leo Laohoo ,

noted with thanks.

[Haydn Andrews]

I have had from TAC and the BU for all their WLCs keep AP count below 80% of the data sheet capacity.

I have also been informed this holds for the brand new CW controllers.

[Leo Laohoo]

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@Haydn Andrews wrote:
I have also been informed this holds for the brand new CW controllers.

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@Xibachao1, 

Read what @Haydn Andrews has stated.  

The new CW9800M, H1/H2 have more memory and higher rate CPU than the 9800-40/-80, yet TAC has recommended "80%" scale -- Read between the lines.