Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series models

[Rene MUGIRANEZA]

Greetings;

I am planning to purchase Cisco Catalyst 9000 series switch (to replace Cisco 3850 with wireless features), but I am a bit confused about the models of 9000 series. I saw Catalyst 9200, 9300, 9400 Series switches, etc... The switch I want is for small to large campus access deployments.

1. Which model of this series that can be configured as Wireless Controller?

1.1. If yes, what is its latest IOS that support this feature of being wireless controller?

2. What license types are required for that model that support wireless features?

Any helpful information for Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series will be appreciated

Thank you.

[Seb Rupik]

Hi there,

The c9000 range does not offer an converged access solution like the 3850 did.

You need to look at the dedicated c9800:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/index.html#~benefits

To navigate the c9000 range take a look at the switch selector:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/switch-selector.html

The only lightweight WLC option would be the embedded C9100 APs:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/nb-o6-embded-wrls-cont-ds-cte-en.html

cheers,

Seb.

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

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@Rene MUGIRANEZA wrote:

1. Which model of this series that can be configured as Wireless Controller?

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9200, 9300 & 9400 can be configured as a WLC, HOWEVER, you will need DNAc.  DNAc is mandatory.

[Rene MUGIRANEZA]

Greetings;

Thank you for the feedback;

Is Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series has the features of being configured as wireless controller as well as being a switch? If yes which model in that series?
If yes, what is its latest IOS that support this feature of being wireless controller?
What license types are required for that model that support wireless features?

Thank you!

[Scott Fella]

I would suggest you look at the 9800 controllers and separate the wireless function from the switch. Keep in mind, like Leo mentioned, you would also need to purchase DNAc if you wanted to run the embedded wireless controller on the 9k switch.

Here is more info for you:

Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series Switches (Embedded Wireless with Cisco Catalyst 9800 software package upgrade)
Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series Switches (Embedded Wireless with Cisco Catalyst 9800 software package upgrade)
Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches (Embedded Wireless with Cisco Catalyst 9800 software package upgrade)

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/enterprise-networks/software-defined-access/guide-c07-739242.html

SD-Access Embedded Wireless: The Cisco Catalyst 9800 embedded Wireless Controller Software package can be installed on Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series switches to enable wireless controller functionality for distributed branches and small campuses. Once installed, the Catalyst 9800 embedded Wireless Controller running on a Catalyst 9300 Series switch can support up to 200 APs and 4000 Clients (C9300L supports 50 APs / 1000 Clients). A maximum two wireless controllers can be enabled per site on two different Catalyst 9300 Series switches which will increase to scale up to 400 APs and 8000 Wireless Clients (C9300L: 100 APs / 2000 Clients). The Catalyst 9800 embedded Wireless Controller Software package will enable wireless functionality only for SD-Access deployments with two supported topologies:
◦ The Catalyst 9800 embedded Wireless Controller Software package can be enabled on Catalyst 9300 Series switches functioning as Co-Located Border and Control Plane
◦ C9800 Wireless Software Package can be enabled on Catalyst 9300 Series switches functioning as Fabric in a Box

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-9300-series-switches/nb-06-cat9300-ser-data-sheet-cte-en.html

Cisco live presentation

https://www.ciscolive.com/c/dam/r/ciscolive/latam/docs/2018/pdf/BRKEWN-2020.pdf

[Rene MUGIRANEZA]

Thank you for this helpful information.
I can go ahead and order the following:
1. Catalyst 9300 48-port PoE+, Network Advantage
2. C9300-DNA-A-48-3Y: C9300 DNA Advantage, 48-Port, 3 Year Term License
Is this OK with wireless feature for this switch I want to order?
One more question, could you please let me know the latest IOS for this switch to support wireless features?
Thank you.

[Leo Laohoo]

Let me repeat it again: DNAc is MANDATORY.
DNAc stands for DNA centre. It is an appliance (and not an activation license).

[Scott Fella]

The appliance will cost you more than your switches, so again make sure it’s the design you want to go with. As far as image versions go, look at this:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/214749-tac-recommended-ios-xe-builds-for-wirele.html

[Leo Laohoo]

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@Scott Fella wrote:
The appliance will cost you more than your switches

And the price of the license and optional features cost more than the cheapest DNAc appliance.  

[Rich R]

So to summarise/paraphrase what the others are saying above: if you are not ready to move to Software Defined networking with DNA centre (very different to WLC + APs) then DO NOT try to run 9800 EWC on 9300 switches. If you want to go that way then make sure you know what you are doing because it is completely different to what you were doing with converged access switches. Rather review and select the 9800 WLC which is most appropriate for your requirements instead.

[patoberli]

As the others mentioned, don't do this.
What you can do, either a Catalyst 9100 AP with the controller function https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/wireless/embedded-wireless-controller-on-catalyst-access-points/index.html
Or a WLC 3504 if you prefer to have it standalone. Those two options are good for up to 50 APs. The 3504 is a bit older, but should continue for several years.
If you need more than that, it's time for a 9800 WLC.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/index.html#~models

[edit]

Or actually, now that the 9800-L is out, scratch the 3504 and go directly to the new controller generation.