Cisco WiFi - AP acts like a Controller?

[evinahmad86]

Hi guys! I'm approaching a new Wireless project for my company but i have one doubt about the design: The Pre-sales has design this architecture with 29 access point composed like follows: AIR-AP1852I-E-K9C = x2 AIR-CAP3702P-E-K9 = x27 They said that 1 AP of them should work as CONTROLLER for the other APs.... Is it possible? I never heard about one AP that acts like a controller.. I tryied to seach on google but i did found nothis useful about. Do you know if this design is possible? Thanks so much in advance!

[Leo Laohoo]

Mobility Express

[TeaDensity]

If this is a new project, recommend considering Embedded Wireless Controller, with Wi-Fi6 Access Points

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

[patoberli]

It's 2021 and not 2019, right? Because you got offered 2019 hardware instead of nearly same price 2021 hardware.
I would ask for EWC models of the Catalyst 9000 series:

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

[Rich R]

Yeah like @TeaDensity and @patoberli said - somebody is trying to sell you old hardware which will soon be end of life.  EWC on 9100 APs is much better than ME on the 1852 (also free license now) and you can get Catalyst 9100 WiFi 6 APs which will have a much longer life and much better performance for modern client devices.