How to Retrieve Real-Time Metrics from Cisco C9115AXI-E and Send to MQ

[nadernld]

Hello,

I am a student working on a project related to WiFi 6 monitoring. I have a Cisco C9115AXI-E access point, and my goal is to collect real-time data such as:

• Throughput
• Number of connected STAs
• Retransmission rate

I would like to know the best way to retrieve these metrics from the access point. Should I use SNMP, an API, or another method?

Once I have this data, I need to send it to an MQTT broker, which will be connected to Eclipse Ditto to create a digital twin of the network.

Additionally, I would like to know the best approach to connect the Cisco AP to the MQTT broker. Does the C9115AXI-E support direct MQTT communication, or do I need an intermediary service to fetch the data and publish it to MQTT?

Could you please guide me on how to:

1. Retrieve real-time metrics from the AP
2. Send these metrics to an MQTT broker

Any documentation, API references, or best practices would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance for your help.

Best regards,
Nader Nour El Dine

[Rich R]

Hi Nader

Cisco APs are intended to be managed via a Wireless LAN Controller (WLC).  You collect AP data/stats from the WLC, not the AP directly.  SNMP is the old way for doing this, with limited support for SNMP on new 9800 series WLCs.  The new way is streaming telemetry.  Ideally you need a WLC to start with (you can use 9800-CL virtual WLC) but if you can't then 9115 can be converted to EWC (Embedded Wireless Controller) on AP.  This runs a virtual WLC on the AP alongside the regular AP software and the AP can then join to its own WLC.  The EWC has most of the same functionality as a standard WLC with a few caveats due to the AP limitations.

Get started by reading some of the relevant product literature:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/nb-o6-embded-wrls-cont-ds-cte-en.html
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/embedded-wireless-controller-on-catalyst-access-points/215303-embedded-wireless-controller-conversion.html
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9800-cl-wireless-controller-cloud/nb-06-cat9800-cl-cloud-wirel-data-sheet-ctp-en.html
https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286322352/type/286323077/release/17.15.2b
https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286322605/type/282046477/release/IOSXE-17.15.2b

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/17-12/config-guide/b_wl_17_12_cg/streaming-telemetry-on-Cisco-Catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controller.html
https://www.wifireference.com/2020/01/14/viewing-network-telemetry-from-the-catalyst-9800-with-grafana/
https://www.ciscolive.com/c/dam/r/ciscolive/global-event/docs/2024/pdf/BRKEWN-1108.pdf

[nadernld]

Hi Rich R,
Thank you very much for your detailed response! The literature you shared will be very useful for me to better understand the architecture and management of APs via EWC.
I have an additional question: if I convert my AP to EWC, where will the client data be stored? And how can I send this data from the EWC to my PC?
Thanks again for your valuable help!
Best regards,Nader Nour El DineEnvoyé depuis mon appareil Galaxy

[Rich R]

Hi Nader

Where the data is stored is entirely up to you.  The WLC does not store the data at all - it simply provides the APIs for retrieving the data.  You will need to store that data in a database somewhere.  Read through the docs for examples of how to do that.