01-30-2022 11:50 AM
Hi all, I understand that latest LWAP's support Cisco Mobility Express and that Catalyst AP's support embedded WLC... is there any other relevant or major difference between them? (apart from the price) ?
I am planning to setup a small home lab for learning purposes only.
Also, does licensing works exactly the same for both LWAP and Catalyst AP's?
Thanks all!
Aldo
Solved! Go to Solution.
01-31-2022 07:44 AM
Don't go with the Mobility Express, go straight with the EWC if you want a the controller function internal to the ap. Mobility Express is no longer being deployed and the IOS-XE version is so much better. If you have a hypervisor, you can spin up a 9800-CL which is free and deploy the 9x00 access points. I prefer using a controller separate, but that is me, seems easier for me to set up.
01-30-2022 02:41 PM
Mobility Express/eWLC have limited WLC functionality, aka WLC Lite, and primarily aimed for SOHO/SMB deployment.
01-31-2022 05:51 AM
Hi,
Refer the link for feature comparison - https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/ewc/17-11/matrix/MEandEWCFeatureComparisonMatrix.html
This is a bit dated document, but will help in comparing ME & EWC
CJ
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01-31-2022 07:44 AM
Don't go with the Mobility Express, go straight with the EWC if you want a the controller function internal to the ap. Mobility Express is no longer being deployed and the IOS-XE version is so much better. If you have a hypervisor, you can spin up a 9800-CL which is free and deploy the 9x00 access points. I prefer using a controller separate, but that is me, seems easier for me to set up.
01-31-2022 08:41 AM - edited 01-31-2022 08:43 AM
for the Catalyst AP's I have found one models with EWC (the 9105i), one with embedded wlc, so is the Catalyst 9105i the only one that have EWC based?
Another question, once I order the 9105i, do I need to do something additional to enable or install the EWC features or does it comes all enabled and ready to go by default?
Thanks all!
Aldo
01-31-2022 08:59 AM
All Cisco c9100 series APs support EWC.
Refer the following URL for supported AP list as well as step by step configuration help
Make sure to verify "Prerequisites for deploying the EWC".
CJ
01-31-2022 09:22 AM
All the 9x00 ap's support EWC. I would go with a 9120 or 9130, mid to enterprise models. This FAQ will also help answer other questions you might have.
Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst Access Points FAQ - Cisco
01-31-2022 09:33 AM - edited 01-31-2022 09:33 AM
thanks thanks and thanks!!!!
01-31-2022 09:40 AM
Just make sure that you take a look at some blogs and or videos for the EWC. That helped me in the past when I first tried to setup EWC.
Initial Configuration for Embedded Wireless Controller – Haifeng's Blog (lihaifeng.net)
Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst Access Points - WifiReference.com
How to Convert Cisco C9115 to Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC) (rowelldionicio.com)
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