main differences between light weight AP's and Catalyst AP's

[Aldo.zavala@gmail.com]

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

[Leo Laohoo]

Mobility Express/eWLC have limited WLC functionality, aka WLC Lite, and primarily aimed for SOHO/SMB deployment.  

[jagan.chowdam]

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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[Scott Fella · Accepted solution]

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.

[Aldo.zavala@gmail.com]

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

[jagan.chowdam]

All Cisco c9100 series APs support EWC.

Refer the following URL for supported AP list as well as step by step configuration help

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/embedded-wireless-controller-catalyst-access-points/white-paper-c11-743398.html

Make sure to verify "Prerequisites for deploying the EWC". 

CJ

[Scott Fella]

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

[Aldo.zavala@gmail.com]

thanks thanks and thanks!!!!

[Scott Fella]

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)