Restriction of the number of APs to a Port on WLC 4402

[jonathanpe]

Is there any restriction on the number of APs on a single GBIC port of a WLC 4402? As I have heard anecdotally a restriction of 25 AP per port but also I have seen figures of 48 on this discussion forum. But is it a hardware/software restriction or is it just best practice.

If there is please may I have the link to the document so I can present it to our customer, and our pre-sales team.

[Rob Huffman]

Hi Jonathan,

Here is the clip to show the customer :)

Two versions of the 4400 series controller are available: 4402 and 4404 series controllers. Cisco 4402 controllers have two gigabit Ethernet distribution system ports, each of which is capable of managing up to 48 access points. However, Cisco recommends no more than 25 access points per port due to bandwidth constraints. The 4402-25 and 4402-50 models allow a total of 25 or 50 access points to join the controller. Cisco 4404 controllers have four gigabit Ethernet distribution system ports, each of which is capable of managing up to 48 access points. However, Cisco recommends no more than 25 access points per port due to bandwidth constraints. The 4404-25, 4404-50, and 4404-100 models allow a total of 25, 50, or 100 access points to join the controller.

From this good doc;

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/wireless/controller/4400/quick/guide/ctrlv32.html

Hope this helps!

Rob

[tgrundbacher]

Hi Rob

I wonder if you could answer me the following technical/practical question:

We're running two 4404-100 WLCs within the same mobility domain and I'd like to know the failure behaviour of one of them. What do you think will happen, when there's only one GigabitEthernet port out of the four operational to the upstream switch:

- I assume 48 APs won't be impacted in terms of speed and errors?

- For all other APs above 48:

- will they remain connected and the WLAN performance & reliablity therefore be degraded? Or:

- Will the WLC force all APs above 48 to disconnect and connect to the secondary WLC?

So the question is wheter the WLC will actively distribute APs among the mobility domain in case physical interface limitations will be reached.

Another open question for me is if one really needs to use all four GigabitEthernet ports in order to ensure a reliable operation for the maximum of 100 APs or if three would be enough (assuming LAG is used). Is that recommended, are there any experiences/best practices with that?

Thanks

Toni