WLC 2504/3504 VS Mobility Express

[Seckerfers]

Hi,

We have a plan to upgrade our AP to 2800/3800, and we are currently running with 2504 and maybe have a plans to upgrade to 3504. and also currently we are just running 4 AP and planning to run less than 10 AP later.

may i have some input from you guys which better to our next upgrade plans. I've looked at the cisco page, but maybe there is another experience from users here regarding this case.

2800 running with WLC 2504 / 3504 

or

2800 running with mobility express ??

And is there any features on those WLC which aren't covered with mobility express today? 

Big thanks for any comment and inputs.

[Scott Fella · Accepted solution]

I will give you my two cents. I hate Mobility Express. So that being said, the 2504 is already end of sale and the 3504 has been announced. If you don’t care, then go with a 3504. If you want, you can look at the new 9800- CL which you can run on a VM or look at the 9800-L which is the newer controller model replacing AireOS. The 9800-CL is free to download and you can run your aps in FlexConnect mode.

[Rich R · Accepted solution]

Agree with Scott - avoid ME if possible.

Regarding your question: And is there any features on those WLC which aren't covered with mobility express today?

Yes plenty of features not supported in ME.

See https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/access_point/feature-matrix/ap-feature-matrix.html#_Toc64463739 for lots of detail and also see https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/enterprise-networks/mobility-express/q-and-a-c67-734485.html#Featuresandfunctionality and https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/mobility-express/213263-mobility-express-feature-list-per-releas.html

[Seckerfers]

Hi rrudling,

Yeah, i've read that matrix. frankly, all basic features that i needed are covered with ME. But, maybe it's not reliable enough since it's not recommended to use it.

Well noted then and big thanks for your inputs.

[Seckerfers]

Hi Scott, 

Well noted for that. Big thanks for your inputs.

[patoberli · Accepted solution]

I would not get an old 3504, as the end of life is already announced. 

As you anyway will get new APs, have a look at the successor of Mobility Express -> EWC. It supports your old APs and runs on the new Catalyst 9100 series APs: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/embedded-wireless-controller-catalyst-access-points/white-paper-c11-743398.html

[Seckerfers]

Dear Patoberli,

Noted then, i'll dig further about that APs. Big thanks for your information.