GUIDE: Cisco AP Deployment Modes
Today, a wireless connection is the primary way to access a network in most organizations. Without a wireless network, you can't connect your cell phone to access resources, your employees are confined to their desktop and your data is hard to access.
With Cisco's enterprise-class wireless and mobility products, you get state-of-the-art access. Which will work as standalone and top-of-the-line wireless LAN controllers in which your access point will connect through the controller and the revolutionary Digital Network Architecture (DNA). Take advantage of cutting-edge innovations like 802.11ac Wave 2 and highly protective security.
In the above Picture, we can control over the whole wireless network through Cisco WLC. You just need to connect to your own wireless LAN controller (WLC) with Core network. After configuring all of your SSID’s and other authentication protocol, allows you to control through the WLC.
Cisco Converged Access Roadmap
Following are the converged access workflow. Converged networks represent design changes in the way wired and wireless networks are deployed in any organization.
Mesh Mode, FlexConnect + Mesh Mode, OfficeExtend Mode, Monitor Mode, Rogue Detector Mode, and Sniffer Mode are also supported
Cisco Wireless Controller Deployment Mode
Flex Connect YES |
FlexConnect Central authentication, local switching |
FlexConnect YES |
FlexConnect | FlexConnect |
FlexConnect YES |
FlexConnect YES |
Central Mode |
Central Mode |
Central Mode YES | Central mode (Formerly Local) YES | Central mode (Formerly Local) YES | Central mode (Formerly Local) YES | Central mode (Formerly Local) YES |
Mesh Mode | Mesh | Mesh YES | Mesh | Mesh | Mesh YES | Mesh YES |
Flex + Mesh |
Flex+Mesh In Plan |
Flex+Mesh YES |
Flex+Mesh YES |
Flex+Mesh YES |
Flex+Mesh YES |
Flex+Mesh YES |
Office Extend YES | OfficeExtend | OfficeExtend YES | Office Extend | OfficeExtend | OfficeExtend YES | OfficeExtend YES |
Cisco Wireless Controller Deployment Mode Compatibility Comparison
WLC | WLC Deployment Modes | ||||
Reliable | Flex Connect | Centralized | Mesh | OfficeExtend | |
Cisco Aironet 1800 Series Access Points | ● | – | – | – | – |
Cisco Aironet 2800/3800 Series Access Points | ● | – | – | – | – |
Cisco Aironet 1560 Series Outdoor Access Points | ● | – | – | – | – |
Cisco Aironet 3500 Series Wireless Controller | – | ● | ● | ● |
● |
Cisco Virtual Wireless Controller | – | ● | – | – | – |
Cisco 5500 Series Wireless | – | ● | ● | ● | ● |