Tech Corner | PivIT Global

GUIDE: Cisco AP Deployment Modes

Written by PivIT Global | Apr 8, 2019 4:42:55 PM

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        
 
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