Cisco Catalyst 9800

The Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series is a family of enterprise-grade wireless LAN controllers designed to deliver secure, scalable, and high-performance wireless networking. Built on Cisco IOS XE, the platform supports modern intent-based networking and integrates Cisco’s RF innovations to ensure reliable connectivity across campus, branch, and cloud environments.

Key Features

IOS XE Architecture: Modern operating system with modular architecture, automation capabilities, and consistent management.
High Availability: Supports hot and cold patching, plus In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU) for near zero-downtime updates.
Advanced Security: Secure boot, image signing, runtime defenses, and hardware integrity validation.
Flexible Deployment: Available as physical appliances, virtual controllers, or cloud-hosted platforms.
Automation and APIs: Open APIs and model-driven telemetry enable automation and deep network visibility.
Wi-Fi 6 Ready: Optimized to support next-generation wireless performance and advanced analytics.
User Defined Network: Allows secure segmentation where users can manage their own wireless partitions.

Available Models

9800-L: Compact controller for small and mid-size deployments (up to 250 APs, expandable with licensing).
9800-40: Enterprise controller supporting up to 2,000 access points and high throughput campus networks.
9800-80: Modular platform for large enterprises, supporting up to 6,000 access points.
CW9800M: Mid-range controller supporting approximately 3,000 access points and 50 Gbps throughput.
CW9800H1 / CW9800H2: High-capacity models supporting up to 6,000 access points and large client densities.
9800-CL: Virtual controller deployable on VMware, KVM, or public cloud platforms.

Additional Capabilities

Support for multiple SFP optical interfaces.
Enhanced power efficiency compared with previous controller generations.
Advanced telemetry and analytics integration with Cisco Catalyst Center.

The Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series provides scalable and highly secure wireless network management for organisations ranging from small campuses to global enterprises.