24 Meraki and Cisco wireless solutions – technology overview

Cisco & Meraki comparison – what you’ll find inside?

How to compare wireless solutions?

When looking at different Cisco wireless solutions, you might want to look into dozens of features. The significance of each feature might vary based on your specific needs and environment, but here are some of the most important access point features to consider. We tried to accommodate them in our Cisco Wireless Solutions Comparison.

1. Wireless Standards and Speeds: Look for APs that support the latest wireless standards (such as 802.11ac or 802.11ax), as they offer better performance and support for more devices. Check the maximum theoretical data rates (e.g., Mbps or Gbps) to ensure they meet your requirements.
2. Frequency Bands: APs can operate on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. Dual-band or tri-band APs offer greater flexibility and help avoid overcrowding in high-density areas.
3. Antenna Configuration: Consider the number and type of antennas an AP has. Multiple antennas can improve signal strength, coverage, and overall performance.
4. Throughput and Performance: Consider the AP’s actual performance in real-world scenarios, which might differ from its theoretical maximum speeds.
5. MIMO (Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output): APs with MIMO technology can communicate with multiple devices simultaneously, enhancing network capacity and reducing latency.
6. Beamforming: This technology focuses the wireless signal toward connected devices, improving performance and range.
7. Security Features: Look for support for WPA3 encryption, guest network isolation, VLAN support, and other security features to protect your network and data.
8. Management and Scalability: Check if the AP can be easily managed, configured, and scaled to support a growing number of devices. You might want to look into Meraki cloud management.
9. Quality of Service (QoS): QoS settings allow you to prioritize certain types of traffic (e.g., video streaming, VoIP) for a better user experience.
10. Power over Ethernet (PoE) Support: PoE allows the AP to be powered through the Ethernet cable, simplifying installation and reducing clutter.
11. Traffic Management: Look for features like bandwidth control, access controls, and traffic shaping to manage network usage effectively.
12. Integration with Network Infrastructure: Consider compatibility with existing network hardware and management systems.
13. Future-Proofing: Consider whether the AP supports upcoming technologies and standards to ensure it remains relevant in the future.

It’s important to assess your specific requirements and network environment to determine which of these features are most crucial for your needs. Additionally, seeking advice from networking professionals or IT experts can help you make an informed decision based on your unique situation.

Why are we comparing Wi-Fi controllers in addition to APs?

A wireless controller is a centralized Wi-Fi management device or software that manages all the access points (APs) in a managed Wi-Fi network. In the Cisco environment, controllers are called WLCs (Wireless LAN Controllers) and are designed to provide a single point for managing, configuring, and operating access points.

The popularity of WLC solutions is growing as companies move away from stand-alone access point implementation projects to centralized controller-based structures. Organizations are choosing to take advantage of the increased functionality and redundancy that comes from controller-based designs. Cisco currently offers a variety of WLC models, each designed for different network sizes and applications.

As you can imagine, larger models (such as WLC 9800, 8500, 5520, etc.) offer, for example, more gigabit network interfaces, high availability and advanced features required in large and complex networks (e.g. support for more VLANs and SSIDs, thousands of access points and clients (STA) on WLC).

So what should you choose when choosing a controller for your infrastructure? Manage it from the console or in the cloud?

Who will benefit most from reading the Cisco Wireless Solutions Review?

Engineers

looking for replacements for Aironet devices achieving EoL

Architects

planning the transformation of wireless networks

IT Managers

who want to continue to orient themselves in the technology portfolio

Download and learn migration paths for old Cisco wireless solutions. Find out what new functionalities await you in the latest Wi-Fi solutions on the market.

“I recommend this guide to everyone who wants to organize their knowledge about the wealth of wireless solutions. Cisco sets trends in the network market and it is worth staying up to date with the possibilities offered by this equipment. “

Karol Goliszewski, Consulting Engineer, Grandmetric