Campus lan and Wireless lan solution Design Guide

 
Cisco next-generation wireless stack 
Figure 21. 
Regardless of their location within the organization—on large campuses or at remote sites—wireless users have 
the same experience when connecting to voice, video, and data services.
Infrastructure 
The next-generation wireless stack is built around these main hardware and software components:
● 
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series WLAN controllers (including appliances, virtual, and embedded)
● 
Cisco Catalyst 9100 Wi-Fi 6 APs 
● 
Cisco DNA Center (assurance and automation) 
● 
Cisco Prime Infrastructure (additional automation for more complex deployments) 
● 
Cisco DNA Spaces 

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Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series wireless controllers 
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series wireless controllers combine RF excellence with Cisco IOS-XE benefits. These 
highly reliable and highly secure controllers are ready to deploy anywhere—including the cloud. An 
organization can also choose the Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller on Cisco Catalyst 9100 Series APs, 
for Cisco Catalyst controller features without a dedicated appliance. 
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series wireless controllers are built on the three pillars of network excellence—always 
on, secure, and intelligent—which strengthen the network by providing the best wireless experience without 
compromise, while saving time and money. 
● 
Always on
—Seamless software updates enable faster resolution of critical issues, introduction of new APs 
with zero downtime, and flexible software upgrades. High availability stateful switchover (HA SSO), 
described later, with 1:1 active standby and N+1 redundancy keeps the network, services, and clients 
always on, even in unplanned events. 
● 
Secure
—Secure air, devices, and users with Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series wireless controllers. Wireless 
infrastructure becomes the strongest first line of defense with ETA and Cisco SD-Access. The controller 
comes with built-in security: secure boot, runtime defenses, image signing, integrity verification, and 
hardware authenticity. 
● 
Intelligent
—Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series wireless controllers are built on the modular Cisco IOS XE 
operating system, which offers a rich set of open standards-based programmable APIs and model-driven 
telemetry that provide an easy way to automate day-0 to day-N network operations, and deep insights 
into the health of your network and clients. When paired with Cisco DNA, your network works for you. 
Whether it’s providing you with enhanced analytics or being deployed in the infrastructure (including the 
Cloud) of your choice, the Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series gives you the choices you need for better 
efficiency. 
Cisco WLAN controllers are responsible for system-wide WLAN functions, such as security policies, intrusion 
prevention, RF management, QoS, and mobility. They work in conjunction with Cisco APs in order to support 
business-critical wireless applications. From voice and data services to location tracking, Cisco WLAN 
controllers provide the control, scalability, security, and reliability that network managers need to build secure, 
scalable wireless networks. 
The following table summarizes the Cisco WLAN controllers referenced within this guide.