We implement this in the hospitality industry and need to control internal secure LAN/Wi-Fi users and offer external Wi-Fi to our customers while keeping the system secure. This product allows us to do that.
President/Owner at RDC Networks
Advanced security category blocking is a great way to secure what people are doing and seeing
What is our primary use case?
How has it helped my organization?
Cisco Meraki is easy to use, and the mesh is flawless over 37 locations. We can order and have a direct shipped product without ever having to program it onsite. Just inject it into the template, and all is cookie stamped.
What is most valuable?
Advanced security category blocking is a great way to secure what people are doing and seeing to prevent malware from getting into the network.
What needs improvement?
A mobile app would be great to see if the system is up, and some minor tools, but not to add or remove rules. Improvement here would be appreciated.
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Wireless
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Wireless. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
814,649 professionals have used our research since 2012.
For how long have I used the solution?
More than five years.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Network Enginer with 1,001-5,000 employees
Identity PSK helps save SSIDs but software quality for Aironet Series APs needs work
Pros and Cons
- "Identity PSK helps save SSIDs."
- "The software quality could be improved, in particular for the new Cisco Aironet Series 2800/3800 Access Point which is pretty Linux-based."
What is most valuable?
Identity PSK helps save SSIDs.
What needs improvement?
The software quality could be improved, in particular for the new Cisco Aironet Series 2800/3800 Access Point which is pretty Linux-based.
For how long have I used the solution?
One to three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We have encountered issues with stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
No issues with scalability.
How are customer service and technical support?
Tech support could be improved. It really depends on the TAC engineer you happen to have on the phone.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Previously we used Cisco WiSM and then WiSM2.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was pretty straightforward.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Never pay the full GPL price.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Extreme Networks, HPE, Huawei.
What other advice do I have?
This is still a reliable and useful product but other vendors are catching up.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Wireless
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Wireless. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
814,649 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Senior Consultant at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
There's no logical order to setup what you need, but with some reading, it's totally feasible.
What is most valuable?
Security features
How has it helped my organization?
We can deploy a simple guest captive portal to allow guests to connect to the internet.
What needs improvement?
More languages on the captive portal.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using Cisco WLAN Controller 2106 for about one year.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
I had to reboot the controller a couple of times to force correct EAP key exchange.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I had to reboot the controller a couple of times to force correct EAP key exchange.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Since it's a very small controller, I was already prepared for a small deployment.
How are customer service and technical support?
Customer Service:
Not used at all.
Technical Support:Not used at all.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
No previous solution used.
How was the initial setup?
A bit complex. There's no logical order to setup what you need, but with some reading, it's totally feasible.
What about the implementation team?
I implement it myself. I work for a Cisco partner.
What other advice do I have?
Plan the network first and decide if this box is big enough for your deployment.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: We are CISCO partners.
Senior Manager of Network at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees
Reliable product. Ability to handle huge amounts of traffic needs to be improved.
What is most valuable?
No configuration required on access points and better monitoring.
How has it helped my organization?
We have been deploying in different companies and their wireless communication has improved.
What needs improvement?
Access Points are unable to handle huge traffic and if one user start downloading other user bandwidth speed is affected.
For how long have I used the solution?
Multiple Times.
4402, 4404, 5508
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
Yes we did have issues. The start access points were unable to join the controller but we managed.
There was an issue with User Authentication with lDAP.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
None encountered.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
None encountered.
How are customer service and technical support?
Customer Service:
It was good.
Technical Support:It was good.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Our customer used Linksys access points and they had problems with their connection so they decided for WLAN.
How was the initial setup?
Start the controller. The initial setup process will start the you need to configure multiple parameters, and the configuration is done.
What about the implementation team?
I implemented myself for multiple companies.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
No day-to-day cost.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Yes different WLAN Controller models.
What other advice do I have?
Good product and good reliability
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
ICT Infrastructure Architect at a energy/utilities company with 501-1,000 employees
Reduces the cost of cabling and has good speed, security, and stability
Pros and Cons
- "The speed and security are most valuable."
- "Its licensing model and cost should be improved."
What is our primary use case?
We are using it just for connectivity.
How has it helped my organization?
It allows us to reduce the cost of cabling and provides mobility of users within the organization.
What is most valuable?
The speed and security are most valuable.
What needs improvement?
Its licensing model and cost should be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for about seven years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is quite scalable.
How are customer service and technical support?
There are no issues with their technical support.
How was the initial setup?
It is fairly easy.
What about the implementation team?
We used an outsource partner.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It is expensive, and there are some costs in addition to the standard licensing fee. Its licensing model and cost should be improved.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
At that time, Cisco was the main provider of such solutions, so we went with Cisco.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution. I would advise getting it done by a professional who knows what he or she is doing so that you don't run into any issues.
I would rate Cisco Wireless a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Enterprise Architect at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees
Easy setup with great technical support and reliable technology
Pros and Cons
- "The technical support is excellent."
- "They are a pretty expensive option."
What is our primary use case?
We use the solution purely for a wide extension, in over it to achieve the desired coverage. It's a structure for our employees, and it offers end-to-end coverage for our employees to gain access to our corporate environment when they need to.
How has it helped my organization?
If you look at the Cisco products, it's sort of like buying a Mercedes-Benz, in that you know you get a brand that's well known and has a reputation of reliability. The ease of access and the simple rollout make it a natural choice.
What is most valuable?
The ease of rollout is one of the main reasons we ended up choosing Cisco as a solution.
The initial setup is very straightforward.
The technical support is excellent.
What needs improvement?
The pricing is above average. They are a pretty expensive option. If clients don't have the budget, it can be hard to afford. The company should work to reduce the price and make them more competitive.
The solution would be better if there was some sort of server type of tool that's included in the package. If there was something that could help you fine-tune the solution a bit easier, it would be helpful.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for eight or nine years at this point. It's been a while.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The technology of the product is excellent. The solution is very reliable and stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
In our organization, there are roughly about 500 people using the Wireless. They vary from entry-level to senior management.
How are customer service and technical support?
Cisco's technical support is very, very good. They are very knowledgeable and responsive. We're quite satisfied with the level of assistance they provide to us when we need it. It's quite professional.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We work as a service provider, and therefore we use a variety of products, including Cisco, Meraki, Ruckus, and Hadoop.
Although we've used other solutions, we've stuck with Cisco ourselves from the start.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was not complex. It was straightforward and very simple. The setup and deployment are one of its selling points as it is quite easy.
The deployment is pretty quick. Of course, we have a certain level of comfort with the solution after so many years, so it is easy for us. We haven't encountered any issues with the process. Other organizations should also find it relatively easy.
The solution doesn't need a lot of staff for deployment and there is very little maintenance required. Those that we do have would be fairly technical as we would require some of our CNPs to do the support and maintenance on the system.
What about the implementation team?
We don't need any consultants or implementors as we have sufficient in-house expertise. We can handle it ourselves.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I don't work with the commercial side, I don't have any estimate on the cost.
That said, I do know that it is more expensive than other options.
What other advice do I have?
We are a service provider.
Cisco is a well-known brand especially when it comes to technology. They're one of the market leaders and they're absolutely a no-fuss vendor. I would recommend it to anyone.
It did take me a few weeks or months to get used to some aspects of the system, however, once you learn it, you get very comfortable with the processes of deployment.
I would rate the solution at a ten out of ten. It's a superior option that's easy to implement and very reliable.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Private Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Reseller
System Administrator at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Reliable, easy to install, and has a good signal range
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features are that it is easy to install and the range is good."
- "The price should be reduced. It should be cheaper."
What is our primary use case?
We have twenty switches in our corporate office.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features are that it is easy to install and the range is good.
What needs improvement?
The price should be reduced. It should be cheaper.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for five years.
We have upgraded to the newest version.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's a stable product.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have close to 600 users in our organization who are using this solutoin.
How are customer service and technical support?
I do not have experience with technical support. We have not had to contact them.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Previously, we did not use another solution.
How was the initial setup?
It's easy to install.
It can take 15 to 20 minutes to complete the installation.
What about the implementation team?
I completed the installation myself.
We have a team of three to maintain this product.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
This is an expensive product.
What other advice do I have?
We plan to continue our usage of this product and I would recommend it to others.
I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Information Technology Executive
A long-lived and reliable product with good support
Pros and Cons
- "This product has a long life and you don't have any issues with it."
- "There needs to be an access point that is compact and more suitable for small and medium-sized businesses."
What is our primary use case?
We have been using Cisco wireless for more than five years.
What is most valuable?
This product has a long life and you don't have any issues with it.
We are very comfortable with the access points and Wi-Fi connectivity.
What needs improvement?
There needs to be an access point that is compact and more suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.
We need an access point that can be easily managed in a big industry. As it is now, in a large organization, we would require perhaps 20 or 30 access points. Instead of this, if we had a high-range access point that is also cost-effective then it would work well.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Cisco Wireless for five years. The model that we are using is now at end-of-life and we no longer have support from Cisco.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Stability-wise, this is a good solution and the majority of people in the industry prefer Cisco and Aruba devices.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This is a scalable product.
How are customer service and technical support?
In general, Cisco's technical support is very good. They will replace hardware if needed. However, based on the locality, the support may need improvement.
How was the initial setup?
If you have knowledge of Cisco solutions then the initial setup is easy. However, if you don't have the knowledge then it's very difficult and you need to ask for support from a third-party.
The deployment will take a week.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Some of our customers use Cisco Wireless, whereas others use Aruba. It is normally an issue of the quality of the local support team. People prefer the support of one vendor over another, which differs depending on the locale.
What other advice do I have?
If anybody asks me, I would recommend a Cisco device. When you consider all of the LAN and wireless features, everything is good. Cisco is now customizing products based on customer requirements, and they are also cost-effective.
I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Updated: November 2024
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Learn More: Questions:
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About you just said regarding "room for improvement", you have to understand that this behavior is expected for some 802.11 standards. It has nothing to do with Cisco solution. I mean, it's a 802.11 feature. To avoid such thing, you should try 802.11n (MIMO) and 802.11ac. Plus, avoid simply turning the controller on and leaving the parameters as default. Wireless products MUST be customized to your scenario and needs.