Cisco CW9800L Wireless LAN Controller

In a mid-sized enterprise campus, network administrators need a reliable way to manage hundreds of access points and thousands of clients without performance bottlenecks. The Cisco CW9800L Wireless LAN Controller steps in as a dedicated 1RU appliance that centralizes wireless network control, offering high throughput and advanced security for demanding environments.

Key specifications

• Supports up to 250 access points and 5000 clients
• 5 Gbps throughput for high-density wireless traffic
• 2x 10 Gigabit Ethernet (SFP+) and 2x 1 Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) interfaces
• Runs Cisco IOS XE with CLI, Web UI, and Cisco DNA Center management
• High availability: N+1, N+N, and Stateful Switchover (SSO)
• Security: Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA), MACsec, Rogue AP Detection
• Intel x86 processor, 16 GB RAM, 64 GB flash storage
• IPv6 support and rack-mount kit included

Why choose it

This controller is built for scalability and resilience. With support for up to 250 APs and 5000 clients, it can handle growing networks without requiring additional hardware. The 5 Gbps throughput ensures smooth performance even with high-bandwidth applications, while the dual 10G uplinks provide fast backhaul connectivity. Cisco IOS XE offers a familiar and robust operating system with flexible management options, and the high availability features minimize downtime in critical deployments.

Ideal use cases

• Mid-sized enterprise wireless networks
• Campus environments requiring centralized management
• High-density areas like auditoriums or conference centers
• Organizations needing advanced security and analytics
• Networks planning to adopt Cisco DNA Center for automation

Good to know

The CW9800L comes with a fixed internal AC power supply and includes a rack-mount kit for easy installation in standard 19-inch racks. It supports IPv6 and offers multiple management interfaces, making it adaptable to existing network operations. The controller is an on-premise solution, giving you full control over your wireless infrastructure.