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Cisco CW9800M Catalyst Wi-Fi 6 Wireless LAN Controller - 50 Gbit/s - 10GbE - Rack-mountable
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Product Features
Technical Overview
The CW9800M supports the complete IEEE 802.11a/b/g/d/e/h/n/k/r/u/w/ac/ax wireless standard portfolio, ensuring backward compatibility with existing Wi-Fi devices while maximizing Wi-Fi 6 efficiency. Data link protocols are built on TCP/IP, with communication protocols including ICMP, ARP, DHCP, RADIUS, SNMPv1/v2c/v3, SNTP, HTTP, HTTPS, and SSH for comprehensive network integration.
Encryption standards span from legacy DES-CBC to modern WPA3 and TLS 1.3, with support for AES-CBC, RSA 2048-bit, EAP-TLS, and multiple authentication methods. The controller's 10 Gigabit Ethernet interface provides high-speed wired backbone connectivity, while the USB 3.0 port and dedicated management port offer additional configuration and maintenance options.
Relevant factors for this section include Wireless LAN Standard, Wireless Transmission Speed, Data Link Protocols, Ethernet Technology. When those points are considered together, they give buyers a clearer picture of how the product is equipped, how it fits into deployment, and what kind of day-to-day role it is meant to support.
Key Product Advantages
The Catalyst CW9800M delivers centralized control and visibility across large wireless deployments, reducing operational complexity while enhancing network performance and security. Its AI-powered management capabilities automate optimization tasks that would otherwise require manual intervention.
Scalable Management
Designed for managing wireless access points in large quantities, this controller provides efficient setup and configuration control for network operations centers.
- Centralized access point management
- Streamlined configuration workflows
- Bulk deployment capabilities
High-Speed Connectivity
10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity optimizes wired network performance, while 50 Gbit/s wireless transmission ensures minimal bottlenecks in data-intensive environments.
- 10GbE backbone support
- 50 Gbit/s wireless throughput
- Reduced network latency
Comprehensive Security
Multiple encryption standards and authentication methods protect network traffic across all managed access points, with support for both legacy and modern security protocols.
- WPA3 and WPA2 encryption
- TLS 1.3 support
- EAP-TLS authentication
Deployment / Use Cases
The CW9800M is engineered for enterprise environments requiring centralized management of distributed Wi-Fi 6 access points. Its rack-mountable form factor makes it ideal for data center installations, while the high-speed connectivity supports bandwidth-intensive applications across large campuses, corporate offices, and educational institutions.
Network administrators can deploy this controller to manage hundreds of access points from a single interface, simplifying monitoring, troubleshooting, and policy enforcement. The AI-powered features automatically optimize radio frequency settings and client load balancing, reducing manual configuration overhead in dynamic wireless environments.
Enterprise Campus Deployment
Centralized management of Wi-Fi 6 access points across multiple buildings with consistent security policies and performance monitoring.
High-Density Environments
Support for large numbers of concurrent clients in conference centers, auditoriums, or stadiums with 50 Gbit/s wireless throughput capacity.
Physical Profile
The CW9800M features a standard 1U rack-mountable design measuring 1.73 inches in height, 17.30 inches in width, and 18.40 inches in depth. With an approximate weight of 9.30 kilograms, this controller is built for stable installation in standard 19-inch server racks commonly found in data centers and network closets.
The physical profile is practical for deployment planning because the dimensions and weight are clearly defined: 1.73" (43.90 mm), 17.30" (439.40 mm), 18.40" (467.40 mm), 9.30 kg. This helps confirm rack, shelf, desk, or cabinet fit before installation.
- Width
- 17.30" (439.40 mm)
- Depth
- 18.40" (467.40 mm)
- Height
- 1.73" (43.90 mm)
- Weight
- 9.30 kg
Highlights
- Wi-Fi 6 wireless LAN controller with 50 Gbit/s transmission speed
- 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity for high-speed wired backbone
- Rack-mountable 1U form factor for data center deployment
- AI-powered management for automated network optimization
- Comprehensive encryption including WPA3, TLS 1.3, and EAP-TLS
- Centralized control for large quantities of wireless access points
- USB 3.0 port and dedicated management port for configuration
- Supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/d/e/h/n/k/r/u/w/ac/ax standards
- Communication protocols include SNMPv3, HTTPs, SSH, and RADIUS
- Dimensions: 1.73" H × 17.30" W × 18.40" D (9.30 kg weight)
Specifications
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Cisco Systems, Inc |
| Manufacturer Part Number | CW9800M |
| Brand Name | Cisco |
| Product Line | Catalyst |
| Product Series | CW9800M |
| Product Name | Catalyst CW9800M Wireless LAN Controller |
| Product Type | Wireless LAN Controller |
| Technical Information | |
| Wireless LAN Standard | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/d/e/h/n/k/r/u/w/ac/ax |
| Wireless Transmission Speed | 50 Gbit/s |
| Data Link Protocols | TCP/IP |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption Standard | WPA3,WPA2,AES,DES,DES-CBC,3DES,SSL,TLS,RC4 128-bit,RSA 1024-bit,RSA 2048-bit,AES-CBC,EAP-TLS,EAP,TLS 1.0,MD5-96,SHA-1,TLS 1.3,TLS 1.2 |
| AI-powered | Yes |
| Interfaces/Ports | |
| Ethernet Technology | 10 Gigabit Ethernet |
| USB | Yes |
| USB Standard | USB 3.0 |
| Management Port | Yes |
| Network & Communication | |
| Wi-Fi Generation | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Communication Protocols | ICMP,ARP,DHCP,RADIUS,SNMPv1/v2c/v3,SNTP,HTTP,HTTPS,SSH |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Form Factor | Rack-mountable |
| Height | 1.73" (43.90 mm) |
| Width | 17.30" (439.40 mm) |
| Depth | 18.40" (467.40 mm) |
| Weight (Approximate) | 9.30 kg |
User Manual
FAQ
What Wi-Fi generation does the Cisco CW9800M support?
The Cisco CW9800M supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), providing the latest wireless efficiency features including OFDMA, MU-MIMO, and Target Wake Time for improved performance in high-density environments. It also maintains backward compatibility with previous Wi-Fi standards including 802.11a/b/g/n/ac.
What is the wireless transmission speed of this controller?
This wireless LAN controller delivers 50 Gbit/s wireless transmission speed, enabling high-throughput connectivity for bandwidth-intensive applications and supporting large numbers of concurrent clients across managed access points.
Does the CW9800M include Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities?
The CW9800M itself does not provide Power over Ethernet functionality as it is a centralized controller rather than an access point. However, it manages access points that may utilize PoE for power delivery, and its 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity supports high-speed data transfer to PoE switches that power connected access points.
What encryption standards are supported for wireless security?
The controller supports comprehensive encryption standards including WPA3 and WPA2 for wireless security, along with AES, DES, 3DES, SSL, TLS (versions 1.0 through 1.3), RC4 128-bit, RSA 1024-bit and 2048-bit, AES-CBC, EAP-TLS, and multiple authentication methods for enterprise-grade network protection.
How is this wireless LAN controller mounted in a network rack?
The CW9800M features a rack-mountable form factor designed for standard 19-inch server racks. With dimensions of 1.73 inches in height (1U), 17.30 inches in width, and 18.40 inches in depth, it occupies minimal rack space while providing centralized management capabilities for distributed wireless networks.
What management protocols are available for network integration?
The controller supports multiple management protocols including SNMPv1/v2c/v3 for monitoring, HTTP and HTTPS for web-based configuration, SSH for secure command-line access, RADIUS for authentication, DHCP for address assignment, and ICMP/ARP for network discovery and communication.