CISCO Wireless LAN Controllers 2000 and 4400 Series Hardware View

Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers are ideal for enterprise wireless LAN deployments that require system-level security, scalability, and RF management. They leverage the Lightweight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP) and and Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) to centrally control Cisco 1000 Series Lightweight Access Points for WLAN performance optimization and automated network resiliency. The Cisco 2000 Series is ideal for small and medium-sized enterprise environments. It supports up to six lightweight access points, making it a cost-effective solution for small branch offices.

The Cisco 4400 Series is designed for medium-sized and large enterprise facilities. The Cisco 4400 Series is available in two models—the 4402 with two Gigabit Ethernet ports comes in configurations that support 12, 25, and 50 access points, and the 4404 with four Gigabit Ethernet ports supports 100 access points.

Key Features

  • Component of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network supporting lightweight access points
  • Enterprise scalability
  • Integrated Radio Resource Management (RRM)
  • Zero-configuration deployment
  • Multi-layered security
  • Rogue access point detection, location, and containment
  • Mobility management
  • Enterprise reliability
  • Intuitive management interfaces

Scalability

Up to 24 Cisco wireless LAN controllers can be placed in a single controller cluster, creating a very large wireless LAN system. Multiple clusters of controllers can be deployed throughout an enterprise for unlimited scalability.

Benefits

By managing all access points as a complete wireless LAN system, Cisco wireless LAN controllers provide maximum scalability, performance, and wireless LAN control. In addition, all Cisco wireless LAN controllers can be deployed in an N+1 configuration for cost-effective, system-level resiliency. Cisco wireless LAN controllers come equipped with embedded software with Radio Resource Management (RRM) algorithms to detect and adapt to changes in the air space in real time-creating a self-configuring, self-optimizing, and self-correcting wireless LAN environment. These adjustments create the optimal topology for wireless networking in much the same way that routing protocols compute the best possible topology for IP networks.

Security Features

  • 802.11i, Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2), WPA, and Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
  • 802.1X with multiple Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) types, including Protected EAP (PEAP), EAP with Transport Layer Security (EAP-TLS), EAP with Tunneled TLS (EAP-TTLS), and Cisco LEAP
  • VPN termination (IP Security [IPSec])

Models

AIR-WLC2006-K9






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AIR-WLC4402-12-K9 / AIR-WLC4402-25-K9 / AIR-WLC4402-50-K9




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AIR-WLC4404-100-K9






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* Above shows a Cisco 4404 controller. The Cisco 4402 controller is similar but has only two distribution system ports.

Overview of Ports and Interfaces


A port is a physical entity that is used for connections on the controller platform. Controllers have two types of ports: distribution system ports and a service port. The following figures show the ports available on each controller.

Description Service Ports Distribution System Ethernet Ports Serial Console Port
2000 series None 4 1
4402 1 2 1
4404 1 4 1
Cisco WiSM 2 (ports 9 and 10) 8 (ports 1-8) 2
NM Cisco 28/37/38xx Series ISR Routers None 1 1


Distribution System Ports


A distribution system port connects the controller to a neighbor switch and serves as the data path between these two devices.

  • Cisco 2000 series controllers have four 10/100 copper Ethernet distribution system ports through which the controller can support up to six access points.
  • Cisco 4100 series controllers have two fiber gigabit Ethernet distribution system ports through which the controller can support up to 36 access points.
  • Cisco 4402 controllers have two gigabit Ethernet distribution system ports, each of which is capable of managing up to 48 access points. However, Cisco recommends no more than 25 access points per port due to bandwidth constraints. The 4402-25 and 4402-50 models allow a total of 25 or 50 access points to join the controller.
  • Cisco 4404 controllers have four gigabit Ethernet distribution system ports, each of which is capable of managing up to 48 access points. However, Cisco recommends no more than 25 access points per port due to bandwidth constraints. The 4404-25, 4404-50, and 4404-100 models allow a total of 25, 50, or 100 access points to join the controller.

Note The gigabit Ethernet ports on the 4402 and 4404 controllers accept these SX/LC/T small form-factor plug-in (SFP) modules:

  • 1000BASE-SX SFP modules, which provide a 1000-Mbps wired connection to a network through an 850nM (SX) fiber-optic link using an LC physical connector
  • 1000BASE-LX SFP modules, which provide a 1000-Mbps wired connection to a network through a 1300nM (LX/LH) fiber-optic link using an LC physical connector
  • 1000BASE-T SFP modules, which provide a 1000-Mbps wired connection to a network through a copper link using an RJ-45 physical connector
  • The Cisco WiSM has eight gigabit Ethernet distribution system ports, which are located on the Catalyst 6500 switch backplane. Through these ports, the controller can support up to 300 access points.
  • The Controller Network Module within the Cisco 28/37/38xx Series Integrated Services Routers has one Fast Ethernet distribution system port, which is located on the router backplane. Through this port, the controller can support up to six access points.

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