A WLAN is a wireless architecture that aims to meet changing network demands. A WLAN controller manages wireless network access points that allow wireless devices to connect to the network.
What a wireless access point does for your network is similar to what an amplifier does for your home stereo. It takes the bandwidth coming from a router and stretches it so that many devices can go on the network from farther distances away.
Simply put: yes. It's important to choose the right type of deployment and to make sure your controller matches the size of your organization.
Usually your choice of controller will depend on the number of devices that typically attach to a wireless network. A large office building that has hundreds of workers has different needs than a small business.
Some controllers, such as the Catalyst 9800-80 Wireless Controller, are built to handle the traffic of a large organization. That same controller would be overkill for a small business. Similarly, a controller like the Cisco 3504 Wireless Controller is intended for smaller business offices and manages a few access points--it would never be able to handle the day-to-day activity of a large enterprise.
Not necessarily. If your business is a small to medium-sized, if you don't have a highly skilled IT manager, or if you are on a budget, Cisco Mobility Express may be the answer.
Mobility Express, unlike a typical network, is a controllerless device. What this means is that a WLAN controller is embedded in the access point. You are able to manage the entire Wi-Fi network through an access point.
Mobility Express is easy to manage but also easy to deploy on your wireless network, including guest access. It takes under 10 minutes to deploy.
Cisco's wireless controllers are a key component of intent-based networking. This means that with an intent-based network from Cisco, your network grows more intuitive every day, because it is informed by context and powered by design.
In addition to managing access points, a WLAN controller is integral when it comes to the type of network deployment you choose. There are two deployments that use physical controllers:
Cisco WLAN controllers are state-of-the-art. They all adhere to the 802.11ac Wave 2 standard and the Catalyst controllers are ready for the upcoming standard. All controllers have fast, optimized network performance.
Flexibility is also paramount. Cisco can help scale a small, medium-sized, or large enterprise network, whether your solution involves a cloud-based controller, or an on-premises controller designed to handle your organization's needs. Catalyst cloud controllers are able to be deployed in either the public or private setting.
Security is another important consideration for any organization, with hacking and data breaches in the news every day. Cisco WLAN controllers battle all kinds of threats to your business based on user ID and location thanks to built-in security features.
Cisco Catalyst controllers are always on meaning that they limit your network’s downtime and allow for upgrades and patches to be deployed while the network is still running.
Finally, Cisco provides simplicity. With a Cisco WLAN controller, your network has a centralized hub where you can manage and control your access points.