it_user172002 - PeerSpot reviewer
Specialist IT Consultant with 1,001-5,000 employees
Vendor
Management & Monitoring features need to be improved. Integration with other Cisco products is helpful.

What is most valuable?

There are many valuable features including security, availability, scalability, integration With Cisco products, WEB Portal for guest users, and Cleanair.

How has it helped my organization?

The main improvement was the mobility of Notebooks, Tablets, SmartPhones and Warehouse functions.

What needs improvement?

Management, and Monitoring features need to be improved and the inclusion of a Cloud-based solution.

For how long have I used the solution?

4 years

Buyer's Guide
Cisco Wireless
May 2024
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Wireless. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2024.
770,616 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What was my experience with deployment of the solution?

Remote APs cannot work without Main Controller when using 802.1x Authentication.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

No issues encountered.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

No issues were encountered.

How are customer service and support?

It was OK! We had some problems and always checked them with the TAC.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We used MOTOROLA/SYMBOL. It is an solution with no innovation and less features than Cisco Wireless Solution.

How was the initial setup?

No, It was simple.

What about the implementation team?

I am an consultant and I implement for our clients.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Motorola and Aruba.

What other advice do I have?

That is a good solution, pay attention on Compatibility Matrix with some APs.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Cisco Select Partner
PeerSpot user
ICT Infrastructure Architect at a energy/utilities company with 501-1,000 employees
Real User
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.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Wireless
May 2024
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Wireless. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2024.
770,616 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Senior Manager at a tech vendor with 11-50 employees
MSP
Allows us to logically to segregate traffic between multiple types of endpoint devices
Pros and Cons
  • "Cisco Wireless technology allows us to logically segregate networks, to segregate the traffic between multiple types of endpoint devices, connected to the network. For example, corporate laptops are connected to one network, corporate iPhones will go through a different network."
  • "With Cisco Wireless we have DNA technology for the frequency in which it operates, so that in case of any frequency interference it can look for and switch to another frequency, where there no interference."

    What is our primary use case?

    Cisco Wireless FlexConnect mode is for branches where the traffic can be switched locally. There is centralized switching for the corporate side where the wireless controller will be in the headquarters, and the branches will only have access points. We have the flexibility to use Cisco's FlexConnect for the branches and centralized switching for the corporate network. Combining these feature ensures the traffic flow for the wireless is being controlled and provides the best wireless scenario for the branches. You don’t need to go to the controller each and every time.

    How has it helped my organization?

    Cisco Wireless technology allows us to logically segregate networks, to segregate the traffic between multiple types of endpoint devices, connected to the network. For example, corporate laptops are connected to one network, corporate iPhones will go through a different network.

    What is most valuable?

    With Cisco Wireless we have DNA technology for the frequency in which it operates, so that in case of any frequency interference it can look for and switch to another frequency, where there no interference.

    Another feature of Cisco Wireless is that we are able to operate APs in multiple frequencies by grouping the APs into multiple groups, so we can operate the wireless in one group at 2.4 gigahertz and the other group at 5 gigahertz. This allows us to group the APs based on the business case or on the bandwidth.

    What needs improvement?

    There are a couple of shortcomings in Cisco Wireless right now. I don't see a policy model for the wireless technology solution. If Cisco could bring the wireless architecture around with the controls, it would lead to being able to fine-tune the configuration a little better.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    Cisco Wireless' stability is quite good as of now. The recent APs are coming with a backbone of up to 5 MBPS throughput, and that is quite okay.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    The scalability is good.

    How is customer service and technical support?

    The technical support is good.

    How was the initial setup?

    We need to do a site survey, AP placement, and wireless configuration: Which are we going to configure, how are we going to get it authenticated, how will we go into control? So we need to have a plan. That's not only for Cisco, it's true for whichever wireless we need to deploy. We need to have a proper plan in place, but configuration-wise it is straightforward. It is simple.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    The shortlist was Aruba and Cisco. The features are more or less the same, but the cost is also important.

    What other advice do I have?

    Cisco Wireless has been around for quite some time. Cisco is a leader and its Wireless product is very reliable, so investing in it is a safe bet.

    I would rate this solution at eight out of 10 because of the availability of support, and its stability.

    My most important criteria when selecting a vendor are the 

    • product knowledge
    • support from the vendor and the availability of the technical staff to support it.
    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    it_user172665 - PeerSpot reviewer
    Network Engineer with 51-200 employees
    MSP
    Simple to have a guest network but cost could be improved

    What is most valuable?

    Unified management, reporting, stability, and most importantly seamless roaming

    How has it helped my organization?

    Network wide SSID’s and passkeys help the day to day function of the IT staff. Simple to have a guest network.

    What needs improvement?

    The cost could be improved.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    2 Years

    What was my experience with deployment of the solution?

    Deployment for the WLAN controllers is very simple with a proper plan of your organization’s requirements. I have deployed this across large university campuses, vpn tunnels, and small businesses.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    I have had very few issues with appliances or access points dropping off.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    This goes back to properly planning your deployment. The smaller WLAN controller’s don’t grow well.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    Customer Service:

    10 out of 10

    Technical Support:

    10 out of 10

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    I haven’t switched anyone but we do often deploy Ubiquiti Unifi equipment for our smaller clients

    How was the initial setup?

    Like all things Cisco, this can be as simple or complex as you want it. Most implementations are very simple to start.

    What about the implementation team?

    It is done in-house.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    We evaluated Aruba, Ruckus, and Ubiquiti.

    What other advice do I have?

    Do your research! Make sure this product fits your needs.

    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Cisco Partner
    PeerSpot user
    it_user195360 - PeerSpot reviewer
    it_user195360Senior Consultant at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
    Consultant

    Cisco's TAC is, in my opinion, is one of the best support teams of the world. Cisco uses to invest a lot of resources in research and development, including TAC. About other topics, reading of release notes before doing the upgrade is extremely recommended since some features may face deactivation or malfunction. Embedded captive portal is simple but it works smoothly.

    IT Manager at a tech vendor with 51-200 employees
    Real User
    Great mobility but a little outdated
    Pros and Cons
    • "The mobility that it provides is really helpful."
    • "It's end-of-life, it will be end-of-support in the next two years. The APs are also end-of-life."

    What is most valuable?

    The mobility that it provides is really helpful. It's one full network of about 15 APs and they're all connected together; the users can move seamlessly between them.

    What needs improvement?

    Overall, it's a pretty good solution; however, it's end-of-life, it will be end-of-support in the next two years. The APs are also end-of-life. I was considering upgrading this year, however, we're planning to move to a new office and I don't want to buy new equipment just to install it in our current office, and then have to dismantle everything and move it to the new office. We just want to buy something that is useful for us.

    The model that we have is about eight or ten years old; I'm sure the marketplace has changed a lot since then. It's good but outdated, there are other features that could be better.

    The latest models, of course, have better WiFi capabilities. Our access points support 2.4 and 5 GHz. We're looking for the new AX or AC models for WiFi. I believe there is more speed with those kinds of connections.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using Cisco Wireless for about three years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    It's stable. It's working fine. There are some issues regarding moving the equipment. Otherwise, every three months or so we have an AP that hangs and we just restart it, that's it. Otherwise, everything's working fine.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    We haven't contacted support from Cisco.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    We have some other access points, but they are normal, standard APs. For our branch office, we use fat APs, just normal wireless outlets from off-the-shelf, like D-Link and so on. 

    How was the initial setup?

    I haven't set them up myself. There was an IT team before I started administering this network and they set up everything before me. I just received the network as it is. I just added the APs and moved them from one area to another.

    What other advice do I have?

    Cisco Wireless is good. On a scale from one to ten, I would give them a rating of seven, although to give a more accurate rating, I would need to experience something else to compare it to. I'm considering sticking with Cisco, unless I find other models that can give better performance. Cisco has a few types of models: the standard Cisco, the normal Cisco, and the Meraki one. I'm not sure if Meraki would be a better solution for us, or if the standard Cisco Wireless controller would be better. That's why I went to your website — to find other solutions and read comparisons about them.

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    Senior Network Administrator at Lebanese American Univeristy
    User
    Device profiling allows us to have different policies applied, but many wireless controllers' firmware have bugs in their new releases
    Pros and Cons
    • "Device profiling allows us to have different policies applied by ISE to wireless clients."
    • "Many wireless controllers' firmware have bugs in their new releases, which are not stable, especially in an environment with many wireless AP (WAP) types."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use it for WiFi for Internet, Intranet access, and VOIP in a high density area campus environment.

    How has it helped my organization?

    Wireless Voice over IP (VOIP) on a diversity of VOIP phones along with Cisco Jabber, Cisco phones, and Ascom.

    What is most valuable?

    Device profiling allows us to have different policies applied by ISE to wireless clients.

    What needs improvement?

    Many wireless controllers' firmware have bugs in their new releases, which are not stable, especially in an environment with many wireless AP (WAP) types.

    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.
    PeerSpot user
    Principal Engineer at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees
    Real User
    Good architecture and has improved antennas
    Pros and Cons
    • "Cisco's technical support is very good, I've never had an issue with their technical support."
    • "The licensing models need to be reviewed in some instances. Obviously Cisco's licensing models are quite challenging, and it can be costly."

    What is most valuable?

    Cisco Wireless has improved in terms of the Tri-Band and the Two-Band, those types of two antennas. We've been happy with the architecture and the solution for some time. 

    What needs improvement?

    Obviously there are new requirements around WPA-3 and Wi-Fi 6, more wireless assurance, and those types of things. So we're looking at all of those options in terms of their next product suite.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I'm not a wireless engineer but we've had Cisco Wireless at the company for a long time, about 20 odd years. We're now looking at replacing the Wireless architecture.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    Cisco Wireless is stable.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    From a scalability point of view, there is a cost component which needs to be looked at and reviewed, but from a technical scalability point of view I think it ticks all the boxes.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    Cisco's technical support is very good, I've never had an issue with their technical support.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    Cisco has several pricing models. I think things have gotten more expensive due to the economic climate around COVID and things like that for most vendors now.

    Everybody is price-sensitive. I'm just the partner, so I'm looking at the solutions for the client. I'm not the customer. The customer, obviously, would say cheap is better and because a lot of people are price sensitive now they're trying to get as much value as they can at a good price.

    What other advice do I have?

    I'm not a wireless expert, but we've been running Cisco Wireless for a long time. On a scale of one to ten, I would definitely give them an eight.

    I think the licensing models need to be reviewed in some instances. Obviously Cisco's licensing models are quite challenging, and it can be costly. Those are the two things to check.

    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
    PeerSpot user
    Junior Network Engineer at Easy Systems
    Real User
    A stable solution, but installation is complex
    Pros and Cons
    • "It is a stable solution."
    • "Installation is complex."

    What is our primary use case?

    Our customers use Cisco Wireless for networking and WiFi.

    What is most valuable?

    It is a stable solution.

    What needs improvement?

    Installation is complex and should be easier. 

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I've been dealing with Cisco Wireless for two years. We have two customers who use it.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    It is a stable solution.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    Technical support is average.

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial setup is complex and took about one day.

    What other advice do I have?

    I would recommend this solution.

    On a scale from one to ten, I would rate Cisco Wireless at five.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Integrator
    PeerSpot user
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    Updated: May 2024
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