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it_user173814 - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager, IT Infrastructure at a computer software company with 501-1,000 employees
Vendor
The ability to group APs to specific VLANs gives us a lot of flexibility. The GUI needs work.

What is most valuable?

  • Scalability
  • Enterprise Wireless Mesh
  • Number of interfaces
  • High Performance Video

How has it helped my organization?

In our company we have employees spread across multiple floors which requires more APs than we originally have. This new WLAN Controller accommodates us very well. It also has the great feature of grouping APs to specific VLANs which gives us a lot of flexibility.

What needs improvement?

Overall i haven't had any major complaints. I have noticed though when grouping interfaces, sometimes if you need to delete a previously created interface group there can be glitches. The GUI can be improved on.

For how long have I used the solution?

This specific model (Cisco 5508 Wireless Controller ) - 1 year

Cisco WLAN controller in general - over 10 years

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Cisco Wireless
August 2025
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What was my experience with deployment of the solution?

No. The setup was pretty simple and straight forward.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

None encountered.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

None encountered.

How are customer service and support?

Customer Service:

They do just fine.

Technical Support:

Very good. On the 2 occasions that I had to contact support I got immediate assistance and the reps were very knowledgeable and able to resolve my issues in little to no time.

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

We have always used Cisco.

How was the initial setup?

The intial setup was very straight forward. Like most of Cisco devices the initial setup asks you some questions and you can select what you want to use as default or change. I did the preliminary setup then everything else from the GUI.

What about the implementation team?

Implementation was done in-house.

What was our ROI?

The increased productivity and low downtime from the wireless network is worth every cent spent. The different teams can roam the building while staying connected.....100%

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

The initial set-up cost including the device was approximately $7500. There is no day-to-day cost besides the power it uses since the device just about maintains itself. Unless adding new APs or subnets to the wireless network there is no need to touch the controller really.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

No, we stuck we Cisco since that's what we have been using all these years.

What other advice do I have?

No, we stuck we Cisco since that's what we have been using all these years.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Cisco Partner
PeerSpot user
it_user172686 - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Administrator & Information at a media company with 501-1,000 employees
Vendor
Have clear ideas about the requirements or goals for the company before implementation

What is most valuable?

The easy way to integrate it with the existing network. Also, at the implementation, the simple management of the access points in a centrally console.

How has it helped my organization?

Before the implementation in 2006, we had 20 stand-alone access points where the administration tasks were complicated; any change has to be made in each AP.

For how long have I used the solution?

Since August 2006.

What was my experience with deployment of the solution?

Not really.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Until now they are very stable, but in some cases in which we had a problem there was a fix to solve the problem.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

No issues encountered.

How are customer service and technical support?

Customer Service:

Good, 9 out of 10

Technical Support:

Good, 9 out of 10

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

No, this product is the only one I have used.

How was the initial setup?

As in the majority of new implementations there is a lack of knowledge of the products, but with some time and a lot readings at the end was easily.

What about the implementation team?

It was a mixed schema; the case study and the initial implementation was made by a vendor, then, the tune up was made by us.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

No, it was the only one because all the network infrastructure is Cisco: Total compatibility.

What other advice do I have?

Have clear ideas about the requirements or goals for the company before implementation and have a good case study.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
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Cisco Wireless
August 2025
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PeerSpot user
Senior Manager of Network at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees
Consultant
Reliable product. Ability to handle huge amounts of traffic needs to be improved.

What is most valuable?

No configuration required on access points and better monitoring.

How has it helped my organization?

We have been deploying in different companies and their wireless communication has improved.

What needs improvement?

Access Points are unable to handle huge traffic and if one user start downloading other user bandwidth speed is affected.

For how long have I used the solution?

Multiple Times.

4402, 4404, 5508

What was my experience with deployment of the solution?

Yes we did have issues. The start access points were unable to join the controller but we managed.

There was an issue with User Authentication with lDAP.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

None encountered.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

None encountered.

How are customer service and technical support?

Customer Service:

It was good.

Technical Support:

It was good.

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

Our customer used Linksys access points and they had problems with their connection so they decided for WLAN.

How was the initial setup?

Start the controller. The initial setup process will start the you need to configure multiple parameters, and the configuration is done.

What about the implementation team?

I implemented myself for multiple companies.

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

No day-to-day cost.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Yes different WLAN Controller models.

What other advice do I have?

Good product and good reliability

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
it_user195360 - PeerSpot reviewer
it_user195360Senior Consultant at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Consultant

About you just said regarding "room for improvement", you have to understand that this behavior is expected for some 802.11 standards. It has nothing to do with Cisco solution. I mean, it's a 802.11 feature. To avoid such thing, you should try 802.11n (MIMO) and 802.11ac. Plus, avoid simply turning the controller on and leaving the parameters as default. Wireless products MUST be customized to your scenario and needs.

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_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

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 technical 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
DevOps System Engineer at Monash University
Real User
A fast, easy to use, scalable and stable solution with easy installation and good customer support
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is easy to use and its stable."
  • "The price could be better."

What is our primary use case?

I utilize it as a Wi-Fi solution for personal use. 

What is most valuable?

The solution is easy to use and its stable. I like its quality. 

What needs improvement?

The price could be better.  

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Cisco Wireless for two or three years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is certainly scalable. 

How are customer service and technical support?

Cisco support is good.

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

Prior to using the solution, I used Aruba.

How was the initial setup?

The installation was easy. It took around ten minutes. 

What about the implementation team?

We handled the installion on our own. 

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

The solution does not come with a licensing fee. 

What other advice do I have?

There are many users making use of the solution in Taiwan. 

The solution offers fast response time. 

I rate Cisco Wireless as an eight out of ten. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1559886 - PeerSpot reviewer
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
reviewer1307829 - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical Support Manager at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Reseller
Highly reliable, stable, scalable and easy install documentation
Pros and Cons
  • "The customer always feels confident with the solution because of its reliability."
  • "In the future, it would be great if the solution had a GPS feature that could have the ability through access points to locate cell phone users inside a local wireless network, for example in a stadium."

What is our primary use case?

Our main customer of the Cisco wireless is in the retail sector, for example, Walmart.

What is most valuable?

The customer always feels confident with the solution because of its reliability. 

What needs improvement?

In the future, it would be great if the solution had a GPS feature that could have the ability through access points to locate cell phone users inside a local wireless network, for example in a stadium. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for approximately twenty years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability is very good.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have never had an issue with scalability with this product. Our customers are medium to large size organizations. We have found that small businesses discontinue using the solution more often than larger companies who tend to remains using it.

How are customer service and technical support?

The support has been good for us.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was easy, the documentation is good.

What about the implementation team?

The deployment can take one day if the network is small but if it is a larger network it could take a while longer. When we have issues with security the process becomes more complex, taking more time.

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

The product could be priced better.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend before implementation, administrators must know the exact number of users.

I rate Cisco Wireless a ten out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Reseller
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