United States$5,000,000+
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Justin Baker
5
Powerful controller with excellent throughput.
AIR-CT5520-K9
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CISCO 5520 WL CONTROLLER W/RACK MNT KIT
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Name:
AIR-CT5520-K9
- Description:
- CISCO 5520 WL CONTROLLER W/RACK MNT KIT
- Rating:
Added to cart 28 times recently
- Availability:
In stock - Ready to Ship
- Brand:
- Cisco
- GTIN:
- 88442623612
- Condition:
- Warranty:
- 3
- List Price:
$27,332.00
- Price:
$9,204.0066.3% off
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1
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AIR-CT5520-K9 Overview
AIR-CT5520-K9 is a high-performance wireless controller engineered to manage large-scale wireless networks with robust security and seamless integration. Designed for enterprise environments, it delivers reliable management through a comprehensive suite of features—including CLI, SNMP, and a web-based GUI—and supports advanced security protocols such as WPA2, WPA3, and 802.1X.
Optimized for rack mount installations in data centers and campus environments, this controller efficiently handles high-density deployments by managing up to 6000 access points and 64,000 clients. Its scalable architecture, multi-gigabit Ethernet connectivity via dual RJ-45 ports, and AC adapter power supply make it an ideal solution for large offices, campuses, and data centers requiring dependable centralized wireless management.
AIR-CT5520-K9 price is $9,204.00, a 66.3% saving from the Cisco list price of $27,332.00. AIR-CT5520-K9 is in stock and available for next-day dispatch. (terms applied)
Request bulk order quote for AIR-CT5520-K9 for additional pricing. Browse the full Cisco Wlan Controller series or explore all Cisco products.
AIR-CT5520-K9 Specifications
- Width
- 17 inches
- Depth
- 16 inches
- Wi-Fi Standard
- N/A
- Height
- 1U
- Max Range
- N/A
- Coverage Area
- N/A
- Connector Type
- RJ-45
- Antenna Gain
- N/A
- Protocols Supported
- 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
- Compliance
- FCC, CE, RoHS
- Outdoor Use
- No
- Mesh Networking
- N/A
- Security Features
- WPA2, WPA3, 802.1X, VPN
- Beamforming
- N/A
- MIMO Technology
- N/A
- Ethernet Port
- 2x Gigabit
- Data Rate
- N/A
- Antenna Type
- N/A
- Wireless Type
- N/A
- Frequency Bands
- N/A
- Power Supply
- AC Adapter
- Mounting Options
- Rack Mount
- Product Type
- Wireless Controller
- Max Number of Devices Supported
- 6000
- Management Features
- CLI, SNMP, Web GUI
- Processor
- Multi-core 2.4GHz
- Memory
- 8GB
- Product Name
- Cisco AIR-CT5520-K9 Wireless Controller
- Weight
- Approx. 22 lbs
AIR-CT5520-K9 Use Case
Enterprise Campus Wi-Fi Scalability and Security
Scenario: A multinational corporation deploys 800+ Cisco Aironet APs across a 200-building campus to support 15,000+ concurrent users. The AIR-CT5520-K9 Controller with rack-mount kit centralizes configuration, enforces WPA3 and 802.1X authentication, and enables seamless roaming between buildings. Benefit: Delivers 40 Gbps aggregate throughput, reduces configuration drift by 90%, and enforces enterprise-grade security policies—ensuring consistent performance and compliance across all sites.
High-Density Venue Wireless Operations
Scenario: A major convention center and stadium hosts events with up to 50,000 devices streaming HD video and interactive apps. The Cisco 5520 WL Controller with rack mount kit orchestrates 1,200-AP deployments, applies RF-resource management and airtime fairness, and integrates with Cisco DNA Analytics for real-time client insights. Benefit: Achieves sub-50 ms roaming, optimizes spectrum usage for 200% higher client density, and provides actionable analytics—driving superior fan experiences and accelerating venue monetization.
Retail Chain Multi-Site Rollout and PCI Compliance
Scenario: A nationwide retailer with 300 branches needs secure POS, guest Wi-Fi, and inventory IoT connectivity. The AIR-CT5520-K9 controller rack module enables zero-touch provisioning, network segmentation via Cisco TrustSec, and centralized firmware updates. Benefit: Cuts site go-live time by 70%, maintains PCI-DSS compliance through consistent policy enforcement, and lowers OPEX by 30%—ensuring fast, secure transactions and unified network visibility.
Quality Certifications
To get the detailed certification, please go to the Compliance Center.
Product Comparison Table 
| AIR-CT5520-K9 |  AIR-CT8510-SPK9-RF |  AIR-CT7510-300-K9 |  C1-AIR-CT3504-K9 |  AIR-CT8510-6K-K9 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product Type | Wireless Controller | Wireless Product | Wireless Access Point | Wireless LAN Controller | Wireless Access Point |
| Wireless Type | N/A | Access Point | Access Point | N/A | Access Point |
| Wi-Fi Standard | N/A | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | N/A | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Frequency Bands | N/A | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | 2.4GHz, 5GHz | N/A | 2.4GHz / 5GHz |
| Data Rate | N/A | 1Gbps | 300Mbps | N/A | Up to 1Gbps |
| Max Range | N/A | 100 meters | N/A | N/A | 100 meters (indoor) |
| Coverage Area | N/A | 2000 square feet | N/A | N/A | 2000 square feet |
| Connector Type | RJ-45 | RJ-45 | RJ-45 | Gigabit Ethernet | RJ-45 |
| Antenna Type | N/A | Omnidirectional | Omnidirectional | N/A | Internal Omnidirectional |
| Antenna Gain | N/A | 5dBi | N/A | N/A | 5dBi |
| MIMO Technology | N/A | MU-MIMO | MU-MIMO | N/A | MU-MIMO |
| Beamforming | N/A | Yes | Yes | N/A | Yes |
| Mounting Options | Rack Mount | Ceiling Mount / Wall Mount | Ceiling Mount, Wall Mount | Rack Mount | Ceiling Mount / Wall Mount |
| Power Supply | AC Adapter | PoE | PoE | AC Adapter | PoE |
| Mesh Networking | N/A | No | No | N/A | No |
| Ethernet Port | 2x Gigabit | 1x Gigabit | 1x Gigabit | 2x Gigabit | 1x Gigabit |
| Max Number of Devices Supported | 6000 | 128 | N/A | 500 | 128 |
| Protocols Supported | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | TCP/IP, SNMP, SSH | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Management Features | CLI, SNMP, Web GUI | Cloud Management / On-Premises / SNMP | On-Premises, SNMP | Centralized management, Web-based interface, CLI, SNMP | Cloud Management / On-Premises / SNMP |
| Security Features | WPA2, WPA3, 802.1X, VPN | WPA2 / WPA3 / 802.1X | WPA2, WPA3 | 802.1X, RADIUS, TACACS+ | WPA2 / WPA3 / 802.1X |
| Compliance | FCC, CE, RoHS | FCC / CE / RoHS | FCC, CE, RoHS | FCC, CE, RoHS | FCC / CE / RoHS |
| Processor | Multi-core 2.4GHz | Quad-Core 1.2GHz | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Memory | 8GB | 1GB | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Outdoor Use | No | No | No | No | No |
| Product Name | Cisco AIR-CT5520-K9 Wireless Controller | AIR-CT8510-SPK9-RF | AIR-CT7510-300-K9 | Cisco 3504 Wireless Controller | AIR-CT8510-6K-K9 |
| Height | 1U | 1.5 inches | N/A | N/A | 1.5 inches |
| Width | 17 inches | 7 inches | N/A | N/A | 9.5 inches |
| Depth | 16 inches | 7 inches | N/A | N/A | 8 inches |
| Weight | Approx. 22 lbs | 1.8 lbs | N/A | N/A | 2.5 lbs |
| Wi‑Fi Standard |
Reviews & Ratings
S
Saba Qureshi
4
Handled dense WLAN smoothly.
M
Marco Silva
4
Stable and scalable.
H
Helen Brooks
5
Good long term investment.
N
Noman Ashraf
5
Very satisfied.
Questions & Answers
What is the Cisco 5520 Wireless LAN Controller?
The Cisco 5520 Wireless LAN Controller (SKU: AIR-CT5520-K9) delivers scalable, secure wireless LAN management with up to 1.5 Gbps throughput and support for 1,500 access points. It includes a rack-mount kit and advanced RF, security, and management capabilities.
How many access points does the Cisco 5520 support?
The Cisco 5520 supports up to 1,500 Cisco access points per controller, enabling high-density campus and branch deployments with centralized configuration and seamless scalability for thousands of wireless clients.
What throughput performance does the Cisco 5520 deliver?
The controller provides up to 1.5 Gbps of bidirectional throughput, optimizing network performance for data-intensive applications, VoIP, and HD video streaming across medium to large enterprise environments.
Which software version does the Cisco 5520 run?
It runs Cisco AireOS 8.3 or later, offering advanced RF management, client services, segmentation, and policy enforcement. Upgrade paths ensure compatibility with existing Cisco controller deployments.
Does the Cisco 5520 include a rack-mount kit?
Yes. The Cisco 5520 ships with a 1RU rack-mount kit compatible with standard 19-inch server racks, simplifying installation and maximizing data center space efficiency.
What security features are supported by the Cisco 5520?
It includes integrated threat defense with Cisco CleanAir, rogue AP detection, malware protection, Cisco TrustSec segmentation, location services, and WPA3 encryption for comprehensive wireless security.
How does licensing work for the Cisco 5520?
Licensing is based on AP count and feature tiers (LAN Base, LAN Plus, or Apex). Cisco Smart Licensing streamlines entitlement tracking and automated compliance via the Cisco Smart Software Manager portal.
What are the power requirements for the Cisco 5520?
It operates on dual internal AC power supplies (100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz) with a maximum power draw of 350 W. Redundant power supplies ensure high availability in critical environments.
What redundancy options are available for high availability?
Deploy two Cisco 5520 controllers in Stateful Switchover (SSO) or N+1 mode. SSO provides real-time session and configuration synchronization for seamless failover and zero downtime.
How many VLANs can the Cisco 5520 support?
The controller supports up to 4,096 VLANs, enabling advanced multi-tenancy, traffic segmentation, and granular policy enforcement across distributed enterprise networks.
What management and monitoring tools are integrated?
The Cisco 5520 integrates with Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Cisco DNA Center for unified configuration, monitoring, analytics, troubleshooting, and lifecycle automation through a centralized GUI.
Is the Cisco 5520 compatible with other Cisco access points?
Yes. It supports all Cisco Unified Access Points (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax) and CAPWAP-compliant third-party APs, ensuring interoperability and simplified onboarding across your WLAN deployment.
What warranty and support options are available?
The unit includes a 1-year limited hardware warranty with next-business-day replacement. Cisco Smart Net Total Care offers 24×7 technical support, software updates, and advanced hardware replacement.
Can the Cisco 5520 integrate with Cisco DNA Center?
Yes. Full integration with Cisco DNA Center enables policy-based automation, assurance, network analytics, and intent-based workflows, accelerating deployment and optimizing wireless performance.
What are the physical dimensions and cooling requirements?
The Cisco 5520 is 1.74" H × 17.5" W × 11.5" D (1RU) with front-to-back airflow. Maintain ambient temperatures of 32°F–104°F and proper rack ventilation for optimal operation.