United States
Q
What is the Cisco 5500 Series WLAN Controller?
A
The Cisco 5500 Series WLAN Controller is a high-performance, enterprise-grade device designed to centrally manage and secure thousands of Access Points and wireless clients with advanced RF and policy controls.
Q
What are the key features of the 5500 Series WLAN Controller?
A
Key features include centralized RF management, policy enforcement, deep packet inspection, seamless roaming, high-availability clustering, and integrated security services like rogue detection and intrusion prevention.
Q
How many Access Points can a single 5500 Series Controller support?
A
A single Cisco 5500 Series Controller supports up to 1500 Access Points, enabling scalable deployments for large campuses and distributed enterprises.
Q
What is the maximum number of concurrent client sessions?
A
The 5500 Series WLAN Controller supports up to 20,000 concurrent client sessions, ensuring reliable connectivity and performance in high-density environments.
Q
Does the 5500 Series support high availability?
A
Yes. The 5500 Series offers N+1 and 1+1 high-availability modes with stateful failover, providing uninterrupted wireless services during controller maintenance or hardware failures.
Q
Which security protocols are supported by the 5500 Series?
A
The 5500 Series supports WPA2-Enterprise, WPA3-Enterprise, 802.1X authentication, MAC filtering, rogue AP detection, and integrated IDS/IPS for comprehensive wireless security.
Q
What deployment models are available for the 5500 Series?
A
Deployment models include standalone mode, Mobility Express for lightweight branch deployments, and integrated Cisco Prime Infrastructure management for large campuses and data centers.
Q
How do I manage and configure the 5500 Series Controller?
A
Management is performed via a web-based GUI, CLI, SNMP, or Cisco Prime Infrastructure, allowing streamlined configuration, monitoring, and policy enforcement across multiple controllers.
Q
What licensing options are offered for the 5500 Series?
A
The 5500 Series uses device-based and feature-based licensing, including Base, Advance, and Apex tiers, to match performance and feature requirements with predictable subscription and perpetual models.
Q
Can the 5500 Series integrate with cloud management platforms?
A
Yes. It integrates with Cisco Meraki Cloud and Cisco DNA Center, enabling centralized policy, analytics, and automation for hybrid on-premises and cloud-managed networks.
Q
What network interfaces and throughput does the 5500 Series provide?
A
The 5500 Series offers multiple 1/10 Gbps SFP+ uplinks, redundant management ports, and up to 40 Gbps throughput to accommodate high-bandwidth wireless traffic.
Q
How do I upgrade the firmware on a 5500 Series Controller?
A
Firmware can be upgraded through the web GUI or CLI by uploading the Cisco IOS image; the controller supports rolling upgrades with minimal service interruption.
Q
What redundancy features are built into the 5500 Series?
A
Redundancy features include dual power supplies, redundant fans, hot-swappable modules, and stateful controller clustering to ensure continuous wireless service.
Q
What common use cases does the 5500 Series address?
A
Typical use cases include large enterprise campuses, higher education, hospitality, healthcare, and retail environments requiring high-density coverage, security, and seamless mobility.
Q
What are the power and environmental specifications?
A
The 5500 Series consumes up to 200W, supports AC inputs, operates at 0–40°C ambient temperature, and meets NEBS and ETSI standards for enterprise and service-provider environments.
Q
What warranty and support options are available?
A
Cisco offers a one-year limited hardware warranty, with optional SMARTnet Service for 24x7 hardware replacement, software updates, and technical support.
