Triton Rundown: Cisco WiFi6 & WiFi6E Access Points
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Welcome to the Triton Rundown, where we give you a snapshot overview of products to improve your network.
As we rely more on fast, stable wireless connections for everything from streaming and gaming to remote work and smart homes, upgrading to WiFi 6 (802.11ax) is a smart move. But with so many access points on the market, how do you choose the right one?
What Is WiFi 6—and Why Should You Care?
WiFi 6 is the latest generation of wireless networking technology, offering:
Higher speeds with lower latency
WiFi6 lets everyone connected on your network be able to handle multiple streams of high quality data with minimal jitter or interruptions. The uplink capabilities bridge the gap from gigabit to multi-gigabit to support the demand for more from your wireless network.
Increased capacity for multiple devices
More on-device connections means WiFi6 is a must-have for juggling the demands of smart homes and the internet of things, as well as being able to better serve office environments where each employee uses the wifi for their laptop, cell phone, and desk phone
Better performance in dense environments
WiFi6 brings higher capacity, while WiFi6E adds the 6GHz radio band — more space for connections than ever before! This means your smartphones, laptops, wearables and internet of things devices can all share the same network with less lag. Certain models can even extend battery life for those devices by automatically retuning their radios to avoid interference. The expansion space on the 6GHz band varies by country / regulatory domain.
Simultaneous Throughput
Higher Multi-user Multi-In / Multi-Out capabilities (MU-MIMO) mean more users are able to communicate through the same access point simultaneously.
Beamforming
Many WiFi6 access points have the ability to automatically fine-tune their radio responsiveness to better connect devices at the edges of their reception area.
You can view our selection of WiFi6 & WiFi6E access points here
Or you can browse our full list of access points here.
Cisco Catalyst 9105
The most economical entry into the WiFi6 access point market, the C9105AX access point is also the least power-hungry. It's designed for hospitality, dormitory, and fully-featured apartment living situations, and has internal antennas.
It features 3 integrated radios for 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and Bluetooth communications, and sports a 1-gigabit ethernet uplink.
It has variations for ceiling and wall mount models.
Links:
C9105AXI-B (for United States)
Cisco Catalyst 9115
The 9115 is a WiFi6 model designed for mid-sized deployments. It features 4x4:4 MU-MIMO when powered via PoE+ (30W PoE) or 2x2:2 MU-MIMO when powered via standard 15W PoE.
It features 3 integrated radios for 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and Bluetooth communications, and sports a 2.5-gigabit ethernet uplink.
It has variations for internal & external antenna connections
Links:
C9115AXI-B (Internal Antennas, for United States)
Cisco Catalyst 9120
The 9120 is a WiFi6 model designed for mid- to large-sized deployments. It features 4x4:4 MU-MIMO when powered via PoE+ or 2x2:2 MU-MIMO when powered via standard 15W PoE.
It features 4 integrated radios - a dedicated 5GHz radio, a variable 2.4GHz / 5GHz radio, a Bluetooth radio for IoT integration, and an integrated Cisco RF ASIC (software-defined radio) that can perform advanced RF spectrum analysis - and sports a 2.5-gigabit ethernet uplink.
It has variations for internal & external antennas, as well as one for professional installations. This model of access point was used for portions of the PGA tour.
Links:
C9120AXI-B (Internal Antennas, for United States)
C9120AXI-A (Internal Antennas, for North America other than USA)
C9120AXI-E (Internal Antennas, for Europe)
C9120AXE-B (External Antennas, for United States)
C9120AXP-B (Professional Installations, for United States)
Cisco Catalyst 9130
The 9130 is a WiFi6 model designed for large-scale deployments. It features 8x8:8 MU-MIMO when powered via Cisco UPOE or PoE+ and 2x2:2 MU-MIMO when powered via PoE.
It features 5 integrated radios - one 2.4GHz, two 5GHz, a Bluetooth radio for IoT integration, and an integrated Cisco RF ASIC (software-defined radio) that can perform advanced RF spectrum analysis - and sports a 5-gigabit ethernet uplink.
It has variations for internal and external antennas, as well as a variation for use in stadiums. This model of access point was used for portions of the PGA tour.
Links:
C9130AXI-B (Internal Antennas, for United States)
C9130AXI-A (Internal Antennas, for North America other than USA)
C9130AXI-E (Internal Antennas, for Europe)
C9130AXE-B (External Antennas, for United States)
C9130AXE-A (External Antennas, for North America other than USA)
C9130AXE-E (External Antennas, for Europe)
Our UPOE-capable switch collection
Cisco Catalyst 9136
The 9136 is a WiFi6E model designed for large, high-density deployments. When powered via Cisco UPOE, it provides 8x8:8 MU-MIMO with a 5-gigabit uplink; when powered via PoE+, it can do 4x4:4 MU-MIMO and a 2.5 gigabit uplink speed. It is an indoor access point with internal antennas.
It features 6 integrated radios - one 2.4GHz, two 5GHz, one 6GHz, a Bluetooth radio for IoT integration, and an integrated Cisco RF ASIC (software-defined radio) that can perform advanced RF spectrum analysis.
Links:
C9136I-A (for North America other than USA)
Our UPOE-capable switch collection
Cisco Catalyst 9166
The 9166 is a WiFi6E model designed for large, mission-critical deployments. When powered via UPOE or PoE+, it provides 4x4:4 MU-MIMO with a 2.5 gigabit uplink speed; It is an indoor access point with internal, omnidirectional antennas.
It features 5 integrated radios - one 2.4GHz, one 5GHz, one 6GHz, a Bluetooth radio for IoT integration, and an integrated Cisco RF ASIC (software-defined radio) that can perform advanced RF spectrum analysis.
