Coverage Area: Approximately 5,000 sq ft (400 sq m)
Data Rate (2.4 GHz): 1.2 Gbps
Data Rate (5 GHz): 4.8 Gbps
Data Rate (6 GHz): 3.6 Gbps
Channels Supported: 160 MHz (5/6 GHz)
Curation Review
✔ Pros:Wi-Fi 6E with 6 GHz band support enables higher capacity and lower interference; 10 Gbps uplink reduces network bottlenecks; Excellent range and penetration for enterprise deployments; High client density support (250+ devices); Thread border router functionality for IoT networks; Advanced security features including 802.11w and WPA3
✘ Cons:Requires PoE++ infrastructure (95W) which may not be available in legacy setups; 6 GHz band adoption still in early stages with limited client device support; Premium pricing makes it suitable only for high-performance deployments; Configuration and management require Cisco DNA/Meraki expertise; Power consumption higher than previous generation APs
Est. Price:
$1,200 - $1,800
Compare Against
Cisco Catalyst 9178i
★ 4.3 Value Score
Technical Specifications
Switching Capacity: 204.8 Tbps (full chassis)
Forwarding Rate: 204.8 Tbps
Ports: Up to 288 u00d7 10/25/40/100 Gbps (via modular line cards)
Layer: L2/L3
Stacking Support: Yes (up to 9 units via Stacking Cables)
Chassis Type: 3-slot modular chassis
PoE Budget: Up to 5.6 kW per module (optional PoE+ modules)
Max Power Consumption: 10.2 kW (full chassis)
Backplane Bandwidth: 204.8 Tbps
Throughput per Port: Up to 100 Gbps per port
Cooling: Redundant, variable-speed fans
Uplinks: Multiple 100 Gbps QSFP28 capable
Curation Review
✔ Pros:Industry-leading 204.8 Tbps switching fabric supports next-generation high-density deployments; Modular architecture allows flexible line-card configurations for different port densities and speeds; Full redundancy support (PSU, fan, uplinks) ensures carrier-grade reliability; Native support for Cisco DNA Center and SD-Access intent-based networking; Excellent in-service upgrade capabilities with no traffic disruption
✘ Cons:Significantly higher capital cost compared to fixed-configuration switches; Requires skilled technical staff for modular line-card installation and configuration; Power and cooling infrastructure overhead for large deployments; Complexity of managing modular chassis in smaller networks may be overkill; Limited flexibility in port mix compared to disaggregated options
