Uplink Port Speed: Gigabit Ethernet (1 GbE) / Multi-Gig capable
Max Clients: 256+
PoE Requirement: 90W (High-Power PoE+)
Form Factor: Ceiling-mount/Wall-mount
Antenna: Internal
Coverage: Up to 6000 sq ft (single AP)
Curation Review
✔ Pros:Industry-leading Wi-Fi 6 performance with 4.8 Gbps throughput; Excellent for high-density enterprise environments; Advanced security features (802.1X, Suite-B encryption); Seamless roaming and fast client connectivity; Reduced power consumption vs. Wi-Fi 5 alternatives; PoE+ powered for simplified cabling
✘ Cons:Premium pricing compared to Wi-Fi 5 access points; Requires 90W PoE+ infrastructure; Limited client device support for full Wi-Fi 6 speeds (many legacy devices won't benefit); Overkill for small/medium deployments with basic wireless needs; Vendor lock-in with Cisco controller ecosystem; Complex configuration requires experienced network administrators
Est. Price:
$2,800 - $3,500
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
