Uplink Port Speed: 2 x 100M/1G/2.5G/5G/10G mGig (RJ-45)
Max Clients: 1,200 total
PoE Requirement: 802.3bt (UPOE) for full features; supports 802.3at/af with reduced performance
Curation Review
✔ Pros:Cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 performance with up to 24 Gbps aggregate throughput; Flexible management options allowing a choice between Cisco Catalyst (on-prem) or Meraki (cloud); Exceptional high-density capacity supporting up to 1,200 clients and 16 spatial streams; Integrated dedicated scanning radio for security and BLE 5.3 for IoT applications
✘ Cons:Significant initial hardware cost and mandatory ongoing subscription licensing (DNA or Meraki); High power demands requiring 802.3bt (UPOE) infrastructure to unlock all capabilities; Bulkier and heavier than typical enterprise access points, requiring sturdy mounting
Est. Price:
$1,640 - $3,200
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