TrustRadius Insights for Cisco 3504 WLAN Controller are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, third party data sources.
Pros
Visibility into Application Traffic: Users have praised Red MESH for providing extraordinary visibility into application traffic, enhancing their monitoring capabilities and allowing them to analyze network performance in real-time. This level of insight has proven invaluable in troubleshooting issues promptly and optimizing network efficiency.
Centralized Management: Reviewers find the centralized management feature of Red MESH helpful in efficiently managing access points and WLANs, enabling them to easily configure settings and ensure seamless connectivity across their network infrastructure. By centralizing control, users can implement changes swiftly and maintain consistent network performance.
User-Friendly Interface: The user interface of Red MESH is well-known for being easy to use, making tasks like AP provisioning almost effortless according to users. Its intuitive design simplifies complex networking processes and enhances overall user experience by reducing the learning curve associated with network management platforms.
From my experience, I can mention that I have had very little trouble with the Cisco 3504 WLAN Controller. Wireless design and wireless implementation have been flexibly integrated in the modern World Wide Web; this is very indispensable, especially with increasing demands from the market onto our digital interfaces. Overall, the network performance and security have enhanced the continuity and stability of the connection in the firm.
Pros
Allows an administrator to manage all the wireless access points through a single point.
It can accommodate the increase in the size of the network and accommodate other new devices with ease.
It has several technological features that make it secure against hackers, especially to corporate networks and data owned by the user.
Cons
The easiest drawback that the users are likely to experience is the initial configuration of the system.
Sometimes software updates can cause some service interruptions.
Certain network configurations may be unavailable even when using the advanced version of the application.
Likelihood to Recommend
I have found the Cisco 3504 WLAN Controller helpful in monitoring and managing the wireless networks regularly. When there were multiple entries throughout an exciting working day, the controller promptly informed of the precise statuses and offered the possibility of revising a strategy upon identifying a performance decrease. Nevertheless, there have been specific instances where updating the firmware led to some disruptions of services for a short time.
We primarily use the Cisco 3504 WLAN Controller for managing wireless network infrastructure in our corporate office. The product gives an excellent centralized management portal for managing multiple access points across the office. We use Cisco WLAN mainly because of the ease of configuring and the advanced security features it has, like wap3, rouge access point detection, wips etc. We also use guest access management. We have recently scaled the number of access points very easily. Due to the Cisco 3504 WLAN Controller, our network uptime is 100% even with the complex network.
Pros
Excellent ui/ux features
Easy to scale
Security features like WPA3, rogue access point detection, and wireless intrusion prevention systems
Quality of Service (QoS) settings and bandwidth limitations
Centralized management system
Supports IoT devices
Cons
Cost is high compared to other vendors in market
Advanced Reporting can be better
Real-Time Analytics could be better
Likelihood to Recommend
Its well suited for Enterprise Environments which has large offices. Its also suited for educational institutions which has many class rooms and labs. Both the scenarios has numerous access points and a high number of simultaneous wireless connections with digital learning environments and administrative operations. The Cisco 3504 WLAN Controller can also be used for Retail and Hospitality.
VU
Verified User
Manager in Information Technology (201-500 employees)
We opted for the Cisco 3504 WLAN Controller solution because of the security offered by the brand, the ease of centralized administration and its functionalities, highlighting the MESH option offered by the product. The advantage of having up to four LAN ports was an improvement that we did not expect in this type of product.
Pros
Red MESH
Extraordinary visibility into application traffic
Guest access
Cons
Design
Improved graphical environment
Missing user profiles with limited permissions
Likelihood to Recommend
The Cisco 3504 WLAN Controller product is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses that pay special attention to the security of their company and employees.
Perhaps the product falls somewhat short for large companies that have other products within Cisco that are more appropriate for a large number of users. Even so, the integration with Cisco devices is total and they can be combined without problem with each other.
VU
Verified User
Consultant in Information Technology (11-50 employees)
Currently, we utilize Cisco 3504 for small to medium-sized wireless deployments for our customer's wireless deployments where the total number is around 10-100 Apps. Primarily just for managing the access points centrally. Makes changes and deployments very easy and saves time. A more robust solution than the outgoing 2504.
Pros
High Availability.
Centralized Management.
Guest Wifi.
Cisco Reliability.
Cons
Microsoft AD integration would be nice.
license model is still bad.
Pricing is still on the extreme high side of the market.
Likelihood to Recommend
Seems to work extremely well for small to mid-size implementations. We have not set up over 100 Apps, so it's possible it may work well for large networks as well, but the cost would be an issue for us. We definitely enjoy the centralized management functionality and age-old cisco hardware reliability, with no issues in almost 5 years.
VU
Verified User
Analyst in Information Technology (1001-5000 employees)
Cisco 3504 WLAN Controller acts as the main WLAN controller for warehouses providing them with a WiFi network and allowing for 24/7 operation.
Pros
Well known interface
Reliable AP monitoring
Almost zero effort AP provisioning
Cons
Outdated GUI
Many features are hard to find
Monitoring features are lacking
Likelihood to Recommend
If you are using Cisco routing and switching to Cisco Wireless WLAN Controller seems like the best choice. It can be used as a hub located in a data center that is managing access points in branch offices or you can use them per location. The less appropriate option might be remote locations without access to shared services where SDWAN solutions like Cisco Meraki might be a better option
VU
Verified User
Engineer in Information Technology (201-500 employees)
Our organization needed a corporate wireless network where it could perform authentication via Radius/NPAS, access network segmentation, and stability and reliability. Cisco 3504 WLAN Controller has provided us with such functionality in a robust and reliable way. We were already using the previous version of the solution, the Cisco 2504 controllers, so keeping the same solution, just upgrading it was the most coherent way.
Pros
Authentication with Radius/NPAS
Authentication with Radius/NPAS
QoS in different situations
Cons
The interface needs improvement, it is still complex to find some functions quickly
The price of the product is still a big limiter
The fragility of its physical structure, any impact, which is a little stronger, can cause damage to the product
Likelihood to Recommend
Suitable:
Organizations that need greater security; need clear segmentations and unique accesses. Companies that appreciate quality and agile user service.
Unsuitable:
Small businesses that don't need so much robustness in their wireless network. Environments that do not prioritize the use of a wireless network or that use it only as an auxiliary environment.
VU
Verified User
Director in Information Technology (501-1000 employees)
I'm a big fan of the brand Cisco, and I'm always looking for ways to improve my wireless network at home and in our office. I was tired of the wireless network that didn't work well in my house, so I began to look for a new model of a wireless access point to solve the problem. I came to the conclusion that the Cisco 3504 provided the best solution, and I bought it. I'm buying it because it is the best wireless access point on the market and it is the most reliable. I had to change some new APs, and it helped me solve the problem in less than half an hour
Pros
I had to change some new APs and it helped me solve the problem in less than half an hour
Cisco 3504 wlan controller is a new generation wireless controller that can control up to 3504 access points and is made up of the latest technology. It's easy to use and configure, and allows you to control your wireless network from anywhere.
I must say that I am impressed with the Cisco WLC 5520. The wireless network is very important for us. We have about 1000 clients and we work in several offices. With this device we are able to control, manage and administer all the wireless networks of the company in a very efficient way.
Cons
I have been using the Cisco 3504 wlan controller for about 1 years now. I have found it to be very reliable, but cumbersome to setup and configure. The GUI is not very user friendly, but if you configure it a few times you get used to it. It is lacking in some of the latest features that are offered by other vendors. The power usage is pretty good and the amount of AP's you can add is pretty standard
Cisco is everywhere. If you are looking for WLAN, Switching, or other related products, Cisco is the 800 pound gorilla in the room. With this in mind, you'd figure that their wireless controller would be their flagship product, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case. For the price point, the 3504 is a pretty lackluster product.
I was given the task to setup a new wifi network in a very large building. With many departments and a complicated layout, we needed to have a solid router to handle all of the network traffic and throughput. I was given the task to find a reliable, robust and cost-effective solution. With the Cisco 3504 WLAN Controller, I was easily able to setup an autonomous access point with a few clicks. The cloud based controller software was easy to use and had many features I was able to utilize and control, all other things are perfect .
Likelihood to Recommend
I was given the task to setup a new wifi network in a very large building. With many departments and a complicated layout, we needed to have a solid router to handle all of the network traffic and throughput. I was given the task to find a reliable, robust and cost-effective solution. With the Cisco 3504 WLAN Controller, I was easily able to setup an autonomous access point with a few clicks. The cloud based controller software was easy to use and had many features I was able to utilize and control.
Cisco 3504 WLAN Controller is a Wireless LAN Tool [that] we have been using in our organization for [a] long time. We also have wireless applications as well in our business. I believe that this [product] has solved all our [space problems] and [not] meeting on a frequent basis. Altogether, as our organization is bigger in size, [...] this software just seamlessly integrates and accommodates users too. I feel that the support being offered to users, including me, is quite satisfactory. [...] Even when I am in need, they send engineers [...] to fix it who have the right expertise, knowledge, and experience to do this. The support team also has some very effective equipment, which is also very good.
Pros
[...] One thing which always fascinated me is the user interface because it is very friendly in nature.
Also, with this tool, [my team and I] have started feeling more secure and safe because this platform does not require any such implementation. [A]ll the security patches happen on their own.
One of the main pros of this app is that because it is so compact, it makes this platform a very good travel option. [I]t is also portable [and] can be easily carried anywhere.
Cons
In spite of all the good things, I personally feel that it would have been much better if [...] there was a slightly easier experience [during access lists] overall.
Moreover, sometimes with this platform it becomes a little tricky to use the product.
Also, whenever someone makes a new firmware change, it [...] changes the software and makes the chance of templates almost impossible.
Likelihood to Recommend
I would highly recommend this software to others because, first things first, it has so many numerous features which cater to different people and different businesses. Even this Cisco [3504 WLAN Controller] has some very light access points, which [is why] I think this is a good platform. [...] You should definitely try [Cisco 3504 WLAN Controller] out. When it comes to the support team here, I would like to say that this platform [offers] the world’s best wireless tools out there.