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Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller

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10 Reviews and Ratings

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What is Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller?

The Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst Access Points (EWC-AP) is a next-generation Wi-Fi solution, combining an advanced controller – the Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers – with a Wi-Fi 6 access point – the Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points – to create a wireless experience for evolving and growing organization.

Categories & Use Cases

Reviews

What users are saying about Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller.
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EWC-Cost Effective Solution

Incentivized
Verified User
Engineer in Information Technology (201-500 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller for the clients where they need cost effective wireless solution and where not much users are there in their environment. It is best for low and medium size deployment and not recommended at all for large enterprise environment.

Pros

  • Good for small infra
  • low cost Deployment
  • Simple and fast deployment

Cons

  • No support for Older APs are there
  • wifi 6E device support should atleast be there to EWC
  • All APs with EWC support should be having more CPU processing power for better performances

Return on Investment

  • it is cost effective
  • best for small and medium infra
  • No support for WIFI6E and wifi7 devices
  • Limited subnetting available as No SVI Support is there
  • Anchor controller support is not there
  • SSO High Availability is not available

Usability

Alternatives Considered

HPE Aruba Networking Switches, HPE Aruba Networks Wireless WAN, Extreme Networks Wireless AP 5010 and Extreme Wireless Access Points

Other Software Used

Vidcast by Webex Leap, Cisco Meraki MR Wireless Access Points, Cisco Meraki MS, Cisco Meraki MX, Cisco Catalyst Switches, Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers

Secure by design and flexible in its architecture

Incentivized
Val Langenburg
Managing Director IT Operations and Governance in Information Technology at Markel Corporation (1001-5000 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller puts this intuitive, powerful control, easy-to-deploy-and-manage WiFi 6 network in the palm of our hands. The built-in enterprise-class security and resilience features always keep the network on and protected. Managing and monitoring the EWC is easy, so we have a reliable WiFi experience that can serve and perform multiple functions to meet the demanding requirements of the business.

Pros

  • Offers enterprise-class security that keeps the network protected
  • Cost-effective connectivity
  • Deploying WiFi 6 network without complexity or added expense
  • Controlling access points and clients

Cons

  • The GUI is difficult to understand
  • The process of setting up the Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller is cumbersome, but I like its reliability

Most Important Features

  • Smart dashboard and mobile app
  • Built-in enterprise-class security and resilience features
  • WiFi 6 capacity

Return on Investment

  • Minimal IT resources required
  • No cost of physical appliance
  • Benefit of enterprise features with a cost-effective approach

Alternatives Considered

Aruba Networks Wireless LAN (WLAN)

Other Software Used

V2 Cloud, Zapier

If your use case is right, the Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller can be the perfect solution

Incentivized
Verified User
Administrator in Information Technology (501-1000 employees employees)

Pros

  • They seem solid and well built, hardly ever fail
  • Once you get a hand of the setup they're easy to add/remove
  • Automatic failover is seamless and super helpful

Cons

  • Occasionally require a reboot to get an AP back online
  • Sometimes they will fight to be the controller
  • They dont seem to handle as many clients as AP's connected to a WLC

Return on Investment

  • Makes having remote sites less problematic when it comes to managing AP's
  • Saved money on managed AP's as they're found cheaper
  • Takes more time to manage additional controllers versus a WLC

Other Software Used

Aruba Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN), KnowBe4 PhishER, Cisco DNA Center

Good value for the price but may not compete with a Cisco centralized controller

Incentivized
Verified User
Engineer in Information Technology (501-1000 employees employees)

Pros

  • Automatic controller failover in the event of an outage.
  • Lots of great deep security features that Cisco is known for.
  • Well priced for an all in one device.

Cons

  • Some bugs in the interface.
  • Issues with licensing and Cisco DNA integration.
  • Frequent software patches needed,

Return on Investment

  • Money saved not needing a WLC and separate APs.
  • Time saved during setup if you're using a Cisco DNA.
  • Long term it may be more time spent diagnosing issues.

Other Software Used

Cisco Firepower NGFW (formerly Sourcefire), Cisco Firepower 4100 Series, KnowBe4 PhishER