The Ease of WiFi Access with Cisco 5520 Wireless Controllers
November 15, 2019

The Ease of WiFi Access with Cisco 5520 Wireless Controllers

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller

Cisco Wireless Controllers integrate with our ISE and help manage wireless users and mobile devices. We have three SSIDs that help segment employees, mobile devices and guest users. We had to upgrade to this model because of issues we experienced with our guest network. As we work with a number of consultants and external companies, the guest WiFi needed to be stable to support these external users.
  • [It has] easy integration with ISE.
  • [It has a] simple GUI that assisted in configuring the controllers, APs, and security.
  • [It provides] support of the new 2800 and 3800 AP models and also supports our previous 3700s AP model.
  • We bought two controllers and tested the seamless failover capabilities, so users who are connected do not realize a failover occurred.
  • [It] can improve on the possibility of using the physical controllers with the virtual one.
  • [It] can improve on the possibility of having site-to-site failover capabilities, [like in the case of] controllers at production go down and controllers at our DR site take over.
  • The possibility of an app on your phone for alerts and minor configuration of the controllers.
  • [It provides] faster network access.
  • [It allows] less reliance on physical connections.
  • [It provides] users that have corporate apps with built-in flows so that feedback and quick access is possible on the go.
[The] best bet is the integration with ISE. Users use their active directory credentials to access the wireless and very simple guest portal to gain access to the Internet. We plan on integrating Cisco DNA Centre in the future that will give us more visibility and improved performance.

Do you think Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller's feature set?

Yes

Did Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller again?

Yes

It is well suited in an environment that has mostly laptop users, has BYOD/corporate cell phone use, or that encourages collaboration via voice and video meetings. Definitely fits with a company that has on-the-go staff that requires quick access to resources.

Using Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller

120 - Cross functional teams from most departments
2 - CCNA and CCNA wireless
  • Guest access to the Internet for visiting consultants and business partners
  • Employee access to their resources
  • Mobile access for business apps and flows
  • Mostly office 365 access
  • Connecting to collaboration products like Webex, Polycom, Zoom, and GoToMeeting
  • Use of the company PABX softphone via mobile
  • Technicians [could] use their service desk mobile app while [on] the go.
  • [There could be] integration with DNA center for more visibility.
  • [It could] manage connections of regular devices, like TVs, marketing screens customers, and possible expansion for customers to use on a different segment.
It works great and [we] will definitely renew.

Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller Support

Our local resellers implemented it in our network. Very knowledgeable and backed by Cisco support. The implementation was very smooth with no issues experienced the few days after the cutover. So far the support was great.