Good product but with old stable software
Updated November 20, 2024

Good product but with old stable software

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Reseller

Overall Satisfaction with Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller

This WLC has good software stability even in industrial environment and it's able to handle a lot of APs with good bandwidth: several features are available and high-availability works fine. The ugly thing is the AIR-OS that is now replaced with IOS-XE software used on new WLC9800 so I don't think it's still a good point selling this type of WLC.

Pros

  • High Availability
  • RADIUS authentication
  • Managing a lot of APs
  • FlexConnect

Cons

  • Stable GUI interface
  • API interface
  • CLI configuration
  • Good ROI
  • Good AP compatibility
In the dailies activities it's simple to manage a wireless network and also to perform changes: the GUI is well known and intuitive for engineers that know how to operate on Cisco WLC. It has High Throughput and consolidated features such as CleanAir, Roaming supporting natively Cisco ISE authentication methods and DNA Center. It's recommended for Wi-Fi 5 wireless infrastructures.
  • Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
Cisco Identity Services Engine is well integrated on Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller because the WLC supports a lot of authentication methods and security protocols (such as PEAP, EAP-TLS, Captive Portal redirect). They perform very well with ISE. Cisco ISE is able to manage centrally the AAA sessions from all the WLCs keeping a central point of management for wireless infrastructure.

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

Not sure

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?

No

I think this WLC is well suited in almost enterprise environment where a lot of APs and a lot of bandwidth is required. This WLC has also good compatibility with almost all APs; I would suggest this WLC if it's required to keep the compatibility of older APs but I would prefer using the new 9800 solutions.

Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller Feature Ratings

Wireless LAN
7.4
Zero-Touch Provisioning
8
WLAN Performance Monitoring
8
Topology Maps
6
Layer 7 Visibility
6
Wireless Security
9

Evaluating Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller and Competitors

Yes - Cisco 5508 Wireless Controller and Cisco 2504 Wireless Controller were easily replaced by Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller upgrading the AP to the target software release before migrating the Wireless LAN Controllers. It's also helped a lot the pre-download feature that allowed to reduce the downtime of the migration activity during the maintenance window.
  • Scalability
  • Integration with Other Systems
  • Ease of Use
Scalability is very important when evaluating a new infrastructure: this Wireless LAN Controller allowed to support more than 1000 Access-points simultaneously and its' really integrated with Cisco Identity Service Engine. It was also ready to support the new Cisco DNA technology. The GUI provided is quite easy to know and it's well known by wireless network engineers.

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