Cisco 250455xx and 9800 Wireless LAN Controllers review
October 23, 2025

Cisco 250455xx and 9800 Wireless LAN Controllers review

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Software Version

5520 Wireless Controller

Overall Satisfaction with Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers

We have been using Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers for some time starting with the 2504 and now going to the 9800 series in both hardware and virtual controls. The newer ones allow a much easier fail over capability and the option for a virtual controller removes the need for additional hardware. One manufacturing site has a hardware based controller while the global sites/offices use the virtual ones as their primary.

Pros

  • Easy access to client connections with details like username, mac address, ip address, signal strength and AP connections to make troubleshooting easier
  • Ability to use mix of new and older AP's
  • Ease of addition additional AP's or moving them with minimal configuration.

Cons

  • Have a better fail over capability with low conversion times
  • Quicker updates to resolve issues with newer wifi technologies e.g. 6GHz frequencies.
  • The Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers give the business the ability to move from one part of the site to another without any wireless dropouts over a large site.
  • 6GHZ frequencies and AX/BE protocols have some issues that need resolving to utilities higher wifi speeds and throughput
The 9800's give a much higher level of security and configurability options compared to the older 2504/55xx Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers. The interface has more information to allow for better visibility with client connections and reporting.
Cost and ROI over Meraki was better with the Cisco gear even though Cisco owns Meraki.
HPE Aruba AP's were also considered but due to being a Cisco switch site ROI was also in Cisco's favor.

Do you think Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers's feature set?

Yes

Did Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers again?

Yes

Ability to scale the wireless environment with building/environmental changes with minimal configuration needed.
Changes and additions to new equipment and rooms in the manufacturing environment means existing AP's need to move or new ones put in to ensure full coverage over different frequencies

Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers Feature Ratings

Wireless LAN
8.0
WLAN Performance Monitoring
9
Topology Maps
6
Layer 7 Visibility
7
Wireless Security
10

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