© 2012 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information.
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Data Sheet
Maximum Performance and Scalability
● Support for up to 500 access points and 7000 clients
● 802.11n optimized for up to nine times the
performance of 802.11a/g networks
● Enhanced uptime with the ability to simultaneously
configure and manage 500 access points per controller
Improved Mobility and Services
● Larger mobility domain for more simultaneous client
associations
● Faster radio resource management (RRM) updates for
uninterrupted network access when roaming
● Intelligent RF control plane for self-configuration, self-
healing, and self-optimization
● Efficient roaming improves application performance
such as toll quality, voice, and consistent streaming of
video and data backup
Licensing Flexibility and Investment Protection
● Additional access point capacity licenses may be
added over time
Cisco OfficeExtend Solution
● Secure, simple, cost-effective mobile teleworker
solution
● Up to 500 remote access points per controller
● Supports Cisco® Unified IP Phones for reduced cell
phone charges
Comprehensive Wired/Wireless Security
● Full Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access
Points (CAPWAP) access-point-to-controller encryption
● Supports rogue access point detection and denial-of-
service attacks
● Management frame protection detects malicious users
and alerts network administrators
Enterprise Wireless Mesh
● Dynamic wireless mesh networks support indoor and
outdoor connectivity for areas that are difficult to wire
Environmentally Responsible
● Support for adaptive power management to turn off
access point radios during off-peak hours to reduce
power consumption
● OfficeExtend solution reduces costs and supports
green best practices by reducing commuting time and
saving on gas, vehicle mileage, and insurance costs
Cisco 5500 Series Wireless Controllers
The Cisco
®
5500 Series Wireless Controller, shown in Figure 1,
is a highly scalable and flexible platform that enables
systemwide services for mission-critical wireless networking in
medium-sized to large enterprises and campus environments.
Designed for
802.11n
performance and maximum scalability,
the 5500 Series offers enhanced uptime with:
●
RF visibility and protection
●
The ability to simultaneously manage up to 500
access
points
●
Superior performance for reliable streaming video and
toll quality voice
●
Improved fault recovery for a consistent
mobility
experience in the most demanding environments
Figure 1.
Cisco 5500 Series Wireless LAN Controller
Features
Optimized for high-performance
wireless
networking, the 5500
Series offers improved mobility and prepares the business for
the next wave of mobile devices and applications. The 5500
Series supports a higher density of clients and delivers more
efficient roaming, with at least nine times the throughput of
existing 802.11a/g networks.
The 5500 Series automates wireless configuration and
management functions and allows network managers to have
the visibility and control needed to cost-effectively manage,
secure, and optimize the performance of their wireless
networks. With integrated Cisco CleanAir
™
technology, the
5500 Series protects 802.11n performance by providing cross-network access to real-time and historic RF
interference information for quick, troubleshooting and resolution. As a component of the Cisco Unified Wireless
Network, this controller provides real-time communications between
Cisco Aironet
®
access points
, the
Cisco
Wireless Control System
(WCS), and the
Cisco Mobility Services Engine
to deliver centralized security policies,
wireless intrusion prevention system (IPS) capabilities, award-winning RF management, and quality of service
(QoS).
