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Data Sheet

Cisco 5500 Series Wireless Controllers
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

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 tollquality voice

●

Sub-second stateful failover of all access points and
clients from the primary to standby controller

Figure 1. Cisco 5500 Series Wireless LAN Controller

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-ofservice 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

Features
Optimized for high-performance wireless networking, the Cisco
5500 Series Controller 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 realtime and historic RF interference information for quick
troubleshooting and resolution.

© 2013 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information.

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