Cisco Catalyst 9166I - Wireless Access Point - 1GbE, 5GbE, 2.5GbE - Wi-Fi 6E - Bluetooth - 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz - Cloud-managed - CW9166I-MR

Cisco Catalyst 9166I - Wireless access point - 1GbE, 5GbE, 2.5GbE - Wi-Fi 6E - Bluetooth - 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz - cloud-managed

The Cisco Catalyst 9166I is a cutting-edge wireless access point (AP) designed to meet the demands of modern networks with its advanced technical specifications and comprehensive feature set. Let's delve into its capabilities and technical specifications in detail.

Technical Specifications:

1. Wireless Standards and Frequencies:

   • Supports Wi-Fi 6E technology, offering enhanced performance and reduced interference in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands.
   • Tri-radio configuration ensures optimal coverage and capacity.
   • 4x4:4 UL/DL MU-MIMO 802.11ax compatibility enables efficient data transmission to multiple clients simultaneously.

2. Data Rates and Connectivity:

   • Aggregate frame rate of 7.78 Gbps across all three radios.
   • Supports Gigabit Ethernet (1GbE), 5 Gigabit Ethernet (5GbE), and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (2.5GbE) for high-speed wired connectivity.
   • Single 5 Gbps mGig Ethernet port provides high-speed connectivity for demanding applications.
   • USB 2.0 host interface (Type A connector) with a 4.5W power budget for additional connectivity options.

3. Bluetooth and IoT Integration:

   • Integrated Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio facilitates BLE Beacon functionality and Bluetooth device visibility.
   • Enables seamless deployment of location-aware applications and supports future IoT initiatives.

4. RF Optimization and Spectrum Analytics:

   • Dedicated Scanning radio provides 24x7 real-time Wireless Intrusion Detection System (WIDS) and Wireless Intrusion Prevention System (WIPS), enhancing network security.
   • Continuous RF data feedback to the Meraki cloud enables automatic optimization of channel selection, transmit power, and client connection settings for optimal performance.

5. Enterprise Security Features:

   • Integrated AES hardware-based encryption ensures robust security for wireless transmissions.
   • Supports Enterprise authentication with 802.1X and Active Directory integration for secure user authentication.
   • Enhanced security features include support for 192-bit encryption and WPA3 for heightened network security.

6. Traffic Shaping and Optimization:

   • Application-aware traffic shaping ensures prioritization of critical applications such as voice and video for optimal performance.
   • Optimized for voice and video applications, ensuring high-quality communication experiences.

7. Deployment and Management:

   • Self-configuring, plug-and-play deployment simplifies installation and setup, reducing deployment time and effort.
   • Cloud-managed architecture enables centralized management and monitoring of the AP, streamlining network administration tasks.

8. Design and Aesthetics:

   • Sleek design blends seamlessly into office environments, ensuring a professional and unobtrusive appearance.
   • Ideal for deployment in corporate offices, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and other high-density environments.

Expanded Technical Overview:

The Cisco Catalyst 9166I AP stands out with its tri-radio configuration, offering unparalleled performance and coverage. With support for Wi-Fi 6E technology, it leverages the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands to deliver blazing-fast wireless connectivity. The 4x4:4 UL/DL MU-MIMO 802.11ax compatibility enables efficient data transmission to multiple clients simultaneously, making it ideal for environments with numerous mobile devices.

In addition to Wi-Fi connectivity, the AP features integrated Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) functionality, enabling seamless deployment of location-aware applications and IoT initiatives. The BLE radio also supports Beacon functionality, facilitating enhanced customer engagement strategies and future-proofing deployments.

One of the standout features of the Cisco Catalyst 9166I is its automatic cloud-based RF optimization. Utilizing a dedicated Scanning radio, the AP continuously monitors the wireless spectrum, providing real-time Wireless Intrusion Detection System (WIDS) and Wireless Intrusion Prevention System (WIPS) capabilities. The RF data collected is fed back to the Meraki cloud, where it is used to automatically optimize channel selection, transmit power, and client connection settings, ensuring optimal performance under challenging RF conditions.

From a security perspective, the AP offers integrated enterprise-grade security features, including AES hardware-based encryption and support for Enterprise authentication with 802.1X and Active Directory integration. Additionally, support for 192-bit encryption and WPA3 further enhances the security of the wireless network, providing peace of mind for organizations handling sensitive data.

Application-aware traffic shaping ensures that critical applications such as voice and video are prioritized, guaranteeing a high-quality user experience. The AP is optimized for voice and video applications, making it an ideal choice for organizations relying on unified communications solutions.

In terms of deployment and management, the AP offers a plug-and-play experience, simplifying installation and setup. Its cloud-managed architecture allows for centralized management and monitoring, reducing the complexity of network administration tasks.

With its sleek design and unobtrusive appearance, the Cisco Catalyst 9166I blends seamlessly into office environments, making it an ideal choice for corporate offices, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and other high-density environments.