C9800-L-C-K9 – 4×2.5G + 2x10G mGig Copper Ports – 250/500 APs – Half-Width 1RU Wireless Controller

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C9800-L-C-K9 Description

The C9800-L-C-K9 is a Cisco Catalyst 9800-L fixed wireless controller with copper uplinks for small and midsize enterprise WLANs. The half-width 1RU appliance carries two 10G Multigigabit RJ-45 copper ports and four 2.5G/1G copper ports, and it manages 250 access points, 5000 clients and 5 Gbps as shipped, or 500 access points, 10,000 clients and 10 Gbps with the Performance license. The controller boots without a license, but each joining access point needs its own Cisco DNA Essentials or Advantage subscription.

Quick Specs

Parameter

Specification

Product ID

C9800-L-C-K9

Controller type

Catalyst 9800-L fixed wireless controller, copper uplink

Maximum number of access points

250; 500 with Performance license

Maximum number of clients

5000; 10,000 with Performance license

Maximum throughput

5 Gbps; 10 Gbps with Performance license

Fixed uplinks

2x 10G/Multigigabit copper (RJ-45)

Data ports

4x 2.5G/1G RJ-45 copper

Redundancy port

1x RJ-45 for SSO

Power supply

External 110W AC adapter C9800-AC-110W, shipped by default

Maximum power consumption

86.9W

Form factor

1RU half-width

Minimum software release

Cisco IOS XE Software 16.12.1

Application Scenarios

Headquarters Building Controller

In a single headquarters building with up to 250 access points, the controller connects to the core switch over its 10G Multigigabit RJ-45 ports and the links run on copper patch cabling with no optics.

Regional Offices On FlexConnect

A company with small regional offices can leave the branch access points in Cisco FlexConnect mode while one controller at the main site handles their configuration and policy centrally.

Side-By-Side SSO Pair

Two controllers form an SSO active-standby pair through their RJ-45 redundancy ports, linked back to back or through a Layer 2 switch. The half-width chassis lets both units sit side by side in one rack unit.

Product Comparison

Parameter

C9800-L-C-K9

C9800-L-F-K9

CW9800L

C9800-40-K9

Maximum number of access points

250; 500 with Performance license

250; 500 with Performance license

Up to 500

Up to 2000

Maximum number of clients

5000; 10,000 with Performance license

5000; 10,000 with Performance license

Up to 10,000

32,000

Maximum throughput

5 Gbps; 10 Gbps with Performance license

5 Gbps; 10 Gbps with Performance license

10 Gbps

Up to 40 Gbps

Fixed uplinks

2x 10G/Multigigabit copper (RJ-45)

2x 10G SFP+ fiber

2x 1G/10G SFP+

4x 10G/1G SFP+/SFP

2.5G/1G copper ports

4x RJ-45

4x RJ-45

Not applicable

Not applicable

Power supply

External 110W AC adapter

External 110W AC adapter

110W AC adapter, optional redundant supply kit

AC PEM with optional redundant AC PEM

Maximum power consumption

86.9W

84.5W

90W

381W

Form factor

1RU half-width

1RU half-width

1RU

1RU

Minimum software release

Cisco IOS XE 16.12.1

Cisco IOS XE 16.12.1

Cisco IOS XE 17.18.2

Cisco IOS XE 16.10.1

C9800-L-C-K9 and C9800-L-F-K9 differ only in their two 10G uplinks, which are Multigigabit RJ-45 copper on C9800-L-C-K9 and SFP+ fiber on C9800-L-F-K9. A controller that must reach its switch over fiber therefore needs the fiber model. Both start at 250 access points and reach 500 access points, 10,000 clients and 10 Gbps once LIC-C9800L-PERF is added with the order or later as LIC-C9800L-PERF=. CW9800L is rated for 500 access points and 10 Gbps on SFP+ uplinks and adds an optional redundant supply kit, provided the network can run Cisco IOS XE 17.18.2 or later. Designs above 500 access points move to C9800-40-K9, with 2000 access points and 40 Gbps on four 10G/1G SFP+ ports.

Ordering Checklist

  • Access point subscriptions: Order a Cisco DNA Essentials or Advantage subscription of 3, 5 or 7 years for every access point, tied to a Smart Account. Access points cannot join the controller without one.
  • Unified licensing release: LIC-CW-E and LIC-CW-A Cisco Networking Subscriptions cover C9800-L-C-K9 only on Cisco IOS XE 17.15.2 or later. An older image cannot consume them.
  • Performance license: Add LIC-C9800L-PERF when the site will pass 250 access points or 5000 clients. In an SSO pair, both controllers need their own Performance license.
  • Standby controller: Add a second C9800-L-C-K9 when the design uses SSO active standby or N+1 redundancy. Both designs need a second controller on the order.
  • DTLS license: Add LIC-C9800-DTLS-K9 when client data between access points and the controller must be encrypted. It is an optional line in the ordering steps.
  • Power cord and rack tray: Choose the Type C5 cord for the destination country, such as CAB-AC-C5 for the US and Canada, for the included C9800-AC-110W adapter. Add C9800L-RMNT when the controller goes in a rack.

C9800-L-C-K9 Front View

Label

Description

Label

Description

1

Service port LED

2

Redundancy port LED

3

Service Port (SP) (RJ-45) for out-of-band management

4

Redundancy port

5

RJ-45 console port

6

Micro-B USB console

7

USB 3.0 port

8

2x 10G/Multigigabit copper

9-12

Quad RJ-45 2.5G/1G Multigigabit Ethernet ports

13

Reset button

14

System LED

15

Alarm LED

16

High availability LED

Specifications

Parameter Specification Parameter Specification
Product ID C9800-L-C-K9 Controller model Cisco Catalyst 9800-L (Copper Uplink) Wireless Controller
Form factor 1RU half-width chassis; side-by-side installation in a standard 19-in. rack Operating system Cisco IOS XE
Minimum software release Cisco IOS XE Software 16.12.1 Deployment modes Centralized, Cisco FlexConnect, and fabric
Maximum number of access points 250; 500 with Performance license Maximum number of clients 5000; 10,000 with Performance license
Maximum throughput 5 Gbps; 10 Gbps with Performance license (1374-byte packets) Throughput with IMIX 5 Gbps with or without Performance license
Maximum WLANs 4096 VLAN IDs 4096
Fixed uplinks 2x 10G/Multigigabit copper (RJ-45) Data ports 4x 2.5G/1G RJ-45 copper; 10 Mbps not supported; must connect to a switch
Management port 1x RJ-45 service port for out-of-band management Redundancy port 1x RJ-45 for SSO
Console port 1x RJ-45 console and 1x Micro USB console USB port 1x USB 3.0 for external memory
CPU Intel Broadwell-NE, 8 cores, 2 GHz DRAM 16 GB DDR4
Flash 32 GB eMMC bulk flash Bluetooth Hardware support for a Bluetooth dongle as an IP management interface
Access points Cisco Aironet 802.11ac Wave 1 and Wave 2 access points, Cisco Catalyst 9100 802.11ax access points Wireless IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11d, WMM/802.11e, 802.11h, 802.11n, 802.11k, 802.11r, 802.11u, 802.11w, 802.11ac Wave 1 and Wave 2, 802.11ax
Cisco Wi-Fi 7 access points Supported on-premises from Cisco IOS XE 17.15.2; some access point models need a later release Interoperability AireOS-based controllers
Management Cisco DNA Center, Cisco Prime Infrastructure, embedded WebUI, and open standards APIs High availability SSO with active standby and N+1 redundancy; ISSU; SMU hot and cold patching
License Smart License enabled; Cisco DNA subscription required for each access point; optional perpetual Performance license LIC-C9800L-PERF Default power supply External single-output 12V DC, 110W, 120/240V AC adapter C9800-AC-110W, shipped by default
AC input 90 to 264 VAC, 47 to 63 Hz; adapter input 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz Maximum power consumption 86.9W (with 4.5W USB load)
Heat dissipation 296.4 BTU/hr (with 4.5W USB load) Sound power level 40 dBA normal at 25°C; 42.9 dBA maximum at 40°C
Operating temperature 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F); maximum derated 1.0°C per 1000 ft (305 m) of altitude Storage temperature -25°C to 70°C (-13°F to 158°F)
Operating altitude 0 to 3000 m (0 to 10,000 ft) Nonoperating altitude 0 to 12,192 m (0 to 40,000 ft)
Dimensions (H x W x D) 8.5 x 9.06 x 1.58 in (21.59 x 23.01 x 4.02 cm) Weight 1.79 kg (3.95 lb)
Safety certifications UL/CSA 60950-1, IEC/EN 60950-1, AS/NZS 60950.1, CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1 EMC emissions Class A: FCC 47CFR15, AS/NZS CISPR 22, CISPR 22, EN55022/EN55032, ICES-003, VCCI, KN 32, CNS-13438; EN61000-3-2, EN61000-3-3

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Quality Certifications

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    Jeffrey Adams
    Posted on 19/04/2026
    Verified Buyer
    5.0

    The after-purchase experience solidified our decision to make Layer23 a primary vendor.

    Diana Young
    Posted on 02/04/2026
    Verified Buyer
    5.0

    Couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

    Pamela Liu
    Posted on 02/01/2026
    Verified Buyer
    5.0

    Genuine product, properly handled. We feel confident standing behind this in our network.

    Rey Skywalker
    Posted on 22/08/2024
    Verified Buyer
    5.0

    I bypassed the compressor… and connected the APs. Signal is strong.

    Poe Dameron
    Posted on 30/05/2024
    Verified Buyer
    5.0

    We need speed and agility. This controller handles Wi-Fi 6 perfectly.

Questions & Answers

  • Does C9800-L-C-K9 support a redundant power supply?

    No. C9800-L-C-K9 runs from a single external 12 V DC, 110 W adapter, C9800-AC-110W, and the ordering table lists no redundant power PID. The adapter takes 100-240 VAC at 50/60 Hz, and the unit accepts 90-264 VAC at 47-63 Hz.
  • What are the dimensions of C9800-L-C-K9 and which tray mounts it in a rack?

    C9800-L-C-K9 is 8.5 in wide, 9.06 in deep and 1.58 in high (21.59 x 23.01 x 4.02 cm). Mount it with the C9800L-RMNT tray, ordered as C9800L-RMNT= for a spare. Front and rear brackets C4948E-BKT-KIT= are also listed with the accessories.
  • Which software image PID does C9800-L-C-K9 come with?

    C9800-L-C-K9 uses image SC9800LK9-xxxx, where xxxx is the factory-installed release, and the C9800-AC-110W adapter is selected automatically. The buyer chooses only the country power cord, such as CAB-AC-C5-ITA, CAB-AC-C5-AUS, CAB-AC-C5-JAP or CAB-AC-C5-KOR.
  • How many WLANs and VLANs does C9800-L-C-K9 support?

    C9800-L-C-K9 supports up to 4096 WLANs and 4096 VLAN IDs per the datasheet scale table, whether or not the Performance license is installed. The Performance license raises only access point, client and throughput limits, so plan WLAN and VLAN design inside these fixed counts.

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DataSheet Downloads

  • C9800-L-C-K9 Datasheet