Maximum Access PointsSame
C9800-L-C-K9
250 (500 with Performance license)
C9800-L-F-K9
250 (500 with Performance license)
Cisco wireless controller comparison
C9800-L-C-K9 vs C9800-L-F-K9
The C9800-L-C-K9 and C9800-L-F-K9 are the same Cisco wireless controller except for the two uplink ports: multigigabit RJ-45 copper on the C9800-L-C-K9, SFP+ on the C9800-L-F-K9. Choose by the switch port they connect to; scale, the Performance license option, Wi-Fi 7 support and the 110 W power adapter are identical.
2models compared
30specs published for every model
5confirmed differences
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At-a-glance comparison
Key capacity and performance specifications
Start with the specifications that decide whether a model fits, whether they differ or not. Each card says if the values are the same.
Maximum ClientsSame
C9800-L-C-K9
5,000 (10,000 with Performance license)
C9800-L-F-K9
5,000 (10,000 with Performance license)
Maximum ThroughputSame
C9800-L-C-K9
5 Gbps (10 Gbps with Performance license)
C9800-L-F-K9
5 Gbps (10 Gbps with Performance license)
Wi-Fi Standards and BandsSame
C9800-L-C-K9
Wi-Fi 5 Wave 2, Wi-Fi 6/6E and Wi-Fi 7 APs; 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz
C9800-L-F-K9
Wi-Fi 5 Wave 2, Wi-Fi 6/6E and Wi-Fi 7 APs; 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz
Wi-Fi 7 SupportSame
C9800-L-C-K9
From Cisco IOS XE 17.15.2, with Multi-Link Operation and 320 MHz channels in 6 GHz
C9800-L-F-K9
From Cisco IOS XE 17.15.2, with Multi-Link Operation and 320 MHz channels in 6 GHz
Uplink PortsDifferent
C9800-L-C-K9
2 x 1/2.5/5/10G RJ-45; 4 x 1/2.5G RJ-45
C9800-L-F-K9
2 x 1/10G SFP+; 4 x 1/2.5G RJ-45
How to choose between C9800-L-C-K9 and C9800-L-F-K9
Choose the C9800-L-C-K9 if the switch has multigigabit copper ports
The C9800-L-C-K9 uplinks over RJ-45 at speeds from 1G to 10G, so it needs copper cabling but no optics, which saves buying two SFP+ modules per controller.
Choose the C9800-L-F-K9 if the uplink runs over fiber
The C9800-L-F-K9's SFP+ uplinks take fiber optics or direct-attach cables, for a switch with free SFP+ ports or a run longer than copper allows. Budget two SFP+ optics or cables per controller.
Before ordering a C9800-L-C-K9 or C9800-L-F-K9 HA pair, choose one model for both units
Stateful switchover pairs only identical hardware, and Cisco's own example is that a C9800-L-C-K9 cannot pair with a C9800-L-F-K9. Order two of the same model, each with the Performance license if the network needs more than 250 access points.
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Detailed comparison
Full specification comparison
| Comparison parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Product ID | C9800-L-C-K9 | C9800-L-F-K9 |
| Product and ordering | ||
| Product Type | Cisco Catalyst 9800-L (Copper Uplink) Wireless Controller | Cisco Catalyst 9800-L (Fiber Uplink) Wireless Controller |
| Scale and performance | ||
| Maximum Access Points | 250 (500 with Performance license) | 250 (500 with Performance license) |
| Maximum Clients | 5,000 (10,000 with Performance license) | 5,000 (10,000 with Performance license) |
| Maximum Throughput | 5 Gbps (10 Gbps with Performance license)Cisco measures the 10 Gbps with 1374-byte packets; IMIX traffic stays at 5 Gbps. | 5 Gbps (10 Gbps with Performance license)Cisco measures the 10 Gbps with 1374-byte packets; IMIX traffic stays at 5 Gbps. |
| Performance License | Optional LIC-C9800L-PERF (perpetual)Raises the limits to 500 APs, 10,000 clients and 10 Gbps; both units of an HA pair need the license. | Optional LIC-C9800L-PERF (perpetual)Raises the limits to 500 APs, 10,000 clients and 10 Gbps; both units of an HA pair need the license. |
| Maximum Site Tags | Not published by Cisco | Not published by Cisco |
| Maximum FlexConnect APs per Site | Not published by Cisco | Not published by Cisco |
| Maximum WLANs | 4,096 | 4,096 |
| Maximum VLANs | 4,096 | 4,096 |
| Wi-Fi and software | ||
| Wi-Fi Standards and Bands | Wi-Fi 5 Wave 2, Wi-Fi 6/6E and Wi-Fi 7 APs; 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E) access points need Cisco IOS XE 17.7.1 or later. | Wi-Fi 5 Wave 2, Wi-Fi 6/6E and Wi-Fi 7 APs; 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E) access points need Cisco IOS XE 17.7.1 or later. |
| Wi-Fi 7 Support | From Cisco IOS XE 17.15.2, with Multi-Link Operation and 320 MHz channels in 6 GHzWi-Fi 7 WLANs need WPA3; from Cisco IOS XE 17.15.3 a WLAN that does not meet the Wi-Fi 7 requirements runs as 802.11ax. Each access point model has its own minimum release. | From Cisco IOS XE 17.15.2, with Multi-Link Operation and 320 MHz channels in 6 GHzWi-Fi 7 WLANs need WPA3; from Cisco IOS XE 17.15.3 a WLAN that does not meet the Wi-Fi 7 requirements runs as 802.11ax. Each access point model has its own minimum release. |
| Operating System | Cisco IOS XE | Cisco IOS XE |
| Minimum Software Release | Cisco IOS XE 16.12.1 | Cisco IOS XE 16.12.1 |
| Deployment Modes | Centralized, FlexConnect and fabric (SD-Access) | Centralized, FlexConnect and fabric (SD-Access) |
| Ports and interfaces | ||
| Uplink Ports | 2 x 1/2.5/5/10G RJ-45; 4 x 1/2.5G RJ-45 | 2 x 1/10G SFP+; 4 x 1/2.5G RJ-45 |
| HA Redundancy Ports | 1 x RJ-45 | 1 x RJ-45 |
| Management Ports | 1 x RJ-45 service port | 1 x RJ-45 service port |
| Console Ports | 1 x RJ-45 console; 1 x micro-USB console | 1 x RJ-45 console; 1 x micro-USB console |
| USB Ports | 1 x USB 3.0 | 1 x USB 3.0 |
| High availability and power | ||
| Stateful Switchover (SSO) | Supported (1:1 active-standby) | Supported (1:1 active-standby) |
| N+1 Redundancy | Supported | Supported |
| Default Power Supply | 110 W external AC adapter (C9800-AC-110W) | 110 W external AC adapter (C9800-AC-110W) |
| Power Redundancy | No redundant power supply optionA redundant supply is a CW9800L-only option (Cisco 9800 Series FAQ). | No redundant power supply optionA redundant supply is a CW9800L-only option (Cisco 9800 Series FAQ). |
| Maximum Power Consumption | 86.9 WMeasured with a 4.5 W USB load. | 84.5 WMeasured with two 2.5 W SFPs and a 4.5 W USB load. |
| Heat Dissipation | 296.4 BTU/h | 288.2 BTU/h |
| Physical and environmental | ||
| Form Factor | 1RU, half-widthTwo units can be installed side by side in a standard 19-inch rack. | 1RU, half-widthTwo units can be installed side by side in a standard 19-inch rack. |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 40.2 × 215.9 × 230.1 mm | 40.2 × 215.9 × 230.1 mm |
| Weight | 1.79 kg | 1.82 kg |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 40 °C | 0 to 40 °C |
| Operating Humidity | 5% to 95% | 5% to 95% |
| Operating Altitude | Up to 3,000 m (10,000 ft) | Up to 3,000 m (10,000 ft) |
| Warranty | 1-year limited hardware warranty | 1-year limited hardware warranty |
“Not published by Cisco” and “Not listed” indicate that a confirmed direct comparison is unavailable. These rows are not counted as confirmed differences.
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