Maximum Access PointsDifferent
CW9800L
500
CW9800M
3,000
Cisco wireless controller comparison
CW9800L vs CW9800M
The CW9800L fits networks of up to 500 access points in a half-width box powered by an external adapter. Choose the CW9800M when the network may grow toward 3,000 access points or needs 25G uplinks and an internal power supply.
2models compared
30specs published for every model
20confirmed 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 ClientsDifferent
CW9800L
10,000
CW9800M
32,000
Maximum ThroughputDifferent
CW9800L
10 Gbps
CW9800M
50 Gbps
Wi-Fi Standards and BandsSame
CW9800L
Wi-Fi 5 Wave 2, Wi-Fi 6/6E and Wi-Fi 7 APs; 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz
CW9800M
Wi-Fi 5 Wave 2, Wi-Fi 6/6E and Wi-Fi 7 APs; 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz
Wi-Fi 7 SupportDifferent
CW9800L
From its first release (Cisco IOS XE 17.18.2), with Multi-Link Operation and 320 MHz channels in 6 GHz
CW9800M
From Cisco IOS XE 17.15.2, with Multi-Link Operation and 320 MHz channels in 6 GHz
Uplink PortsDifferent
CW9800L
2 x 1/10G SFP+
CW9800M
4 x 1/10G SFP+; 2 x 25G SFP28
How to choose between CW9800L and CW9800M
Choose the CW9800L if the network will stay under 500 access points
The CW9800L handles 10,000 clients and 10 Gbps. It has 250 site tags against 3,000 on the CW9800M, so it suits networks with few branches. Each site can still hold 400 FlexConnect access points against 300.
Choose the CW9800M if growth past 500 access points is likely
The CW9800M supports 3,000 access points and 32,000 clients. Moving up from a CW9800L later means replacing both units of an HA pair, because stateful switchover pairs only identical hardware.
Before ordering a CW9800L or CW9800M, check power and rack space
The CW9800L runs from an external adapter and fits two to a rack unit without the redundant power kit. The CW9800M is a full-width rack unit that ships with one internal supply and takes a second for redundancy.
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Detailed comparison
Full specification comparison
| Comparison parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Product ID | CW9800L | CW9800M |
| Product and ordering | ||
| Product Type | Cisco CW9800L Wireless Controller | Cisco Catalyst CW9800M Wireless Controller |
| Scale and performance | ||
| Maximum Access Points | 500 | 3,000 |
| Maximum Clients | 10,000 | 32,000 |
| Maximum Throughput | 10 Gbps | 50 Gbps |
| Maximum Site Tags | 250 | 3,000 |
| Maximum FlexConnect APs per Site | 400 | 300 |
| 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 GHz | Wi-Fi 5 Wave 2, Wi-Fi 6/6E and Wi-Fi 7 APs; 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz |
| Wi-Fi 7 Support | From its first release (Cisco IOS XE 17.18.2), 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 17.18.2 | Cisco IOS XE 17.14.1 |
| Deployment Modes | Centralized, FlexConnect and fabric (SD-Access) | Centralized, FlexConnect and fabric (SD-Access) |
| Ports and interfaces | ||
| Uplink Ports | 2 x 1/10G SFP+ | 4 x 1/10G SFP+; 2 x 25G SFP28 |
| HA Redundancy Ports | 1 x RJ-45 | 1 x RJ-45; 1 x 1/10G SFPSFP redundancy port optics: GLC-SX-MMD, GLC-LH-SMD, SFP-10G-SR, SFP-10G-SR-S, SFP-10G-LR or SFP-10G-LR-S. |
| 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 Type-C | 2 x USB 3.0 |
| High availability and power | ||
| Stateful Switchover (SSO) | Supported (1:1 active-standby) | Supported (1:1 active-standby) |
| N+1 Redundancy | Not published by Cisco | Supported |
| Default Power Supply | 110 W external AC adapter (C9800-AC-110W) | Single 750 W AC power supply |
| Power Redundancy | Optional CW9800L-RPS= redundant power kit | 1+1 with an optional second AC power supply |
| Maximum Power Consumption | 90 WMeasured with a 4.5 W USB load. | 350 W |
| Heat Dissipation | 307.2 BTU/h | 1,194 BTU/h |
| Physical and environmental | ||
| Form Factor | 1RU, half-widthTwo units fit on the CW9800L-RMNT 1RU shelf when neither uses the redundant power supply. | 1RU |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 40.2 × 216 × 234.7 mm | 43.9 × 439.4 × 467.4 mm |
| Weight | 2.1 kg | 9.3 kg |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 40 °C | 0 to 40 °C; 0 to 50 °C short term |
| Operating Humidity | 5% to 95% | 10% to 90%; 5% to 90% short term |
| Operating Altitude | Up to 3,048 m (10,000 ft)Rated at 30 °C. | 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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