Features

Quad–radio Aggregate Frame Rate of up to 24 Gbps

A 6 GHz 4x4:4,  Dual 5 GHz 4x4:4 and 2.4 GHz 4x4:4 radio offer a combined Quad radio aggregate frame rate of 24 Gbps*, with up to 11,520 Mbps in 6GHz band, 5,700 Mbps 5 GHz band (each Radio) and, 688 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band. Technologies like transmit beamforming and enhanced receive sensitivity allow the CW9178I to support a higher client density than typical enterprise-class access points, resulting in better performance for more clients, from each AP.

* Refers to maximum over-the-air data frame rate capability of the radio chipset, and may exceed data rates allowed by IEEE 802.11be operation.

Multi Link Operation (MLO)

With support for features of 802.11be, the CW9178I can operate in multiple bands simultaneously to achieve higher throughput and reduced latency. This improves network performance and the end-user experience.

Multi User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO)

With support for features of 802.11ax, the CW9178I offers DL/UL MU-MIMO and OFDMA for more efficient transmission to multiple clients. Suited for environments with numerous mobile devices, MU-MIMO and OFDMA enable multiple clients to receive data simultaneously.

Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon and Scanning Radio

An integrated Bluetooth radio provides seamless deployment of BLE Beacon functionality and effortless visibility of Bluetooth devices. The CW9178I enables the next generation of location-aware applications while future-proofing deployments.

Automatic Cloud-Based RF Optimization

The RF data collected by the dedicated fourth radio is continuously fed back to the Meraki cloud. This data is then used to automatically tune the channel selection, transmit power, and client connection settings for optimal performance under even the most challenging RF conditions.

Integrated Enterprise Security and Guest Access

The CW9178I features integrated, easy-to-use technologies to provide secure connectivity for employees and guests alike. Advanced security features such as AES hardware-based encryption, Enterprise authentication with 802.1X, and Active Directory integration provide wired-like security while still being easy to configure. CW9178I also supports WPA3 192-bit encryption for added wireless network security. One-click guest isolation provides secure, Internet-only access for visitors. PCI compliance reports check network settings against PCI requirements to simplify secure retail deployments.

Dedicated Scanning Radio Delivers 24x7 Air Marshal and RF Analytics

The CW9178I’s dedicated tri-band scanning and security radio continually assesses the environment, characterizing RF interference and containing (in 2.4GHz and 5GHz only, since 6GHz mandates PMF) wireless threats like rogue access points. There’s no need to choose between wireless security (AirMarshal), advanced RF analysis, and serving client data - a dedicated fourth radio means that all functions occur in real-time, without any impact on client traffic or AP throughput.

Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) & Mobile Device Management (MDM) Integration

Meraki Systems Manager natively integrates with the CW9178I to offer automatic, context-aware security. Meraki Systems Manager’s self-service enrollment helps to rapidly deploy MDM without installing additional equipment, and then dynamically tie firewall and traffic shaping policies to client posture.

Application-Aware Traffic Shaping

The CW9178I includes an integrated layer 7 packet inspection, classification, and control engine, enabling the configuration of QoS policies based on traffic type, helping to prioritize mission-critical applications while setting limits on recreational traffic like peer-to-peer and video streaming. Policies can be implemented per network, per SSID, per user group, or individual user for maximum flexibility and control.

Voice and Video Optimizations

Industry-standard QoS features are built-in and easy to configure. Wireless Multimedia (WMM) access categories, 802.1p, and DSCP standards support, all ensure important applications get prioritized correctly, not only on the CW9178I, but on other devices in the network. Unscheduled Automatic Power Save Delivery (U-APSD) and new Target Wait Time feature in 802.11ax clients ensure minimal battery drain on wireless VoIP phones.

Self-configuring, Self-Maintaining, Always Up-to-Date

When plugged in, the CW9178I automatically connects to the Meraki cloud, downloads its configuration, and joins the appropriate network. Administrators can schedule firmware upgrades for their dashboard network seamlessly. This ensures the network is kept up-to-date with bug fixes, security updates, and new features.

Meraki Health

CW9178I supports analytics to provide machine learning-based anomaly detection, server root cause analysis, wireless client scoring based on performance and connectivity metrics and network benchmarking for networks of similar size and vertical. Additionally, the CW9178I provides advanced location analytics via API and graphs in the dashboard to provide a clear picture of client density and their movement across the floor plan.

Choice of Mode

Cisco Wireless 9178I Series access points can be managed either on-premises with Catalyst 9800 Wireless Lan Controllers (WLC) or cloud-managed through the dashboard. Customers have the flexibility to deploy these access points in one mode and migrate to the other mode in the future.