Cisco Catalyst 9117 Series Access Points Datasheet: Powering Next-Gen Enterprise Wi-Fi

In today's fast-paced world, where employees hop between home offices, coffee shops, and corporate campuses, reliable Wi-Fi isn't just nice—it's essential. Enter the Cisco Catalyst 9117 Series Access Points, part of the renowned Catalyst 9100AX family. These bad boys represent the next evolution in enterprise wireless, blending Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) prowess with rock-solid resilience and smarts that adapt to your network's needs. If you're scouting for gear that handles high-density environments without breaking a sweat, this datasheet deep-dive is your roadmap.

Drawing from the official Cisco Catalyst 9100AX Access Points Datasheet, we'll unpack everything from specs to real-world wins. Whether you're an IT pro upgrading a warehouse or a facilities manager outfitting a smart office, these APs deliver. Let's jump in.

Why Choose Cisco Catalyst 9117? The Wi-Fi 6 Revolution Explained

Ever walked into a conference room where video calls lag and apps crawl? That's the old world of Wi-Fi 5. The Catalyst 9117 flips the script with Wi-Fi 6 technology, promising up to 5.38 Gbps aggregate throughput. We're talking orthogonal frequency-division multiple-access (OFDMA) and multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) working in harmony to serve dozens of devices simultaneously.

Cisco didn't stop at speed. These access points are built for the enterprise grind: indoor deployments with flexible mounting options, whether ceiling-mounted in a bustling retail space or wall-mounted in a hotel lobby. Picture a university lecture hall packed with 200 students streaming lectures and downloading files—the 9117 handles it, reducing latency by up to 75% compared to previous gens.

And resilience? Dual 5 GHz radios ensure failover if one channel gets congested, while Bluetooth 5 and Zigbee support IoT integrations seamlessly. No more siloed networks; everything talks.

Key Features That Set the Catalyst 9117 Apart

Let's break down the standout capabilities that make the 9117 a networking powerhouse.

Blazing-Fast Performance with Wi-Fi 6E Readiness

• Dual-band concurrent operation: 4×4 in 5 GHz and 4×4 in 2.4 GHz for balanced coverage.
• Target Wake Time (TWT): Extends battery life on IoT devices—perfect for smart sensors in factories.
• 5200 Mbps max data rate: Handles 4K streaming, AR/VR, and cloud apps without flinching.

In a real-world example, a large hospital in Texas deployed Catalyst 9117 APs across its campus. Nurses now access patient records on tablets instantly, even during peak shift changes, cutting response times by 40%.

Intelligent Management via Cisco DNA

Cisco DNA Center shines here. These APs integrate with Cisco's AI-driven platform for zero-touch provisioning and predictive analytics. Spot interference before it hits? Check. Automate RF optimization? Absolutely.

Rhetorical question: Why manually tweak channels when AI does it for you, predicting issues with 95% accuracy?

Rock-Solid Security

Security breaches via Wi-Fi? Not on Cisco's watch. Features like Cisco Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA) detect malware in encrypted flows without decrypting them. Pair that with WPA3 encryption and rogue AP detection, and you've got fortress-level protection.

For compliance-heavy sectors like finance, TrustSec policy enforcement segments traffic dynamically—no VLAN headaches.

Technical Specifications at a Glance

No datasheet fluff without the nitty-gritty. Here's a parsed rundown from Cisco's doc:

Software-wise, it runs Cisco IOS XE with DNA Assurance for troubleshooting. Upsell potential? Cisco DNA Advantage licensing unlocks full analytics and automation.

Compared to competitors like Aruba or Ruckus, the 9117 edges out with native Cisco ecosystem integration—think seamless SD-WAN handoffs.

Deployment Scenarios: Where the 9117 Thrives

Flexibility defines these APs.

• High-Density Venues: Stadiums or convention centers? The 9117's OFDMA slices channels for microsecond responsiveness.
• Hybrid Workspaces: Cisco Spaces integration provides occupancy insights, optimizing HVAC and cleaning based on real-time data. Start your 30-day free trial to see it in action.
• Industrial IoT: Warehouses with forklift trackers and inventory bots? BLE and Zigbee handle thousands of endpoints.

One manufacturing client in Germany swapped legacy APs for 9117s, boosting throughput 3x and slashing downtime from IoT drops.

Overcoming Common Challenges

Upgrading wireless? Budget woes? The 9117's multigigabit Ethernet future-proofs your cabling—no rip-and-replace. Scalability? DNA Center manages thousands of APs centrally.

What about interference in dense urban offices? Cisco's Radio Resource Management (RRM) auto-adjusts, dodging microwave ovens and neighboring networks like a pro.

The Business Case: ROI You Can Bank On

Investing in Catalyst 9117 isn't expense—it's strategy. Expect 30-50% capacity gains, per Cisco benchmarks, translating to happier users and fewer helpdesk tickets. TCO drops with longer device lifecycles and energy-efficient modes.

Pair with Cisco Catalyst 9800 controllers for cloud-scale control. Licensing tiers (Essentials, Advantage, Premier) scale with needs.

Wrapping Up: Future-Proof Your Network Today

The Cisco Catalyst 9117 Series Access Points aren't just hardware; they're the intelligent core of modern enterprises. Resilient against disruptions, secure by design, and powered by Cisco DNA, they unlock smarter workplaces for hybrid teams.

Ready to deploy? Grab the full datasheet and chat with a Cisco rep. Your network's next level awaits.

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This post draws directly from Cisco's official resources. Always verify latest specs.