The Cisco Catalyst C9105AXI is a highly compact, cost-effective Wi-Fi 6 enterprise Access Point. Featuring built-in antennas, 2x2 MIMO, and OFDMA technology, it delivers secure, high-performance wireless connectivity perfect for teleworkers, branch offices, and small-to-medium deployments.
Quick Specs:
· Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
· Antenna Type: Internal Antennas (-I)
· Radios: 2x2:2 MIMO (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz)
· Uplink: 1 x 10/100/1000 Base-T (RJ45)
· Power: 802.3af PoE (15.4W)
Form Factor: Ultra-compact ceiling/wall mount
Comprehensive Product Overview
The Cisco Catalyst C9105AXI expands the industry-leading Catalyst 9100 Series by providing an incredibly compact, budget-friendly entry point into true intent-based wireless networking. As a fully certified Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Access Point, the C9105AXI is engineered to seamlessly bridge the gap between growing bandwidth demands and the need for discreet, easy-to-deploy hardware. Despite its small footprint, it packs powerful enterprise-grade features. Utilizing 2×2 MU-MIMO and Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), it significantly improves wireless efficiency, reducing latency for IoT devices and mobile clients in low-to-medium density environments. Whether managed via a physical Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controller or deployed using Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC) technology, the C9105AXI ensures secure, reliable, and intelligent connectivity.
Key Features & Business Benefits
Next-Gen Wi-Fi 6 Performance: Step into the future of wireless. By supporting 802.11ax technologies like OFDMA and BSS Coloring, the C9105AXI delivers more predictable performance for advanced applications (like 4K video and VoIP) compared to older 802.11ac wave 2 access points.
Ultra-Compact & Sleek Design: The “I” in the model name stands for Internal Antennas. Its sleek, low-profile design blends effortlessly into modern office ceilings, hotel rooms, or retail spaces without disrupting the aesthetic environment.
Low Power Consumption: Operates flawlessly on standard IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE). There is no need to upgrade your edge switches to expensive PoE+ (30W) models, making infrastructure upgrades highly cost-effective.
Cisco DNA & Intelligent Capture: Fully integrated with Cisco DNA Center. It provides deep analytics, proactive network monitoring, and Intelligent Capture, allowing IT to detect, locate, and mitigate wireless interference and security threats in real-time.
Target Wake Time (TWT): Significantly extends the battery life of connected mobile and IoT devices. TWT allows the AP to schedule when devices wake up to send or receive data, drastically reducing power consumption on the client side.
Technical Specifications
Specification
Details for C9105AXI
Product Series
Cisco Catalyst 9100 Series (9105 Model)
Wireless Standard
Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax)
Antenna Design
Internal integrated antennas
Radio Capabilities
2.4 GHz: 2x2 MU-MIMO / 5 GHz: 2x2 MU-MIMO
Maximum Spatial Streams
2 Spatial Streams
Key Technologies
OFDMA, BSS Coloring, Target Wake Time (TWT)
Network Interface
1 x 10/100/1000 BASE-T (RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet)
Power Requirements
IEEE 802.3af PoE (15.4W)
Management Architecture
Cisco Catalyst 9800 WLC, Cisco DNA Center
Dimensions (W x L x H)
5.9 x 5.9 x 1.18 in. (15 x 15 x 3.0 cm)
Ideal Application Scenarios
Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs): The perfect balance of performance and price. Provides robust, secure Wi-Fi 6 coverage for typical office environments without overspending on high-density hardware.
Hospitality & Retail: The ultra-compact, internal-antenna design allows the AP to be discreetly mounted on ceilings or walls in hotel rooms, boutiques, and cafes, delivering fast Wi-Fi without impacting interior design.
Teleworker / Remote Office: Easily deployed in home offices or remote branch locations. It provides remote employees with the same secure, enterprise-grade wireless experience they would have at corporate headquarters.
Required Components & Licensing
To ensure proper operation of your C9105AXI Access Points, note the following ecosystem requirements: Wireless Controller: Must be managed by a Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series WLC (e.g., C9800-L, C9800-40) or configured with Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC). Mounting Bracket: Includes a standard mounting bracket for drop-ceiling grids. Additional brackets (e.g., AIR-AP-BRACKET-1) may be required for hard walls/ceilings. Cisco DNA Software Subscription: A mandatory Cisco DNA Essentials or DNA Advantage subscription (3, 5, or 7-year term) is required per Access Point for centralized management and analytics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What does the “I” mean in C9105AXI?
A1: The “I” stands for Internal Antennas. This means the antennas are built seamlessly into the chassis, making it ideal for clean, indoor aesthetic deployments. Models ending in “E” (External) require separate, screw-on antennas.
Q2: Does the C9105AXI support Wi-Fi 6E (6 GHz band)?
A2: No. The C9105AXI is a Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) access point operating on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. If you require Wi-Fi 6E (the 6 GHz spectrum), you should look at the Cisco Catalyst 9136 or 9166 series access points.
Q3: Can I power this AP using a standard PoE switch?
A3: Yes. One of the greatest advantages of the C9105AXI is its low power draw. It operates at full Wi-Fi 6 capacity using standard IEEE 802.3af PoE (15.4W), meaning you do not need to upgrade your switches to PoE+ (30W).
Q4: How does the C9105AXI compare to the C9115AXI?
A4: The C9105AXI is an entry-level Wi-Fi 6 AP with 2×2 MIMO, designed for low-to-medium density areas. The C9115AXI is a step up, featuring 4×4 MIMO on the 5 GHz band, offering higher throughput for denser client environments.
Q5: Can it operate without a physical hardware controller?
A5: Yes. The C9105AXI can run the Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC) software. This allows one AP to act as a virtual controller for a small cluster of other APs, completely eliminating the need to purchase a separate hardware appliance for small sites.
