Cisco Catalyst C9800-L-C-K9 Wireless LAN Controller
The Cisco Catalyst C9800-L-C-K9 is a high-performance, compact Wireless LAN Controller designed for midsize campuses and branches. Featuring 4x 1G/2.5G RJ45 copper ports, it supports up to 250 Access Points, 5000 clients, and delivers 5 Gbps of reliable wireless throughput.
Quick Specs:
· Capacity: 250 Access Points (APs) / 5000 Clients
· Throughput: 5 Gbps
· Uplinks: 4 x 1G/2.5G RJ45 Copper (mGig)
· Operating System: Cisco IOS XE
· Security: WPA3, TrustSec, Encrypted Traffic Analytics
· Form Factor: 1RU Rack-mountable (Half-width)
Comprehensive Product Overview
The Cisco Catalyst C9800-L-C-K9 is a highly resilient, enterprise-class Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) that bridges the gap between intent-based networking and the demands of modern wireless connectivity. Built from the ground up for Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Wi-Fi 6E, it operates on the highly secure, open, and programmable Cisco IOS XE operating system. Tailored perfectly for midsize enterprises and distributed branch offices, the C9800-L ensures your wireless network is always-on, highly secure, and easy to deploy. This specific “-C” (Copper) model provides 2.5G Multigigabit RJ45 uplink ports, allowing IT administrators to leverage existing Cat5e/Cat6 copper cabling while achieving the multi-gigabit speeds necessary to support high-density wireless traffic, BYOD, and IoT integrations without bottlenecks.
Key Features & Business Benefits
Always-On High Availability: Say goodbye to wireless downtime. The C9800-L supports hitless software upgrades, hot patching (AP Service Packs), and Stateful Switchover (SSO). You can patch security vulnerabilities or upgrade the controller software without forcing Access Points to reboot or dropping client connections.
Seamless Wi-Fi 6 Performance: Engineered specifically to handle the immense throughput and client density of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E environments, delivering a non-blocking 5 Gbps of wireless throughput to keep applications running smoothly.
Cost-Effective Copper Connectivity: The -C-K9 model features four 1/2.5G RJ45 Multigigabit (mGig) ports. This allows businesses to connect the controller to their core network using standard copper cabling, eliminating the need to purchase expensive fiber SFP modules.
Advanced Wireless Security: Protect your wireless edge with robust security features, including native support for WPA3 encryption, Cisco TrustSec, MACsec, and Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA) to detect malicious patterns in encrypted wireless traffic.
Cisco DNA Center Automation: Fully integrated with Cisco Software-Defined Access (SD-Access). Manage, provision, and troubleshoot your entire wireless and wired network from a single, centralized Cisco DNA Center dashboard.
Technical Specifications
Specification
Details for C9800-L-C-K9
Product Series
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series
Maximum Access Points (APs)
250
Maximum Wireless Clients
5,000
Wireless Throughput
5 Gbps
Network Interfaces
4 x 1G/2.5G Base-T (RJ45 Copper)
Additional Ports
2 x 10G SFP+ (for 10G fiber uplinks if needed)
Operating System
Cisco IOS XE Software
Maximum WLANs
4096
VLANs Supported
4096
High Availability
Stateful Switchover (SSO) Supported
Power Supply
Single internal 110W AC Power Supply
Dimensions (H x W x D)
1.73 x 8.5 x 9.06 in. (4.39 x 21.59 x 23.01 cm)
Ideal Application Scenarios
Midsize Enterprise Campus: The perfect standalone controller to manage and secure wireless coverage across a corporate office utilizing up to 250 high-throughput Wi-Fi 6 Access Points.
Distributed Branch Offices: Deploy the C9800-L at large branch locations to provide localized, highly resilient wireless control, ensuring branch survivability even if the WAN link to the headquarters drops.
K-12 Education & Retail: Delivers secure, high-capacity Wi-Fi access for thousands of student devices or retail shoppers, utilizing the existing copper cabling infrastructure to reduce installation costs.
Supported Accessories & Licensing
Ensure your wireless network is fully operational and compliant by pairing your C9800-L-C-K9 with the following: C9800-RMNT=: Standard 19-inch Rack Mount Kit (Note: The C9800-L is half-width, so this kit allows two units to be mounted side-by-side in 1RU). Cisco DNA Software Subscriptions: To manage Access Points, you must purchase a Cisco DNA Essentials or DNA Advantage subscription license (3, 5, or 7 years) per attached Access Point. The controller itself does not require a separate hardware license. Compatible Access Points: Fully supports Cisco Catalyst 9100 Series (Wi-Fi 6/6E) and Aironet 802.11ac Wave 1 / Wave 2 Access Points.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What does the “-C” stand for in the C9800-L-C-K9 model?
A1: The “-C” stands for Copper. It indicates that the primary uplink ports on this controller are four 1G/2.5G RJ45 Base-T ports. If you require Fiber SFP uplinks instead, you should look for the C9800-L-F-K9 model.
Q2: How many Access Points (APs) can this controller manage out of the box?
A2: The C9800-L controller hardware supports a maximum capacity of 250 APs and 5,000 clients. However, you must purchase the appropriate Cisco DNA software licenses for the exact number of APs you plan to connect.
Q3: Does the C9800-L require an additional Right-to-Use (RTU) AP license?
A3: No. Unlike older Cisco WLCs (such as the 5520 or 3504), the Catalyst 9800 series uses Cisco Smart Licensing and the Cisco DNA licensing model. You simply purchase a DNA Essentials or Advantage term license for each Access Point.
Q4: Can I set up High Availability (HA) with two C9800-L controllers?
A4: Yes. You can deploy two C9800-L controllers in an Active/Standby Stateful Switchover (SSO) configuration. If the primary controller fails, the secondary takes over instantaneously without dropping active wireless client sessions.
Q5: Is the power supply redundant?
A5: No. The Catalyst C9800-L has a single, fixed internal power supply. If you require a controller with dual redundant hot-swappable power supplies, you would need to step up to the larger Catalyst C9800-40-K9 controller.
