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The Cisco Catalyst 9120AX family—including the 9120AXI (internal antennas) and 9120AXE (external antennas) models—is engineered to deliver enterprise-class 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6) performance.
With four‑radio architecture (dual client radios plus dedicated scanning and IoT radios), 4×4 MU‑MIMO, OFDMA, and multi‑gigabit Ethernet uplinks, these Indoor Wireless APs provide superior capacity, intelligent RF optimization (CleanAir®, Flexible Radio Assignment), and seamless mobility.
Ideal for offices, campuses, and high‑density venues, the Catalyst 9120AX series integrates tightly with Cisco DNA Center and Wireless LAN Controllers for centralized management and AI‑driven analytics.
Product Overview
Specifications
| Feature | C9120AXI (Internal) | C9120AXE (External) |
| Wi‑Fi Standard | IEEE 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6) | IEEE 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6) |
| Radios | 2× client radios (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz), 1× scanning radio, 1× IoT radio | 2× client radios (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz), 1× scanning radio, 1× IoT radio |
| Spatial Streams | 4×4 MU‑MIMO on client radios; 4 spatial streams each | 4×4 MU‑MIMO on client radios; 4 spatial streams each |
| Max Aggregate Throughput | 5.38 Gbps (4.8 Gbps @ 5 GHz + 574 Mbps @ 2.4 GHz) | 5.38 Gbps (4.8 Gbps @ 5 GHz + 574 Mbps @ 2.4 GHz) |
| Ethernet Uplinks | 1× 2.5 GbE (PoE++), 1× 1 GbE (pass‑through) | 1× 2.5 GbE (PoE++), 1× 1 GbE (pass‑through) |
| PoE | 802.3at PoE+ & Cisco Universal PoE (UPOE) | 802.3at PoE+ & Cisco Universal PoE (UPOE) |
| CPU & Memory | 528 MHz CPU; 256 MB DRAM; 128 MB Flash | 528 MHz CPU; 2 GB DRAM; 1 GB Flash |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 for container/IoT modules | USB 2.0 for container/IoT modules |
| Bluetooth | BLE 5.0 for location services & IoT | BLE 5.0 for location services & IoT |
| Dimensions (Ø×H) | Ø 181 mm × 37 mm | Ø 181 mm × 37 mm |
| Weight | 0.48 kg | 0.48 kg |
| Operating Temp. | 0 °C to 40 °C; humidity 10–90% non‑condensing | 0 °C to 40 °C; humidity 10–90% non‑condensing |
| Security | WPA3, 802.1X/EAP, Cisco Trust Anchor, Secure Boot | WPA3, 802.1X/EAP, Cisco Trust Anchor, Secure Boot |
| Management | Cisco DNA Center, Catalyst 9800 WLC, Embedded Wireless Controller (up to 100 APs) | Cisco DNA Center, Catalyst 9800 WLC, Embedded Wireless Controller (up to 100 APs) |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime hardware; 10‑day advance replacement; 90‑day software media | Limited lifetime hardware; 10‑day advance replacement; 90‑day software media |
Catalyst 9120AX vs. Competitors
| Feature | Cisco 9120AXI/E | Aruba AP‑515 | Ubiquiti UniFi U6‑Pro | Ruckus R650 |
| Wi‑Fi Standard | 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6) | 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6) | 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6) | 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6) |
| Spatial Streams | 4×4 MU‑MIMO per client radio | 4×4 MU‑MIMO (4.8 Gbps) | 4×4:4 @ 5 GHz, 2×2:2 @ 2.4 GHz | 4×4:4 & 2×2:2 (peak 2.97 Gbps) |
| Max Throughput | 5.2–5.38 Gbps | 5.95 Gbps | 5.3 Gbps | 2.974 Gbps |
| Ethernet Uplinks | 2.5 GbE × 1 + 1 GbE | 1 GbE | 1 GbE | 2.5 GbE × 1 |
| PoE | 802.3at PoE+ / UPOE | 802.3at PoE+ | 802.3af PoE | 802.3at PoE+ |
| Management | DNA Center / WLC 9800 / EWC | Aruba Central / Instant | UniFi Controller | SmartZone / Unleashed |
| Price Tier | Premium | Mid‑range | Budget‑mid | Mid‑Premium |
Advantages
- Multi‑Gigabit Backhaul: The 2.5 GbE uplink ensures no LAN bottlenecks for the AP’s high throughput, outperforming competitors’ 1 GbE links.
- Four‑Radio Intelligence: Dedicated scanning and IoT radios plus flexible dual‑band client radios enable CleanAir®, Wireless Intrusion Prevention, and flexible radio assignment.
- Embedded Controller: Supports embedded WLC mode for up to 100 APs without extra hardware, accelerating small‑campus deployments.
Disadvantages
- Premium Cost: Higher acquisition price than mid‑range Aruba APs or Ubiquiti solutions.
- Power Requirements: Requires PoE+ or UPOE, where some rivals run on standard PoE.
- Per‑Client Throughput: 4×4 but fewer aggregate spatial streams than some high‑end Wi‑Fi 6E APs, limiting peak 160 MHz rates.
Why Choose Cisco Catalyst 9120AX?
- Industry‑Leading Wi‑Fi 6: OFDMA, MU‑MIMO, BSS Coloring, and TWT deliver superior capacity and efficiency in dense environments.
- Holistic Cisco Ecosystem: Deep integration with Cisco DNA Center, 9800‑series WLCs, and ISE provides policy, automation, and zero‑trust security.
- Flexible Deployment: Four‑radio SmartRF design and embedded controller reduce infrastructure complexity and maximize RF performance.
Technical Support and After‑Sales Service
| Support Type | Network‑Switch.com | Cisco Official | Other 3rd‑Party Reseller |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime hardware; 10‑day advance replacement | Limited lifetime hardware; SmartNet required | Varies |
| Technical Support | 24/7 phone, email, chat (CCIE/HCIE/RCNP team) | 24/7 Cisco TAC with SmartNet contract | Limited |
| Firmware Updates | Regular (feature/security packs included) | Regular via SmartNet | Irregular |
| On‑Site Support | Available upon request | Available via service contracts | Not available |
| Configuration Assistance | Free from certified engineers | Available with service contracts | Not provided |
| Remote Troubleshooting | 24/7 | 24/7 TAC | Limited |
| Response Time | Instant for critical issues | SLA‑based | Delayed |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
-
What is the maximum aggregate throughput?
The 9120AXI/E delivers up to 5.38 Gbps (4.8 Gbps @ 5 GHz + 574 Mbps @ 2.4 GHz). -
How many radios and spatial streams?
Four radios (2× client, 1× scanning, 1× IoT) with 4×4 MU‑MIMO on each client radio. -
Does it support multi‑gigabit uplink?
Yes - 2.5 GbE uplink plus a 1 GbE pass‑through port, preventing backhaul bottlenecks. -
Which Wi‑Fi 6 features are supported?
OFDMA (up/down), MU‑MIMO, BSS Coloring, Target Wake Time (TWT), Spatial Reuse, and Cisco CleanAir®. -
What management options are available?
Managed via Cisco DNA Center, Catalyst 9800 WLC, or Embedded Wireless Controller mode (up to 100 APs). -
What security features are included?
WPA3, 802.1X/EAP, Cisco Trust Anchor, Secure Boot, and integration with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE). -
What’s the difference between 9120AXI and 9120AXE?
9120AXI has built‑in internal antennas; 9120AXE supports external antennas and a smart‑antenna DART connector for high‑density open spaces. -
What warranty coverage is provided?
Limited lifetime hardware warranty with 10‑day advance replacement and 90‑day software media guarantee.
Conclusion
The Cisco Catalyst 9120AXI/E series represents the pinnacle of Cisco Wi‑Fi 6 APs, combining multi‑gig uplinks, four‑radio intelligence, and deep Cisco DNA integration.
For enterprises seeking reliable, high‑capacity indoor Wi‑Fi, advanced security, and unified management, the Catalyst 9120AX is the clear choice.
Where to Buy: Available through Network‑Switch.com, backed by 24/7 expert support and free configuration assistance.
Learn More & Purchase: network‑switch.com/products/cisco-catalyst-9120axi
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