Huawei AirEngine 9703 Access Controllers – Scalable WLAN Management

The Huawei AirEngine 9703 series—comprising the AirEngine 9703‑S and AirEngine 9703‑H models—is engineered for midsize to hyperscale enterprise networks.

These controllers deliver massive AP management (4,096 to 20,480 APs), multi‑gigabit forwarding (120–160 Gbps), and support up to 307,200 concurrent users. With flexible interface options, SmartRadio optimization, and advanced security, the AirEngine 9703 Access Controllers provide unified, high‑availability WLAN control.

Products Overview

Specifications

Feature	AirEngine 9703‑S	AirEngine 9703‑H
Max Managed APs	4,096 APs	20,480 APs
Max Concurrent Users	51,200 users	307,200 users
Forwarding Capacity	120 Gbps	160 Gbps
Interfaces	2×100 G QSFP28 or 4×40 G QSFP+ + 8×GE combo	1×100 G + 2×40 G + 4×25 G + 8×10 G + 8×GE combo
Wireless Protocols	802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be	802.11n/ac/ax/be
Forwarding Modes	Direct & Tunnel	Direct & Tunnel
High Availability	1+1 Hot Standby (HSB)	1+1 Hot Standby (HSB)
Surge Protection	6 kV common‑mode on Ethernet	6 kV common‑mode on Ethernet
Dimensions (H×W×D)	43.6 × 442 × 420 mm	43.6 × 442 × 420 mm
Weight	~6.8 kg	~7.6 kg
Operating Temp.	0 °C to +45 °C	0 °C to +45 °C
Power Supply	1+1 AC/DC redundancy	1+1 AC/DC redundancy
Management	Web GUI, CLI, eSight, CloudCampus	Web GUI, CLI, eSight, CloudCampus

AirEngine 9703 vs. Competitors

Feature	Huawei 9703‑S/H	Cisco Catalyst 9800‑L	Aruba 9000 Series
Max Managed APs	4,096 / 20,480 APs	2,000 APs	1,000 APs
Max Users	51,200 / 307,200 users	5,000 users	2,048 users
Forwarding Capacity	120 Gbps / 160 Gbps	40 Gbps	20 Gbps
Interface Speeds	Up to 100 G/40 G/25 G/10 G + GE combo	10 G/2.5 G + GE combo	10 G + GE combo

Advantages

Scalability: Up to 20,480 APs and 307,200 users on the 9703‑H, far exceeding Cisco and Aruba capacities.
High Throughput: 160 Gbps forwarding on 9703‑H ensures peak performance for bandwidth‑heavy applications.
Flexible Interfaces: Supports a broad range of high‑rate ports (100G/40G/25G/10G + GE), matching diverse network designs.

Disadvantages

Premium Price: Advanced specs position the 9703 series at the top price tier, which may deter cost‑sensitive buyers.
Hardware‑Only: Lacks a virtualization option found in some Cisco controllers, limiting deployment flexibility.
Complex Configuration: High feature density requires skilled staff; smaller teams may prefer simpler Aruba deployments.

Why Choose Huawei AirEngine 9703 Series?

Unmatched Density: Manages up to 20,480 APs with 307,200 users—ideal for hyperscale campuses.
Peak Performance: Delivers up to 160 Gbps forwarding and SmartRadio optimizations for low‑latency, high‑reliability wireless.
Future‑Ready Security & O&M: Comprehensive WPA3, 802.1X, role‑based ACLs, plus rich analytics via eSight and CloudCampus.

Technical Support and After‑Sales Service

Support Type	Network‑Switch.com	Huawei Official	Other 3‑Party Resellers
Product Warranty	3 years	3 years	Varies
Technical Support	24/7 phone, email, chat	Business hours	Limited
Firmware Updates	Regular	Regular	Irregular
On‑Site Support	Available upon request	Available upon request	Not available
Configuration Assistance	Free	Free	Not provided
Remote Troubleshooting	24/7	Business hours	Limited
Response Time	Instant for critical issues	Standard	Delayed

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the forwarding throughput of the 9703 series?
Up to 120 Gbps (9703‑S) and 160 Gbps (9703‑H) to handle heavy traffic loads.
How many APs can each model manage?
The 9703‑S manages up to 4,096 APs, while the 9703‑H supports up to 20,480 APs.
What wireless standards are supported?
Both models support 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be for broad device compatibility.
Which interface options are available?
They offer 100 G/40 G/25 G/10 G optical ports plus 8 GE combo ports for flexible uplinks.
Does the 9703 series support high availability?
Yes—both support 1+1 Hot Standby (HSB) for seamless failover.
How many users can each controller handle?
The 9703‑S supports 51,200 users; the 9703‑H up to 307,200 users.
What security features are included?
Enterprise‑grade WPA3, 802.1X, RADIUS, ACLs, and SNMPv3 ensure robust protection.
Which management platforms are supported?
Manage via built‑in Web GUI, CLI, or integrate with Huawei eSight and CloudCampus for centralized O&M.

Conclusion

The Huawei AirEngine 9703 series delivers industry‑leading scalability, multi‑gig throughput, and advanced security in a rack‑mount form factor.

Whether for midsize campuses (9703‑S) or hyperscale environments (9703‑H), these Huawei Wireless Access Controllers streamline WLAN operations and future‑proof your network.

To explore pricing and tailored solutions, visit network-switch.com or contact your authorized reseller.

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