The Cisco Catalyst 9115AX family—including the 9115AXI (internal antennas) and 9115AXE (external antennas) models—is designed for enterprise environments demanding reliable 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6) performance.
With 4×4 MU‑MIMO, OFDMA, and multi‑gigabit uplinks, these Indoor Wireless APs deliver high capacity, intelligent RF optimization (CleanAir®, RRM), and seamless client mobility.
Ideal for offices, classrooms, and retail deployments, they integrate tightly with Cisco DNA Center and Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) for centralized management and advanced analytics.
Product Overview
Specifications
Feature | 9115AXI (Internal) | 9115AXE (External) |
Wi‑Fi Standard | IEEE 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6) | IEEE 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6) |
Radios | Dual‑radio: 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz (4×4:4) | Dual‑radio: 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz (4×4:4) |
Spatial Streams | 4×4 MU‑MIMO per radio | 4×4 MU‑MIMO per radio |
Max Aggregate Throughput | Up to 5.2 Gbps (1.7 + 3.5) | Up to 5.38 Gbps (vendor‑rated) |
Ethernet Ports | 1× 2.5 GbE uplink + 1× 1 GbE pass‑through | 1× 2.5 GbE uplink + 1× 1 GbE pass‑through |
Power over Ethernet | 802.3at PoE+ & Cisco UPOE | 802.3at PoE+ & Cisco 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 (future IoT modules) | USB 2.0 (future IoT modules) |
Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 for BLE services | Bluetooth 5.0 for BLE services |
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, WLC 9800‑Series, Embedded Wireless Controller | Cisco DNA Center, WLC 9800‑Series, Embedded Wireless Controller |
Warranty | Limited lifetime hardware; advance replacement | Limited lifetime hardware; advance replacement |
Catalyst 9115AX vs. Competitors
Feature | Cisco 9115AXI/E | Aruba AP‑515 | Ubiquiti UniFi U6‑Pro | Ruckus R650 |
Wi‑Fi Standard | 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6) | 802.11ax | 802.11ax | 802.11ax |
Spatial Streams | 4×4 (each band) | 4×4 (each band) | 4×4 @ 5 GHz, 2×2 @ 2.4 GHz | 4×4 (each band) |
Max Throughput | 5.2 / 5.38 Gbps | 5.95 Gbps | 3 Gbps | 3.55 Gbps |
Ethernet | 2.5 GbE + 1 GbE | 1 GbE | 2.5 GbE + 1 GbE | 2× 2.5 GbE + 2× 1 GbE |
PoE | 802.3at PoE+ & UPOE | 802.3at PoE+ | 802.3af PoE | 802.3at PoE+ |
Management | DNA Center / WLC / EWC | Aruba Central / Instant | UniFi Controller | SmartZone / Unleashed |
Price Tier | Premium | Mid‑range | Budget‑mid | Premium |
Advantages
- Multi‑Gigabit Uplink: 2.5 GbE uplink eliminates bottlenecks, outperforming most competitors’ 1 GbE links.
- Integrated Cisco Ecosystem: Deep integration with DNA Center, WLC, and Embedded Wireless Controller for unified policy, analytics, and automation.
- High‑Density RF Optimization: Features CleanAir®, Rx‑SOP, and Cisco RF Profiles for reliable performance in congested environments.
Disadvantages
- Higher Cost: Premium positioning may be a barrier for budget‑sensitive deployments compared to Aruba or Ubiquiti.
- Stream Count vs. Ruckus: 4×4 vs. R650’s multi‑antenna innovations (SmartMesh™, BeamFlex) which boost real‑world throughput.
- Power Requirements: Requires PoE+ or UPOE, whereas some rivals operate on PoE 802.3af.
Why Choose Cisco Catalyst 9115AX?
- Future‑Ready Performance: True Wi‑Fi 6 with OFDMA, MU‑MIMO, and BSS Coloring for ultra‑reliable, high‑capacity wireless.
- Multi‑Gigabit Backhaul: 2.5 GbE uplink ensures the AP’s high aggregate throughput is fully supported by your LAN.
- Unified Management: Single‑pane‑of‑glass control via Cisco DNA Center or Embedded Wireless Controller, with advanced analytics and automated remediation.
Technical Support and After‑Sales Service
Support Type | Network‑Switch.com | Cisco Official | Other 3rd‑Party Reseller |
Warranty | Limited lifetime hardware | Limited lifetime hardware | Varies |
Technical Support | 24/7 phone, email, chat (CCIE/HCIE team) | 24/7 Cisco TAC with SmartNet contract | Limited |
Firmware Updates | Regular (feature & security packs) | Regular with SmartNet | Irregular |
On‑Site Support | Available upon request | Service contracts available | Not available |
Configuration Assistance | Free guidance from certified engineers | Paid services | Not provided |
Remote Troubleshooting | 24/7 | 24/7 TAC | Limited |
Response Time | Instant for critical issues | SLA‑based | Delayed |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
-
What aggregate throughput can the 9115AX deliver?
Up to 5.2 Gbps (9115AXI) or 5.38 Gbps (9115AXE) for high‑capacity connections. -
How many spatial streams and radios?
Dual‑band AP with two 4×4:4 MU‑MIMO radios. -
Does it support multi‑gigabit backhaul?
Yes—a 2.5 GbE uplink plus 1 GbE pass‑through. -
Which Wi‑Fi 6 features are supported?
OFDMA uplink/downlink, multi‑user MIMO, BSS Coloring, Target Wake Time (TWT). -
What power options are available?
802.3at PoE+ or Cisco Universal PoE (UPOE) support. -
How is the AP managed?
Via Cisco DNA Center, Wireless LAN Controller 9800‑Series, or Embedded Wireless Controller mode. -
What security features are included?
WPA3, 802.1X/EAP, Cisco Trust Anchor, Secure Boot, and integrated Cisco ISE. -
What warranty coverage is provided?
Limited lifetime hardware warranty with advanced replacement options.
Conclusion and Buying Guide
The Cisco Catalyst 9115AXI/E series sets the bar for enterprise Wi‑Fi 6 with multi‑gigabit uplinks, advanced RF optimization, and seamless integration into the Cisco DNA ecosystem. For high‑density indoor deployments requiring reliability, security, and future‑proof performance, the Catalyst 9115AX family is the clear choice.
Where to Buy: Purchase through Network‑Switch.com for expert 24/7 support and free configuration assistance.
Learn More & Purchase: network‑switch.com/products/cisco-catalyst-9115axi
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