Cisco Catalyst 9136I Tri Band 802.11ax 10.20 Gbit/s Wireless Access Point - Indoor

The Cisco Catalyst 9136I Tri Band indoor wireless access point brings Wi‑Fi 6E power to enterprise networks, delivering exceptional capacity, reliability, and security for today’s dense environments. Built to take advantage of the new 6‑GHz spectrum, this AP provides a high‑performance foundation for modern workplaces, classrooms, healthcare facilities, and retail spaces. With smart, scalable management and robust security, the Catalyst 9136I is designed to simplify deployment, accelerate adoption of mobility and IoT, and reduce operational costs across large campuses and campus-like environments.

• Next‑generation Wi‑Fi 6E capability with tri‑band operation (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) to dramatically increase capacity and minimize interference in dense deployments, enabling smooth video, real‑time collaboration, and IoT workloads.
• Aggressive throughput designed to support bandwidth‑hungry applications, with a total aggregate data rate up to 10.20 Gbit/s, ensuring fast access to cloud services, business applications, and seamless roaming for mobile devices across large campuses.
• Enterprise‑grade security and resilience built into the platform, featuring hardware‑based protections and support for modern encryption standards to guard data in transit, prevent tampering, and simplify secure onboarding of users and devices.
• Intelligent management and analytics that integrate with Cisco’s proven network management ecosystem, enabling policy‑based access, real‑time RF optimization, proactive troubleshooting, and centralized firmware updates across numerous access points.
• Flexible indoor deployment designed for ceiling or wall mounting in offices, classrooms, hospitals, corporate lobbies, and retail environments, with easy scalability to support growing device density and evolving application needs.

Technical Details of Cisco Catalyst 9136I

• Wi‑Fi Standard: 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6/6E) with support for the new 6‑GHz band
• Bands: Tri‑band operation across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz
• Max Throughput: Up to 10.20 Gbit/s aggregate data rate
• Form Factor: Indoor access point designed for ceiling or wall mounting
• Security: Enterprise‑grade protections including modern encryption and hardware‑based security features
• Management: Integrates with Cisco DNA Center and compatible enterprise management platforms for policy, analytics, and automated workflows

How to install Cisco Catalyst 9136I

Deploying the Catalyst 9136I is streamlined for enterprise networks. Follow these general steps to ensure a secure, scalable installation that delivers optimal coverage and performance:

• Plan placement to maximize coverage and minimize interference, using a floorplan and RF heatmaps to identify high‑density zones and optimal AP densities.
• Prepare power and connectivity by ensuring a reliable PoE supply or compatible power option, and connect the AP to your network core via a switch with appropriate throughput capacity.
• Mount the AP in the chosen indoor location (ceiling or wall) using the provided mounting hardware, ensuring secure installation and proper clearance for optimal RF performance.
• Adopt the AP into your management domain through Cisco DNA Center or a compatible Wireless LAN Controller, apply baseline configurations, security policies, and SSIDs, and enable 6 GHz bands where appropriate.
• Validate operation with client devices, perform a quick roaming test to confirm seamless handoffs, monitor spectrum use, and apply RF optimization settings to maintain optimal performance as the environment evolves.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is 6 GHz Wi‑Fi 6E, and why does it matter for the Catalyst 9136I? A: The 6 GHz band expands available spectrum, enabling more channels with less interference. For dense environments, this means higher capacity, lower latency, and better performance for real‑time applications, AR/VR, and IoT devices.
• Q: Is the Catalyst 9136I suitable for indoor campus deployments? A: Yes. The indoor design, tri‑band performance, and robust management capabilities make it ideal for classrooms, offices, hospitals, and multi‑building campuses that require scalable, secure wireless coverage.
• Q: How does Cisco security protect the Catalyst 9136I and connected clients? A: The AP includes hardware‑based security features and supports contemporary encryption standards, with centralized policy enforcement, secure onboarding, and threat‑aware RF management through Cisco’s security and management tools.
• Q: Can the Catalyst 9136I be managed alongside other Cisco access points? A: Absolutely. The device is designed to integrate with Cisco DNA Center and other Cisco management ecosystems to provide unified policy, visibility, and automation across the wireless fabric.
• Q: What deployment scenarios benefit most from Wi‑Fi 6E tri‑band technology? A: Environments with high device density, latency‑sensitive apps, and a mix of modern smartphones, laptops, IoT sensors, and AR/VR devices—such as classrooms, corporate offices, healthcare facilities, and retail spaces.
• Q: Do I need special equipment to support 6 GHz operation? A: You will need access point hardware that supports 6 GHz and compatible client devices. For best results, pair the Catalyst 9136I with a Cisco‑enabled network core and appropriate channel planning to minimize interference and optimize performance.