Cisco Catalyst C9115E 802.11ax 5.38 Gbit/s Wireless Access Point

The Cisco Catalyst C9115E is a next‑generation Wi‑Fi 6 access point designed for enterprise campuses, crowded offices, and demanding environments where reliability, security, and seamless user experiences matter most. Built to handle the exponential growth of IoT devices and the soaring demand for high‑bandwidth applications, the C9115E delivers steady, scalable performance with intelligent radio management, resilient security, and effortless integration with Cisco’s broader networking ecosystem. This AP is engineered to optimize coverage, capacity, and efficiency, ensuring fast, reliable wireless access across hundreds of devices, from laptops to cameras, sensors, and business‑critical applications.

• The Cisco Catalyst C9115E brings Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) performance to the edge with innovations like OFDMA, MU‑MIMO, and Target Wake Time (TWT) to maximize spectral efficiency and battery life forIoT devices. This means higher aggregate throughput and more responsive connections even in dense environments such as classrooms, lecture halls, healthcare facilities, and large office floors. With a peak data rate of up to 5.38 Gbit/s, multi‑user efficiency scales as device density grows, reducing latency and improving application experiences across UC, collaboration, and cloud services.
• Designed for resilience and security, the C9115E provides secure onboarding, continuous threat protection, and robust access controls that align with enterprise policies. Features such as WPA3, 802.1X authentication, and Cisco’s security intelligence help safeguard sensitive data across guests, contractors, and employees. The AP supports secure firmware updates and strong device integrity checks, ensuring that networks stay protected as threats evolve. Its architecture is purpose‑built to minimize downtime and simplify policy enforcement through Cisco DNA Center integration and centralized management.
• Seamless, enterprise‑grade management is at the core of the C9115E. It supports zero‑touch provisioning, centralized policy enforcement, and scalable software updates, enabling IT teams to deploy, monitor, and optimize hundreds or thousands of APs with minimal manual intervention. Cloud‑friendly management options and Cisco’s intelligent analytics deliver actionable insights into client behavior, RF conditions, and network health, helping administrators tune coverage, reduce interference, and maximize user satisfaction without sacrificing security or control.
• Flexible deployment and reliable uptime are hallmarks of the C9115E. It is built to operate in a range of indoor environments with robust mounting options for ceilings or walls, and it supports multi‑gig uplinks to accommodate growing bandwidth needs. With energy‑efficient radio operations and intelligent scheduling, the AP helps manage power consumption while delivering consistent performance. Enterprises can deploy a mix of access points across campuses, campuses, or multi‑building deployments and rely on consistent RF behavior and policy consistency across locations.
• Its user‑centric features extend beyond sheer speed. The C9115E delivers enhanced roaming and fast handoffs, which keep meetings, video calls, and real‑time collaboration smooth as users move through space. Guest access, captive portal capabilities, and policy‑driven firewall rules ensure appropriate isolation and controls for visitors and contractors. The result is a secure, scalable, and intuitive wireless experience that supports modern work styles—from hot desks to collaboration spaces and intelligent IoT deployments.

Technical Details of Cisco Catalyst C9115E 802.11ax 5.38 Gbit/s Wireless Access Point

• Wi‑Fi Standard: 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6) delivering improved efficiency, capacity, and performance in dense environments with OFDMA, MU‑MIMO, and enhanced spatial reuse.
• Aggregate Data Rate: Up to 5.38 Gbit/s across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, enabling high‑bandwidth applications and smooth multi‑user experiences.
• Radio and Antennas: Dual‑band operation with integrated antennas designed to deliver strong coverage, stable performance, and efficient spectrum use in enterprise settings.
• Security and Compliance: Enterprise‑grade security with WPA3, 802.1X, secure boot, and tamper‑resistant firmware updates, coupled with Cisco’s threat intelligence to protect users and devices.
• Uplink and Power: Flexible deployment with multi‑gig Ethernet uplink options and PoE support to simplify wiring and ensure reliable power delivery to the AP in various environments.
• Management and Analytics: Easy integration with Cisco DNA Center for centralized management, policy enforcement, and visibility into RF performance, client behavior, and network health.

how to install Cisco Catalyst C9115E 802.11ax 5.38 Gbit/s Wireless Access Point

• Plan your deployment by mapping high‑density areas, traffic patterns, and coverage needs. Identify mounting locations that maximize visibility to clients while minimizing interference from reflectors, metals, and large obstacles. Prepare a network design that includes a dedicated PoE/Power over Ethernet switch or injector to ensure reliable power to the AP.
• Mount the access point on the ceiling or wall using the included hardware. Ensure the mounting surface is sturdy and that cabling routes unobtrusively to minimize maintenance concerns. Route Ethernet cables through approved conduits or cable trays to protect against wear and accidental disconnections.
• Connect the AP to a PoE or multi‑gig Ethernet port on your switch or local controller. After power is applied, give the device a moment to boot and reach a stable state before proceeding with configuration. If you are using Cisco DNA Center or another centralized management system, register the AP and adopt it into your fabric for policy enforcement and ongoing management.
• Configure RF profiles, SSIDs, and security settings. Create separate networks for corporate, guest, and IoT devices, apply appropriate firewall rules and access controls, and enable advanced features such as OFDMA, MU‑MIMO, and TWT where applicable. Optimize channel selection and transmit power to balance coverage and interference mitigation across the site.
• Test coverage and performance with real‑world devices, perform a spectrum analysis if needed, and adjust RF parameters to fine‑tune roaming and handoff behavior. Validate guest access flows, security policies, and QoS settings for voice and video to ensure a consistent user experience. Finally, enable firmware updates and monitor the network health dashboard for ongoing visibility and proactive maintenance.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the Cisco Catalyst C9115E designed for?

  A: It is an enterprise Wi‑Fi 6 access point designed to deliver high capacity, secure connectivity, and seamless roaming in dense office environments, campuses, classrooms, healthcare facilities, and other spaces with many connected devices and demanding applications.

• Q: What wireless standards and technologies does it support?

  A: It supports 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6) with technologies such as OFDMA, MU‑MIMO, and Target Wake Time to improve efficiency and performance for both traditional devices and IoT endpoints.

• Q: How is the C9115E managed?

  A: It integrates with Cisco DNA Center for centralized management, policy‑driven configurations, and scalable administration across large networks. It also supports cloud‑friendly deployment and streamlined firmware updates.

• Q: Does this access point support multi‑gig uplinks and PoE?

  A: Yes. The C9115E supports flexible uplink options, including multi‑gig Ethernet, and can be powered via PoE to simplify wiring and deployment in various enterprise environments.

• Q: What deployment scenarios benefit most from the C9115E?

  A: High‑density spaces such as corporate campuses, lecture halls, hospitals, shopping centers, and modern offices where reliable wireless access, fast roaming, strong security, and IoT support are essential for productivity and user satisfaction.