The Meraki CW9166I is a cloud-managed 4x4:4 Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) indoor access point with separate radios dedicated to security.

Key Features

• 4x4:4 MU-MIMO 802.11ax compatible
• 7.78 Gbps tri-radio aggregate frame rate
• 24x7 real-time WIDS/WIPS and spectrum analytics via dedicated fourth radio
• Integrated Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon and scanning radio
• Single 5 Gbps mGig Ethernet port support 
• USB 2.0 host interface (Type A connector) with a 4.5W power budget 
• Enhanced transmit power and receive sensitivity
• Full-time Wi-Fi location tracking via dedicated 3rd radio
• Integrated enterprise security and guest access
• Application-aware traffic shaping
• Optimized for voice and video
• Self-configuring, plug-and-play deployment
• Sleek design blends into office environments
• Limited lifetime warranty
  
  

Options
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Meraki Systems Manager
50W Power Adapter
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About This Product
A tri-band access point compatible with 802.11ax, featuring distinct radios for security, RF management, and Bluetooth®, along with a USB port for additional connectivity options.

Flexible Deployment Options
The Cisco Catalyst 9166 Series Access Points (AP) offer the flexibility to choose between on-premises and cloud management. These next-generation APs are ideal for mission-critical deployments and support the new 6GHz band for Wi-Fi, providing resilience, security, and intelligence.

The Cisco Catalyst 9166 series Wi-Fi 6E access points operate in the 6GHz band, creating a more reliable and secure network with higher throughput, increased capacity, and reduced device interference. These access points feature three 4x4 radios and a range of advanced capabilities, including integrated environmental sensors (available in DNA Mode) and IoT radios. The Catalyst 9166 Series also includes an internal directional antenna model, the Catalyst 9166D1, designed for areas with high ceilings such as auditoriums, warehouses, and other large open spaces. The Catalyst 9166D1 eliminates the need for additional hardware to achieve optimal wireless coverage by using a built-in directional antenna.

Operational management is highly flexible, allowing customers to switch their network management at any time. If a network with Cisco Catalyst 9166 Series Access Points was initially deployed on-premises, it can be transitioned to cloud-based management without the need for additional hardware, saving costs.

By combining the leading on-premises network platform (Catalyst) with the top cloud IT platform (Meraki), these access points deliver an exceptional network experience. For organizations seeking a wireless solution that provides a reliable, flexible, and superior user experience, the Cisco Catalyst 9166 Series Access Points are the optimal choice.

Cisco Meraki Cloud Management
Integrating the Cisco Catalyst 9166 Series Access Points with the Meraki cloud platform offers organizations a seamless IT experience for network monitoring and management. The Meraki dashboard features an intuitive and interactive web interface that connects your network to the industry's leading cloud IT platform.

The Meraki dashboard provides advanced and scalable tools to automate network optimization, implement policy and segmentation configurations across numerous sites and devices, and manage a comprehensive network from SD-WAN to Access to IoT technologies. This platform supports over 3.5 million active networks globally.

Together, the Catalyst 9166 Series and Cisco Meraki offer features such as:

• Cisco Spaces
• Cisco Identity Services Engine
• Meraki Health intelligent optimisation and assurance
• Meraki Vision, smart cameras, and sensors for network closet monitoring
  
  

Cisco DNA and Catalyst 9800 WLC
The Cisco Catalyst 9166 Series Access Points can also be integrated with the Catalyst 9800 Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) and Cisco Catalyst Center. Cisco Catalyst Center provides real-time analytics to help you understand your network, swiftly detect and mitigate security threats, and ensure network-wide consistency through automation and virtualization.

Together, the Catalyst 9166 Series and Cisco DNA offer features such as:

• Cisco Spaces
• Cisco Identity Services Engine
• Cisco DNA Analytics and Assurance along with Intelligence Capture (iCAP)
• For information about Cisco DNA, refer to the Cisco DNA Solution Overview

Software configurable flex radio architecture for 6 GHz support
The Cisco Catalyst Wireless 9166 features a software-defined flex radio that can operate in either 5 GHz or 6 GHz mode, allowing for a dual 5 GHz configuration or a true tri-band setup.

The tri-band configuration utilizes the new 6 GHz spectrum, providing additional channels to enhance throughput and reduce interference and noise from older devices. With 6 GHz support, the CW9166 is ready for future technologies.

High-performance 802.11ax compatible wireless
The CW9166 is a cloud-managed 4x4:4 802.11ax compatible access point that sets a new standard for wireless performance and efficiency. Ideal for next-generation deployments in offices, schools, hospitals, retail shops, and hotels, the CW9166 offers high throughput, enterprise-grade security, and easy management.

The CW9166 delivers a maximum aggregate frame rate of 7.78 Gbps* with concurrent 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz radios. It includes a dedicated fourth radio for real-time WIDS/WIPS with automated RF optimization, and a fifth integrated IoT radio for Bluetooth scanning and beaconing.

Combining cloud management, high-performance hardware, multiple radios, and advanced software features, the CW9166 is an excellent platform for demanding applications, including high-density deployments and bandwidth-intensive uses like voice (Cisco WebEx) and high-definition video.

CW9166 and Meraki cloud management
The CW9166 is managed through the Meraki cloud, featuring an intuitive browser-based interface that enables rapid deployment without the complexity and time-consuming staging process. Being self-configuring and web-managed, the CW9166 can be deployed at remote locations within minutes, even without on-site IT staff.

The Meraki cloud provides 24/7 monitoring, delivering real-time alerts if any network issues arise. Remote diagnostic tools enable immediate troubleshooting over the web, ensuring that distributed networks can be managed with minimal hassle.

Firmware updates for the CW9166 are automatically handled via the cloud. New features, bug fixes, and enhancements are seamlessly delivered over the web, eliminating the need for manual software updates or concerns about missing security patches.

Tri–radio aggregate frame rate of up to 7.78 Gbps
The CW9166 features radios operating at 6 GHz, 5 GHz, and 2.4 GHz, each with a 4x4:4 configuration, collectively delivering a tri-radio aggregate frame rate of 7.78 Gbps. Advanced technologies such as transmit beamforming and improved receive sensitivity enable the CW9166 to accommodate a higher number of clients compared to standard enterprise access points, enhancing performance for more users per AP.

* Refers to maximum over-the-air data frame rate capability of the radio chipset, and may exceed data rates allowed by IEEE 802.11ax operation.

Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO)
The CW9166 supports 802.11ax features, including DL and UL MU-MIMO and OFDMA, which enhance transmission efficiency to multiple clients. Ideal for environments with many mobile devices, these technologies allow simultaneous data reception by multiple clients, boosting overall network performance and improving user experience.

IoT and Bluetooth Low Energy Radio
The integrated Bluetooth radio facilitates seamless BLE Beacon functionality and easy visibility of Bluetooth devices. This prepares the CW9166 for next-generation location-aware applications and future customer engagement strategies.

Automatic cloud-based RF Optimisation
The CW9166's advanced RF optimization eliminates the need for dedicated hardware and RF expertise typically required for wireless network tuning. Data collected by the fourth radio is continuously sent to the Meraki cloud, which uses it to automatically adjust channel selection, transmit power, and client connection settings for optimal performance in challenging RF conditions.

Integrated Enterprise Security and Guest Access
The CW9166 offers integrated security technologies for secure connectivity for both employees and guests. Features like AES hardware-based encryption and Enterprise authentication with 802.1X and Active Directory integration provide robust security while remaining easy to configure. It also supports 192-bit encryption and WPA3 for enhanced wireless network security.

One-click guest isolation ensures secure, Internet-only access for visitors. PCI compliance reports help simplify secure retail deployments by checking network settings against PCI requirements.

Dedicated scanning radio delivers 24x7 Air Marshal and RF analytics
The CW9166's dedicated scanning radio allows real-time wireless security (AirMarshal), advanced RF analysis, and client data service without impacting client traffic or AP throughput. The tri-band scanning radio continuously monitors the environment, characterizing RF interference and containing wireless threats like rogue access points. Note that containment is only possible in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, as 6 GHz requires Protected Management Frames (PMF).

Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) & Mobile Device Management (MDM) integration
Meraki Systems Manager integrates with the CW9166 to provide automatic, context-aware security. Self-service enrollment enables rapid MDM deployment without additional equipment, dynamically linking firewall and traffic shaping policies to client posture.

Application-aware traffic shaping
The CW9166 includes a layer 7 packet inspection, classification, and control engine, allowing QoS policy configuration based on traffic type. This helps prioritize mission-critical applications while limiting recreational traffic like peer-to-peer and video streaming. Policies can be applied per network, SSID, user group, or individual user for maximum flexibility and control.

Voice and video optimisations
Built-in industry-standard QoS features are easy to configure. Wireless Multimedia (WMM) access categories, 802.1p, and DSCP standards ensure proper prioritization of important applications across the CW9166 and other network devices. Features like Unscheduled Automatic Power Save Delivery (U-APSD) and Target Wait Time in 802.11ax clients minimize battery drain on wireless VoIP phones.

Self-configuring, self-maintaining, always up-to-date
Upon connection, the CW9166 automatically links to the Meraki cloud, downloads its configuration, and joins the appropriate network. Administrators can schedule automatic firmware upgrades via the Dashboard network, ensuring the network stays updated with bug fixes, security updates, and new features.

Meraki Health
The CW9166 supports advanced analytics for AI/ML anomaly detection, server root cause analysis, wireless client scoring based on performance and connectivity metrics, and network benchmarking for similar-sized networks and verticals. It also offers advanced location analytics via API and Dashboard graphs, providing a clear picture of client density and movement across the floor plan.

Choice of Mode
Cisco Catalyst 9166 Series Access Points can be managed either on-premises with Catalyst 9800 Wireless LAN Controllers (WLC) or cloud-managed through the Meraki dashboard. Customers can deploy these access points in one mode and switch to the other mode in the future.