Cisco Aironet 2802i vs Catalyst 9120AX
The Catalyst 9120AX is the Wi-Fi 6 replacement for the 802.11ac Wave 2 Aironet 2802i, adding OFDMA, a 2.5G multigigabit uplink, a dedicated IoT radio, and WPA3 under Catalyst Center management. For mid-to-high-density refreshes, the 9120AX is the current-generation 2800-class successor.
Cisco Aironet 2802i
802.11ac Wave 2 access point with 4x4 MU-MIMO and Flexible Radio Assignment.
- 802.11ac Wave 2, 4x4:3 MIMO with MU-MIMO
- Up to 5.2 Gbps aggregate data rate
- Flexible Radio Assignment (dual 5 GHz capable)
- Dual GbE uplinks, 802.3at PoE
Cisco Catalyst 9120AX
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) access point with mGig uplink, dedicated IoT radio, and Flexible Radio Assignment.
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), 4x4:4 MIMO with uplink and downlink MU-MIMO
- Up to 5.38 Gbps aggregate with OFDMA
- 2.5 Gbps multigigabit uplink
- Dedicated IoT/RF ASIC radio, WPA3, Catalyst Center management
Cisco Aironet 2802i vs Cisco Catalyst 9120AX: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco Aironet 2802i | Cisco Catalyst 9120AX |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi standard | 802.11ac Wave 2 | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| MIMO / spatial streams | 4x4:3 (3 SS) | 4x4:4 (4 SS) |
| Max 5 GHz data rate | Up to 2.6 Gbps (FRA) | Up to 4.8 Gbps |
| Aggregate data rate | Up to 5.2 Gbps | Up to 5.38 Gbps |
| MU-MIMO | Downlink only | Uplink and downlink |
| OFDMA | No | Yes |
| Uplink | Dual 1 GbE | 2.5 Gbps mGig (Multigigabit) |
| Flexible Radio Assignment | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated IoT radio | No (BLE only) | Yes (IoT radio + BLE) |
| Security | WPA2 | WPA3 / Enhanced Open |
| Management | AireOS / Mobility Express | IOS XE, Catalyst Center / DNA Center |
Choose Cisco Aironet 2802i if
Keep the 2802i where it is already deployed and supported and the site has no Wi-Fi 6 clients, IoT radio need, or multigigabit uplink requirement yet.
Choose Cisco Catalyst 9120AX if
Choose the 9120AX for any refresh or new build: it adds Wi-Fi 6 OFDMA, a 2.5G mGig uplink, a dedicated IoT radio, and WPA3, all managed by Catalyst Center.
Verdict
Upgrade from the 2802i to the Catalyst 9120AX. Both are FRA-capable 4x4 access points, but the 9120AX adds Wi-Fi 6, OFDMA, a multigigabit uplink, a dedicated IoT radio, and WPA3. It is the supported, TAA-compliant, GPC-payable replacement for the 2802i in mid-to-high-density environments.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Catalyst 9120AX a replacement for the Aironet 2802i?
Yes. The 9120AX is Cisco's current mid-to-high-density access point and the Wi-Fi 6 successor to the 2800-series Wave 2 2802i, with the same FRA capability plus newer features.
What does the 9120AX add over the 2802i?
Wi-Fi 6 with OFDMA, a 4th spatial stream, a 2.5G multigigabit uplink, a dedicated IoT radio with environmental sensing, and WPA3 security managed through Catalyst Center.
Does the 9120AX have a dedicated IoT radio?
Yes. The 9120AX includes a dedicated IoT/BLE radio and RF ASIC for analytics and environmental awareness, which the 2802i does not provide.
Is the 2802i still worth keeping?
Only short-term where it is already deployed and supported. For refreshes, the 9120AX gives Wi-Fi 6, multigigabit uplink, and a longer support runway.
More Aironet comparisons
Specs are for planning and may change; Uniqcli confirms the current Cisco bill of materials and pricing on your quote. Cisco, Catalyst, Nexus, Meraki, and Firepower are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.; Uniqcli LLC is an independent authorized Cisco partner.