Product Summary
Cisco Catalyst C9800-L-F-K9 is a virtual wireless LAN controller for Catalyst 9800 Series supporting Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and legacy standards. Designed for cloud-managed deployments, it delivers policy enforcement, security, and AI-driven analytics without physical hardware.
Product Details
This software-based controller runs on Cisco UCS or third-party servers, providing centralized management for up to 200 access points. Features include application visibility, IoT integration, encrypted traffic analytics, and seamless SD-Access integration. Ideal for distributed enterprises requiring scalable, license-based WLAN control with Cisco DNA Center compatibility.
Key Features
Wi-Fi 6 Support: Full 802.11ax capabilities
Virtual Deployment: VMware ESXi/KVM hypervisor support
Scalability: Manages 6,000+ clients and 200 APs
AI Analytics: Cisco DNA Spaces for location insights
Security: WPA3, MACsec, TrustSec, and Secure Network Analytics
SD-Access Ready: Automated policy enforcement
Flexible Licensing: Subscription-based via Cisco Smart Licensing
High Availability: 1:1 redundancy support
IoT Integration: BLE/zigbee radio control
Product Parameters Table
| Parameter | Specification |
| Controller Type | Virtual Appliance (vWLC) |
| Max AP Capacity | 200 access points |
| Max Client Capacity | 6,000 devices |
| Wireless Standards | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax |
| Virtual Platforms | Cisco UCS, VMware ESXi, KVM |
| Security Protocols | WPA3, OWE, Enhanced Open |
| Management | Cisco DNA Center, CLI, WebUI |
| Licensing Model | Cisco Smart Licensing |
| High Availability | 1:1 redundancy |
Similar Models Comparison Table
| Model | Form Factor | Max APs | Key Use Case |
| C9800-L-F-K9 | Virtual | 200 | Cloud-managed SMB deployments |
| C9800-40-K9 | Physical Appliance | 6,000 | Large enterprise campus core |
| C9800-80-K9 | Physical Appliance | 12,000 | Global enterprise deployments |
| C9800-CL-K9 | Cloud-based | Unlimited | Cisco Meraki alternative |
