Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points vs. D-Link Wireless Access Points

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points
Score 8.8 out of 10
N/A
The Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points includes the 9115 and 9117, and designed to meet high demand network access.N/A
D-Link Wireless Access Points
Score 4.7 out of 10
N/A
D-Link offers wireless access points. Designed for versatile deployment, their enterprise products supports indoor, outdoor, and wall-mounted installations to meet diverse coverage and environmental needs.
$120.99
one-time fee
Pricing
Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access PointsD-Link Wireless Access Points
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
D-Link Wi-Fi 6 AX1800 Access Point (DAP-X2810)
$120.99
one-time fee
D-Link Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 Outdoor Access Point for Business (DAP-X3060OU)
$239.99
one-time fee
D-Link BE9500 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Smart Router (R95)
$249.99
one-time fee
D-Link Nuclias Cloud-Managed AX3600 Access Point - (DBA-X2830P)
$349.99
one-time fee
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access PointsD-Link Wireless Access Points
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsAvailable through D-Link's shop or through third-party resellers.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access PointsD-Link Wireless Access Points
User Ratings
Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access PointsD-Link Wireless Access Points
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
10.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
8.9
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
10.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
8.6
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
7.3
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
8.2
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access PointsD-Link Wireless Access Points
Likelihood to Recommend
Well suited in the sense that we use wireless on wheels devices a lot, having devices to monitor the patient's room to room. So this is a very useful, actually, it helps us to transmit the data through the wireless infrastructure. And I don't see, it's less because the WIFI is everywhere, it's very vital part of our life, so I can't say any shortcoming, so it's less useful
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Best in small networks & appropriate in industrial areas. AP works fine in any temperature & location (in remote locations office or remote location). Open area wireless connectivity is good with good range. Simple VLAN management and management are good. Backup and restoration is very good. Small home offices using wireless network work awesome.
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Pros
  • It is a versatile, clean, balanced and secure access point.
  • Wifi 5 802.11ac wave 2 technology.
  • Client link and cleanair are functions to mitigate and improve user connection.
  • Reliable smartnet service for warranty and technical support.
  • Perfect for offices and indoor locations.
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  • Due to multiple switches in a single network environment, communication issues are common; therefore, productivity is effected. After installing D-Link Wireless, we resolved these kind of issues in our network.
  • One windows solution make management easy via D-Link Wireless.
  • Logs and troubleshooting is now easily handled. Pictorial form help in configuration and users management.
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Cons
  • Firmware distribution between access points
  • Replace web auth certificate without reloading WLC controllers
  • The issue with expired MIC certificate - but this is not an issue with 9100
  • New AP with new hardware revision works only with the new WLC firmware
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  • Hanging issues are common in large scale networks. Even wireless controller is hanged in peak hours.
  • Issues in VLAN configuration and port configurations.
  • Cost is high in front of other brands.
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Usability
The Cisco Catalyst 9120 Access Points have been a solid deployment for me. Using their interface is a mix of new and old. They run IOS, so if you know the CLI, you can easily navigate around them. You can join them to an older controller if it supports a certain version, you can join it to a new 9800 controller--very straight forward--and you can run the embedded wireless controller on them directly. I've found this to be very useful at smaller sites. The Cisco Catalyst 9120 Access Points are not limited to feature sets like the older generations' mobility express platform.
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Performance
Cisco is providing the best in class access points. We would be focusing Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points to have the common platform. We are waiting for cloud implementation on DNA or cloud monitoring of 9800cl in Meraki dashboard. It's reliable, tagging gives a lot of flexibility. Virtualization finally works as expected.
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No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Cisco has been very good at correcting early issues with their code. Their TAC support has been fantastic when I would open a case with issues I was facing. Even though the hardware was new, they were very familiar with the interfaces and issues I was having. In the past I've been concerned about adopting a new product right away because of support issues. That was not the case here. Once I had the deployment up and running, they have had a good run of reliability.
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Alternatives Considered
Previously we used 3800 series access points within our infrastructure. These access points have been supported within the 9800 wireless controller and are currently being used still as we work to replace access points in the near future. These access points have provided excellent service but the newer access points are much better and provide additional services.
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We studied and selected D-Link due to usage in a limited area, and it is a very cost effective solution; therefore, D-Link Wireless AP and D-Link Wireless Controller [were] selected for our organization. We also [researched] Cisco, but Cisco was an expensive product and not appropriate in our required area or task; therefore, we selected D-Link.
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Scalability
These access points offer flexibility in deployment scenarios, supporting both standalone and controller-based architectures. Organisations can choose the model that best suits their current needs and scale as their requirements grow. Cisco Aironet Access Points are compatible with Cisco's Wireless LAN controllers, allowing for centralized management and monitoring of a large number of access points across the network. With the recent changes, it will even support cloud base controllers.
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No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
  • I'd say overall positive impact replacing some of our older model APs. These are much more stable. Some of the older models that we're getting rid of needed to be rebooted. Sometimes they would just stop working different bugs and things like that in their software or hardware. These, I have to say, so far they've been much more stable. They've been definitely a positive impact on our environment for wireless.
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  • Organizational needs are fulfilled [which] means return on investment.
  • Smooth connectivity increases productivity. Yes, we are satisfied in this area.
  • Management and troubleshooting are core features & very quick in production area.
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ScreenShots

Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points Screenshots

Screenshot of C9117AXI-B Catalyst 9117AX Access PointScreenshot of C9117AXI-B Catalyst 9117AX Access PointScreenshot of C9117AXI-B Catalyst 9117AX Access PointScreenshot of C9117AXI-B Catalyst 9117AX Access Point