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October 2020
While Cisco EWC solution can be used with Cisco 802.11ax and 802.11ac Wave 2 APs it requires a Cisco Catalyst 9100 series AP be to run EWC and be the network Master. The
802.11ac Wave 2 APs can join as subordinates only. There is not an EWC integrated option to manage network switches, instead Cisco DNA Center has to be used for
automation and assurance. Cisco DNA is a complex and expensive solution to deploy, it also comes with licensing requirements. In fact, Cisco requires Cisco DNA subscription
license for all APs to join EWC. On the EWC side, customers may find that some important features are missing e.g. there is no support for Mesh at the time of writing.
Feature List
RUCKUS Unleashed Cisco EWC-AP
RUCKUS intelligently adapts transmissions using Cisco uses ClientLink, a proprietary type of implicit transmit
directional antenna patterns that maximize signal beamforming as well as industry standards-based Tx
BeamFlex quality, minimize interference, and benefit reliability Beamforming. These technologies require tradeoffs with spatial
and capacity. In addition, RUCKUS APs support Tx multiplexing, use additional radio chains and provide minimal
Beamforming. performance gain.
Built-in to the RUCKUS solution is an onboarding tool Built-in capabilities are limited. Cisco EWC offers native profiling
Native User Onboarding (Zero-
that auto-provisions client devices with a connection and basic onboarding using policies. For anything more
IT Activation) profile. Easy access with no admin intervention. sophisticated an external solution should be used.
Smart antenna design by RUCKUS incorporates Cisco APs lack the optimal multi-polarization antenna design
Polarization Diversity with
horizontal and vertical adaptive polarization to match that contributes to reliability as client devices rotate and
MRC client device orientation and improve predictability. increase distance from the AP.
RUCKUS Unleashed can be deployed on supported Cisco requires Catalyst 9115 or higher APs to run as EWC
AP hardware compatibility models of RUCKUS Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 APs. These can Master. Cisco 802.11ac Wave 2 APs can join as subordinates
be used as Unleashed Master APs. only.
Summary
RUCKUS Unleashed Access Points offer excellent performance and come with well balanced feature set for small and medium deployments. ICX
switch management, Guest Pass generation and onboarding with Zero-IT features are built-in. Starting from 200.9 release Wi-Fi Calling can be
enabled on Unleashed platform, it allows a set of calling profiles to be loaded onto a WLAN which create a carrier grade Wi-Fi calling experience.
Cisco EWC-AP lacks several important features that come built-in in RUCKUS Unleashed. There is no support for Mesh, no configuration for Wi-Fi
Calling, no option to manage switches directly from EWC WebUI dashboard. Cisco Catalyst Wireless mobile app comes with very limited network
management capabilities. While Cisco EWC offers configuration wizards and supports configuration flows based on polices and tags, customers may
find that whole interface is not easy to navigate and preforming some simple operational tasks may take considerable effort.
Value Proposition
RUCKUS Cisco
Comments
Unleashed EWC-AP
• RUCKUS DPSK technology uniquely encrypts over the air traffic
for every client, Dynamic PSK keys can be internally generated
Dynamic PSK (DPSK) by Unleashed AP
• Cisco EWC supports Identity PSK but it requires an
authentication server override configuration
• RUCKUS’ patented built-in Zero IT solution enables customers
to onboard devices securely and easily
Onboarding (BYOD) • Cisco EWC offers native device profiling and basic onboarding
features. External solution is required for anything more
complex
Features are not available or can be made available with an external solution