Wifi Branch Router | CAPWAP or EWLC Mode

[hirathi]

Does Wifi Branch Router run in CAPWAP Mode (with a controller on cloud) or in EWLC mode (where the router itself act as an embedded controller) or in both the modes? Do Access points also run in similar modes?

Also, where can I find the performance of these routers when Wifi is Enabled?

[DarrenOC]

Hi @hirathi , you may want to post your query in the main Cisco Enterprise community forum.  This is for Meraki products and solutions.

[DarrenOC]

https://community.cisco.com

[hirathi]

This is with respect to Meraki Branch routers only like MX64W etc. Do they have different modes like EWLC or CAPWAP? And also if access points like 9162 pertaining to meraki have such modes as well.

[KarstenI]

The Meraki APs work entirely differently than the "normal" Cisco WLAN.

They are comparable to FlexConect with local switching and local authentication by default. But without a CAPWAP tunnel, neither for Control nor for Data. 

[hirathi]

And what about Meraki Branch Wifi Routers ? Do they also behave similarly without CAPWAP Mode? And do they run in standalone mode only ?

[ww]

The cloud/dashboard is the meraki brain /config. But you can use several setups, read this doc regarding the mr AP wifi

https://documentation.meraki.com/MR/Client_Addressing_and_Bridging/SSID_Modes_for_Client_IP_Assignme...

[PhilipDAth]

The MXs with integrated WiFi run as stand-alone access points, with their configuration orchestrated from the cloud.

[TBHPTL]

I wouldn't  advise the use of the integrated wireless on an MX in any situation. It is very limited.

However you could tunnel the APs back to a centrally located MX if you wanted to, either on prem or off prem, but then again, why would you want to?

[hirathi]

If we do have Access Points, why do we even need Integrated Wifi Router? In that case what is the possible use cases which will help me decide purchasing a Wifi Router over an Access Point? 

[KarstenI]

My *only* use case is a small branch office where only one AP is definitely is enough and a restricted budget. This means I alsways try to drive the decision to an MX without Wi-Fi and a separate AP.