To enable full radio capability of some of the latest access points, 802.3bt power source is required. If you don’t or can’t have a 802.3bt capable switch, power injector might be the right choice for you.
CW-INJ-8 PoE power injector
For Cisco’s CW9179F, CW9178I, CW9172H, and other APs, the correct injector is CW-INJ-8. It takes AC power and injects 802.3bt Type 3 Class 6 (up to 60 Watts) into your twisted pair copper cable, and it is designed for up to 10 Gigabit Ethernet.
Surprisingly small box
Apart from documentation, there is just the power injector in the box. If you don’t have one in your “box of cables” already, order an IEC C13 power cable separately. It is not included.
802.3bt power injector CW-INJ-8Package contents
When is injector not the best choice?
Here is my rule of thumb. If you can, power your AP using a switch. Why? Power injectors in general introduce extra points of failure. Unlike switches, they can’t be remotely monitored or controlled.
Now, if there is no switch available, use a power injector. Site survey, assuming that AC power or battery pack with inverter is available, is another good use case. Or lab use – for when you don’t have a 802.3bt switch.
Hardware overview
There are no surprises on the top side. Note the LED on the top right.
Here is a quick look at the label.
CW-INJ-8 label
The injector has RJ-45 input, RJ-45 output, and AC power connector which accepts standard IEC C13 cable.
Ethernet portsPower connector
Status LED
Solid green LED indicates that a valid IEEE 802.3bt or 802.3at AP is detected, and the AP consuming PoE power.
Very occasional flashing green indicates that AC power is provided to the injector itself. Don’t expect it to be solid green with no AP connected.
Let’s test it
Microchip makes this pocket-sized PoE tester. Let’s see what we get at the output of this power injector. As we expected, 802.3bt Type 3 Class 6 (up to 60 Watts) it is.
The fact that you are here most likely means that you already have the AP on your desk, and you are readying for a site survey. Let’s skip all product detail this time, and go straight into the survey part.
CW9179F access point on a workbench
Choose the right site survey mode
All Cisco Wi-Fi 7 APs, including the CW9179F, support cloud-managed (think Meraki Dashboard) and controller-managed mode (think Catalyst). You can easily switch between them. This gives you access to Catalyst Site Survey mode, or Meraki Site Survey mode.
As of September 2025, the Catalyst Site Survey mode supports all software-configurable beam patterns – Boresight, Wide, Front-and-back. That’s what we are aiming for.
Download 17.18.1 Lightweight access point image from Cisco.com download section
No controller needed
Let’s do this
Power your AP by a switch, power injector or battery pack and connect it to internet. I am using Cisco’s 802.3bt power injector CW-INJ-8 here, and Internet Sharing feature on my Mac to get the AP online.
CW9179F AP powered by CW-INJ-8 injector
Create a new network on Meraki Dashboard, select the right country, and claim the AP in Dashboard using its Cloud ID (previously known as Meraki Serial Number). Make sure the AP connects to Dashboard and shows as online. The AP will set its country code and regulatory domain. Verify.
Verify country setting
Switch the AP from Meraki mode to Catalyst mode using the Migrate to WLC button on Dashboard.
Don’t switch the AP mode using Meraki Local Status Page (LSP)! The AP might not broadcast the survey SSID if you go down that route.
Remove the grey Console port cap and console into the AP using RJ-45 console cable and your favourite terminal app.
We are now in Catalyst Lightweight access point mode. Log in using username cisco, password Cisco, type enable command, and enter default enable password Cisco.
Console session authentication
Download the CW9179F lightweight access point image. Upgrade the AP to 17.18.1 release (or newer) which has all the survey features we need. The link is correct, this AP uses the exact same image as CW9178I.
Start a TFTP server on your laptop, and move the image file to your TFTP root folder.
Now, instruct the AP to download the image from TFTP server and upgrade its code to 17.18.1.
After it reboots, check its software version using show version command. Happy days we are running 17.18.1 now.
Finally, switch the AP to site survey mode using ap-type site-survey command. When asked for reboot, press y and enter.
In Site Survey mode, both the front and the back LEDs follow this pattern.
🟢 ⚫️ 🔴 ⚫️ 🟢 ⚫️ 🔴 ⚫️
Set a static IP address on the Ethernet interface. Log in and use this command:
capwap ap ip 192.168.2.20 255.255.255.0 192.168.2.1 208.67.222.222 208.67.220.220
The format is:
capwap ap ip <IP-address> <Mask> <Gateway> <Pri-DNS-server> <Sec-DNS-server>
The AP is now broadcasting site survey SSID.
Site survey SSID
Connect to it wirelessly.
Connected to site survey SSID
And access the Site Survey mode web interface running on https://10.0.23.1. Username admin, password admin. Change the password after first login and save it to your notes or print a label.
That’s where we make the beam pattern selection.
Beam selection
Adjust the SSID name, Tx Power, channel number, enable/disable features to your needs.
Battery-powered access points are typically used for site surveys. The engineer uses a professional battery pack with 802.3at/802.3bt PoE output which delivers power to the AP via Ethernet. I do love professional battery packs. Accelerator and VenVolt are your friends. I haven’t had a chance to test either one, but I’ve seen them in very capable hands of others.
Now, when you don’t have a PoE battery pack by hand and want to achieve a similar outcome, this tip might help you.
Use case and requirements
I am building a compact pocket-sized package consisting of an AP, small battery pack and I want to achieve at least 2-3 hours of battery life.
What am I going to use it for? I need to temporary install (and hide) an AP which we will then locate during my presentation using WLAN Pi Go – a mobile Wi-Fi tool which snaps magnetically to iPhone.
In the coming weeks, I am going to use the same setup for point-to-point Wi-Fi testing. So, this will help us kill two birds with one … battery pack I guess 😊
MR78 AP powered by USB-C battery pack
Solution
Cisco Meraki APs do have 12V DC input via barrel jack 5.5 mm x 2.5 mm connector. I then researched USB-C battery packs with USB Power Delivery 12V output. This part is important! Not all USB-C packs support this output voltage.
Finally, I found a USB-C PD cable which negotiates 12V with the battery pack, and outputs 12V DC to the AP’s barrel jack input.
Trust but verify
I run the APs in Site Survey mode. To enable this mode connect to this AP’s SSID in normal cloud-managed mode, and browse to the Local Status Page (LSP). It is powered by a web server running locally on the AP. Access LSP via http://10.128.128.126/ while associated to the AP. I do recommend MR32 or newer software release which has some great survey mode enhancements.
Now, it is time to test and see if we can break things. How long does the battery last for? We get 6+ hours of battery life.
Let’s appreciate that the battery pack is nearly 7x smaller in volume than the already compact access point.
Kit list
Cisco Meraki MR20, MR78, or other AP which accepts 12V barrel jack input. Newer Cisco Wireless APs do have a barrel jack connector but they require 54V input. This approach won’t work.
USB-C PD cable with 5.5 mm x 2.5 mm barrel jack connector
Anker 533 Power Bank PowerCore 30W or any other battery pack – just make sure it supports USB PD 12V output, not all do
It doesn’t stop there
Many other devices like routers, modems, home automation hubs use the same barrel jack connector and take 12V input. The main fact to keep in mind is that this Anker battery pack can output up to 12 Volts at 1.5 Amps on its USB-C port. We don’t want to overshoot these 18 Watts.
Wall plate access points provide both wired Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity. Cisco has just started shipping the latest CW9172H Wi-Fi 7 wall plate AP. Same as all other Cisco’s Wi-Fi 7 APs, it is designed for global use. The regulatory domain is no longer dictated by the SKU. The CW9172H can be managed either by Cisco Meraki Dashboard, or Catalyst 9800 controller and Catalyst Center.
CW9172H in a hotel room
It can be mounted onto an electrical wall plate. The twisted pair cable runs inside the wall and there are no visible cables.
Wall plate mounting with no visible cables
If no wall plate is available, you can mount the AP using a spacer accessory kit on the actual wall surface with cables clipped to the wall.
CW9172H in a hotel room
Back to unboxing. What is included in the box? Well, if you order multiple access points, select the 6-pack option referred to as “multi packaging”. Who wouldn’t want a six pack? 😊
The 6-pack box dimensions are about 33 x 20 x 25 cm and it contains 6 APs.
Inside are 6 smaller boxes with 1 access point each.
Each AP is wrapped in paper. No plastic bags anymore.
Mounting bracket and accessories are placed underneath the AP.
Accessories are packaged in paper bags. Let’s have a closer look.
Finally, there is the access point.
The passthrough port covered by a plastic cover. There is 1 PoE out port and 2 standard Ethernet downlinks for your devices.
On the side is a standard RJ-45 console port, also covered by a plastic cover mainly for aesthetics reasons. Let’s remove the cover, shall we?
The Ethernet passthrough port cover follows similar style.
Back side of the AP hosts the up to 2.5 Gbps Ethernet uplink and passthrough port.
Optional accessories
There are extra parts you can order depending on how you wish to use and mount the CW9172H.
The spacer kit is designed for mounting on the actual wall surface.
What if you were able to detect access point’s down tilt angle remotely? Perhaps that would have explained unusual client connectivity issues at a remote site, spot an AP which has been installed incorrectly, or bent AP mounting hardware in a warehouse damaged by a scissor lift.
CW9176D1 mounted at an angle
Problem statement
If you have ever deployed an access point with directional antenna (be it external or inbuilt), you know that orientation matters. Directional antennas focus the energy towards their main lobe. Access points or antennas deployed at incorrect angle mean that coverage is going to be very different from the desired one.
Location-based services and asset tracking accuracy very much depend on AP placement and orientation. What if the AP that was supposed to be mounted on a wall with 30 degree down tilt is actually sat flat on top of a network cabinet pointed towards the sky?
What if the down tilt angle of the AP changed literally overnight while maintenance was going on, and some heavy machinery was present inside your venue?
Solution
Selected Cisco’s Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 APs ship with built-in accelerometer. It detects and reports down tilt angle of each supported AP.
Down tilt of 0° represents an AP mounted to the ceiling surface with its LED pointed straight down towards the floor.
0° down tilt angle
AP sat flat on a desk with the LED pointed towards the ceiling reports 180°.
There is nothing you need to do on your part to enable this feature. As long as your AP is equipped with the accelerometer, you will see the down tilt angle on the Wireless > Access Points page.
Ceiling mounted CW9176I
It updates quite frequently. I would say every couple of minutes. So, if I remove the AP from its bracket and pop it on my desk, you can see that my desk desperately asks for about 2° of attention 😄
AP on a desk
As of May 2025, the angle is not available via API yet. The product manager confirmed that this was already work in progress, and he asked me to let you know.
AP managed by Catalyst 9800 controller
In Catalyst mode, accelerometer is supported since 17.15.1. By default the sensor is disabled, and no angle is visible in the web UI. We can enable it on a per access point basis.
Either from the controller web UI:
Or by this CLI command – note the “no” keyword:
ap name CW9176 no sensor environment accelerometer shutdown
To verify that accelerometer sensor is now enabled, we use this show command:
show ap sensor status
We then view the angle from the web UI:
And “Show more” provides raw detail:
As of May 2025, there isn’t a CLI command available to display the angle yet. Stay tuned.
Refresh rate of the angle in my case was 15 minutes. Hand on heart, the refresh rate isn’t important. You mount the AP and by the time you get back to your desk, the angle updates. I was just curious. Just picture me refreshing the AP 360 View page for 15 minutes. Real story 😊
Cisco’s Wi-Fi 7 access points introduced new packaging, replaced plastic bags with paper, and introduced new ordering process. This particular AP is the CW9176I-RTG SKU. The RTG stands for Ready To Go. It is build to stock which means super fast shipping, 1 AP per box packaging, and mounting brackets are included with no option to customise it. This -RTG option is perfect if you just need a single AP urgently to perform an “AP on a stick” site survey for example.
Now, if you want to minimise the cardboard volume and storage space, I highly recommend you use the CW9176I-CFG SKU. It allows you to order a 10-pack (that’s 10 APs per box) and fully customise mounting hardware or even opt out from it and use your existing brackets. The CFG part stands for configurable and it is build to your order.
Where in the SKU is the regulatory domain?
It’s gone, and it’s great! Cisco’s Wi-Fi 7 APs are designed for global use. The SKU is no longer assigned to any particular region or country. Simply order an AP. It will detect its location, and set the right country code.
Is this the cloud-managed or Catalyst controller managed model?
It is whatever you want it to be. After you plug it in, claim in in your Cisco Meraki Dashboard inventory, and it will run in Meraki mode. If you don’t claim it, it will discover your Catalyst 9800 controller, and become a Catalyst lightweight access point. Same SKU, same hardware, you choose how you manage it.
You can even switch between the two modes at any point in time with no TAC support whatsoever.
Each Wi-Fi 7 AP consumes a Unified License. This license is the same for both modes. It gives you rights to either cloud-manage the AP in Cisco Meraki Dashboard, or you can join it to Catalyst 9800 controller, and manage it by Catalyst Center.
What’s in the CW9176I-RTG box?
This is the individually packaged RTG SKU, 1 AP per box.
Note the paper wrap around the AP. No more plastic bags.
Underneath the AP are the instructions, bracket, and ceiling grid clip.
Detail of the low profile AIR-AP-BRACKET-1 mounting bracket and bolts.
Detail of the AIR-AP-T-RAIL-R ceiling grid mounting clip.
Finally, there is the AP.
All Cisco Wi-Fi 7 APs ship with a white Console port cover by default. Its purpose is to prevent installers from plugging the twisted pair cable carrying Ethernet to the Console port. The cover can be removed without any extra tools.
Note: For official Cisco guidance and information, please refer to the Cisco.com data sheet and deployment guide.
Cisco CW9163E has an in-built GPS/GNSS antenna, and there is an option to attach an external one if signal strength is too weak. We are talking GPS only in this post. For Wi-Fi to work, this AP requires either omnidirectional dipoles or directional patch antenna.
Let’s peak inside the book.
There is a single hose clamp to attach the antenna to a pole, and the GPS antenna itself with directly attached cable.
Before you ask, the cable is about 3 meters long.
It’s now time to remove the GPS antenna port cap.
Detail for the GPS antenna port.
The rubber seal helps protect it from the weather.
Now, the last thing to deal with is how to mount the antenna. You can either use the 2 holes and screws (screws were not provided). Or run the provided hose clamp through the loop inside the antenna mount, pole mount the antenna, and point it towards the sky.
And here is our final setup before the AP gets mounted.
Note: For official Cisco guidance and information, please refer to the Cisco.com data sheet and deployment guide.
Underneath the AP we find the mounting bracket, hose clamps, and other accessories.
Let’s look closely at the acessories.
Inside the little cardboard box is a cable gland and grounding pad.
6 GHz ports A and B, along with the GPS antenna connector live on the top side of the access point.
The bottom side hosts antenna ports C and D shared by 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios, reset button, Console RJ-45 port, and up to 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port.
No 6 GHz outdoors in the UK yet
Ofcom, the UK regulator, doesn’t permit 6 GHz use outdoors, at least not yet as of May 2025. The 6 GHz radio of the access point is disabled in software.
