Tag: unboxing

Unboxing Cisco Wireless CW9172H wall plate Wi-Fi 7 access point

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.

Desktop cradle accessory is another option if you prefer to place the AP on a desk.

The port lock prevents users from connecting or disconnecting cables to the ports on the bottom side of the AP.

As per usual, refer to the Cisco installation guide and data sheet for official guidance.

Unboxing Cisco Wireless CW9176I Wi-Fi 7 access point

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.