Cisco AIR-CT-5508-K9 Wireless LAN Controller, 8x 1G SFP, 802.11a/b/g/n: This is a Cisco 5500 Series Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) appliance providing centralized 802.11 management for medium to large enterprise wireless deployments. The chassis offers eight 1Gb SFP-based distribution ports for redundant uplinks to the wired core. This is a controller-only platform, not an access point and not an integrated services router. AP capacity licenses are sold separately. This unit is refurbished, lab-tested by T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS.
Engineering Context
The 5508 controls Lightweight (LAP) access points using the CAPWAP control plane defined in RFC 5415. The eight distribution ports operate as 1Gb SFP uplinks, with port-channel LAG support for redundancy and aggregate throughput up to 8Gb/s. The platform supports Layer 2 and Layer 3 (CAPWAP) inter-controller mobility for seamless roaming across mobility groups. AP capacity is gated by purchased licenses (12, 25, 50, 100, 250, or 500 AP base SKUs); the K9 chassis supports up to 500 APs and 7,000 wireless clients at full license capacity. Hardware-accelerated WPA2 AES-CCMP encryption is provided per the AireOS feature set.
Deployment & Use Cases
Centralized WLC for medium and large enterprise campus wireless networks. High-density office, university, and healthcare 802.11n deployments. Wireless guest anchoring in DMZ topologies. Voice-grade wireless with QoS classification (CAPWAP DSCP marking) for IP telephony. Replacement and capacity upgrade for retired Cisco WiSM and 4400 series controllers.
Technical Specifications
OEM: Cisco
Part Number: AIR-CT-5508-K9
Product Family: Cisco 5500 Series Wireless LAN Controller
Form Factor: 1RU rack-mount appliance
Distribution Ports: 8 x 1Gb SFP
Management Ports: 1 x RJ-45 service port, 1 x RJ-45 console
Max Access Points: Up to 500 (license-dependent)
Max Wireless Clients: Up to 7,000
Throughput: Up to 8 Gb/s aggregate
Wireless Standards: IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
Software: AireOS (CAPWAP)
Condition: Refurbished — Tested by T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
Compatibility & Hard Constraints
Compatible with Cisco Lightweight (LAP) access points running the CAPWAP control plane. Interoperates with Cisco Aironet 1130/1140/1240/1260/1600/2600/3500/3600 802.11n series APs and earlier 802.11a/b/g APs supported by the AireOS code stream. Does NOT manage autonomous (IOS) APs; APs must be converted to Lightweight mode. Reached end-of-software-maintenance for newer 802.11ac Wave 2 and 802.11ax APs that require the Cisco 8500/9800 platforms. AP licenses are NOT included with the chassis and must be sourced separately. The K9 SKU is the strong-encryption variant; export restrictions may apply to certain regions.
Why Choose T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
Every 5508 chassis is bench-tested for boot integrity, SFP port link-up, and AireOS image health before shipment. Visit tes-itsolutions.com for global shipping and 1–3 day handling.