Cisco Wireless Services Module (WiSM) Overview

The Cisco WiSM is a WLAN controller services module for the Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series modular switches and Cisco 7600 Series routers. It is the flagship controller in the Cisco Wireless LAN Controller product line, which also includes the Cisco 2100 and 4400 Series wireless LAN controllers, Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Module for Cisco Integrated Services Routers, and the Cisco Catalyst 3750G Integrated Wireless LAN Controller. It works with Cisco Aironet Series lightweight access points, the Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS), and the Cisco Wireless Location Appliance to deliver a secure and unified wireless solution that supports mission-critical wireless data, voice, and video applications.

A single Cisco WiSM occupies one slot in a Catalyst 6500 Series Switch or a Cisco 7600 Series Router. The WiSM is supported with the Cisco Supervisor Engine 720.

Can the Cisco WiSM be managed by the Cisco WCS?

The Cisco WCS is the management component of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network. Each Cisco WiSM is represented in the Cisco WCS as one module with two controllers. After the IT administrator enters the management IP address of the first Cisco WiSM controller, the Cisco WCS automatically finds the IP address of the second Cisco WiSM controller. The IT manager can replicate the configuration of the first Cisco WiSM controller on the second Cisco WiSM controller in a single step. The Cisco WCS displays the slot number, controller number, and IP address for each Cisco WiSM controller.

Features and Benefits

The Cisco WiSM supports the following features:

• Intelligent, adaptive real-time RF management for self-configuration, self-healing, and self-optimization
• Enterprise reliability for mission-critical wireless networks and for automated recovery from failures
• Enterprise scalability for business-critical wireless services for deployments of all sizes
• Enterprise-class security with support for Wi-Fi security standards and flexible security policies that are adaptable to changing corporate security needs
• Intrusion detection, location, and containment to preserve the integrity of wireless networks and sensitive corporate information
• Mobility management that allows users to roam between access points and across bridged and routed subnets without requiring changes to the underlying infrastructure
• Simplified deployment and management with zero-configuration deployment and intuitive management interfaces that provide better visibility and control of the air space for reduced operating costs
• Best-in-class performance to support real-time applications such as voice

Number of WiSMs and Access Points Supported