What is a XOR Radio?
XOR Radio is a radio which can operate in two bands (either 2.4/5 GHz or 2.4/6 GHz or 5/6 GHz). These radios offer the flexibility of deploying an additional radio in a particular band as per the requirement. For example, CW 9176 has a XOR radio wherein slot 0 can operate in 2.4/5 GHz mode. This provides an additional 5 GHz radio which can help distribute the client count on slot 1 which is default 5 GHz as majority clients in customer environments are 5 GHz capable.
XOR Radio operation
Latest Cisco Wi-Fi 7 offering- CW 9177 (High Performance deployments)- This can act as a potential upgrade from C9124 (Wi-Fi 6)
- Slot 0- Dedicated 2.4 GHz radio.
- Slot 1- Dedicated 5 GHz radio. Can operate in all 5 GHz channels when slot 2 is operating in 6 GHz but can only operate in UNII-1 and UNII 2A channels when slot 2 is operating in 6 GHz.
- Slot 2- 5/6 GHz XOR radio- This radio can operate in 5/6 GHz band. While operating in 5 GHz band it can operate in UNII 2C and 3.
Cisco Wi-Fi 7 offering- CW 9176 (High Performance deployments)- This can act as a potential upgrade from C9120 (Wi-Fi 6) and 9166 (Wi-Fi 6e).
- Slot 0- 2.4/5 GHz XOR radio– This offers two 5 GHz radios or one 2.4/5 GHz radio each combination. Slot 0 when operating in 5 GHz mode can operate in UNII-1 and UNII-2 channels while slot 1 can operate in UNII-2 extended and UNII-3 channels.
- Slot 1- Dedicated 5 GHz radio. Can operate in all 5 GHz channels when slot 0 in 2.4 GHz mode but can operate only in UNII-2 and UNII-3 channels when slot 0 in 5 GHz mode
- Slot 2- Dedicated 6 GHz radio
Cisco Wi-Fi 7 offering- CW 9174 (Moderate to high density deployments)- This can act as a potential upgrade from 9120 (Wi-Fi 6) or 9164 (Wi-Fi 6e)
- Slot 0- Dedicated 2.4 GHz radio. Can operate in all available channels when slot 2 in 6 GHz mode but will be disabled when slot 2 is in 2.4 GHz mode.
- Slot 1- Dedicated 5 GHz radio.
- Slot 2- 2.4/6 GHz dual band radio. Can operate in either 2.4 GHz mode or 6 GHz mode. Slot 0 is disabled if slot 2 operates in 2.4 GHz mode.
Cisco Wi-Fi 7 offering- CW 9171 (Low density environments)- This can act as a potential upgrade from 9105 (Wi-Fi 6)
- Slot 0- Dedicated 2.4 GHz radio.
- Slot 1- 5/6 GHz dual band radio- This radio can operate in either 5 or 6 GHz mode.
Quad Radio operation
Cisco Wi-Fi 7 Offering- CW 9178 and CW 9179F (Outdoor AP) (Ultra high performance deployments) CW9178 could potentially act as an upgrade from 9130/9136 (Wi-Fi 6). CW9179 could potentially act as an upgrade from 9130 with ext antenna (Wi-Fi 6)
- Slot 0- Dedicated 2.4 GHz radio.
- Slot 1- Dedicated 5 GHz radio which operates in UNII-2 extended and UNII-3.
- Slot 2- Dedicated 5 GHz radio which operates in UNII-1 and UNII-2.
- Slot 3- Dedicated 6 GHz radio.
Dedicated 3 Slot Radio Operation
Cisco Wi-Fi 7 Offering- CW 9172 (Medium and wall plate offering) This can act as a potential upgrade from 9105/9105 Wallplate (Wi-Fi 6)
- Slot 0- Dedicated 2.4 GHz radio
- Slot 1- Dedicated 5 GHz radio
- Slot 2- Dedicated 6 GHz radio
| AP Model | Slot 0 | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 | Wi-Fi 6/6e equivalent of |
| CW 9178 | 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz | 5 GHz | 6 GHz | C9130/9136 |
| CW 9179 | 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz | 5 GHz | 6 GHz | C9130 with ext antenna |
| CW 9176 | 2.4/5 GHz | 5 GHz | 6 GHz | NA | C9120/CM9166 |
| CW 9174 | 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz | 2.4/6 GHz | NA | C9120/CM9164 |
| CW 9172/9172H | 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz | 6 GHz | NA | C9105/9105AXW |
| CW 9171 | 2.4 GHz | 5/6 GHz | NA | NA | C9105 |
| CW 9177 | 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz | 5/6 GHz | NA | C9124 |
Note: In all the above scenarios scanning radio always scans all bands irrespective of what bands the XOR radios are operating in.
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