NoodlesWIU

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Going through the same process myself. My issue with on-prem is the controllers. Cisco is forcing you to upgrade controllers if you want to go WiFi6, and they are more expensive now too. I love their on-prem solution, but how long until I have to refresh everything again. I'm starting to go Meraki because I won't have to worry about controllers anymore. Additionally, if I want to deploy a new access point/technology, all I have to do is replace the access point in a specific area, not the entire solution. Also Meraki includes a lot of tools that are already available to you as opposed to an on-prem where you have to have Cisco Prime and other tools.
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<p>Cisco own Meraki. For a school I'd say Meraki is probably the better option. I design and install both solutions though.</p>
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I'm going to have to agree with bleeuwen on this one. Ubiquiti products are more cost effective, just as robust, easily configurable and expandable as any Cisco/Meraki device with a lot less licensing fees. Cisco owns Meraki as previously stated above so if you purchase either name its basically Cisco.<br />
I don't usually publicly endorse but I have installed numerous of both and if cost is a factor then look into Ubiquiti and at least compare. Their roof to roof P2P antennas are also a very good alternative for a medium sized campus. Very affordable.
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Being a public school district, this year we qualified for 90% off the cost of network infrastructure upgrades under a federal program called E-rate. &nbsp;The program requires us to have bidding open for 28 days. While we had an extensive RFP and spoke with and walked through our facilities with multiple vendors, only one submitted a formal proposal. &nbsp;Therefore our only options are to choose their solution, or wait another year to bid it out again.
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<p>Then personally, I would go for meraki. It is both cisco, but the cloud gives a few advantages. You have less devices which are needed and can go down (wlc, ise). You have advantages like firewalling, blocking and scanning. But also you can replace very easily and you can almost start directly&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Also you can go to meraki switches and firewalls so you have a complete all in one solution.</p>
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I'm looking for help determining the best solution for our environment for wireless. &nbsp;We currently have an 8 year old Cisco 5508 Wireless LAN Controller, and 94 Aironet access points split between really 3 buildings. &nbsp;We are due for a refresh and have a bid in from a vendor who is recommending using Meraki WiFi6 with licensed cloud controller, and did not suggest using a locally managed WLC with Aironet APs.<br />
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We are a school district and need feedback as this is a vendor I have not dealt with before so I have trust issues. &nbsp;I like the idea of not having a physical piece of hardware on site that if fails my wireless is down, but I don't like paying costly yearly licensing fees either. &nbsp;Any insight?
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I'm looking for help determining the best solution for our environment for wireless.  We currently have an 8 year old Cisco 5508 Wireless LAN Controller, and 94 Aironet access points split between really 3 buildings.  We are due for a refresh and have a bid in from a vendor who is recommending using Meraki WiFi6 with licensed cloud controller, and did not suggest using a locally managed WLC with Aironet APs.

We are a school district and need feedback as this is a vendor I have not dealt with before so I have trust issues.  I like the idea of not having a physical piece of hardware on site that if fails my wireless is down, but I don't like paying costly yearly licensing fees either.  Any insight?

Meraki or Aironet?

Wireless networking is anything related to the transfer of data between two (or more) devices without the use of a physical connection, ranging from getting advice on a new Bluetooth headset to configuring sophisticated enterprise level networks.

Wireless Networking

Cisco PIX is a dedicated hardware firewall appliance; the Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) is a firewall and anti-malware security appliance that provides unified threat management and protection the PIX does not. Other Cisco devices and systems include routers, switches, storage networking, wireless and the software and hardware for PIX Firewall Manager (PFM), PIX Device Manager (PDM) and Adaptive Security Device Manager (ASDM).

Cisco

Networking is the process of connecting computing devices, peripherals and terminals together through a system that uses wiring, cabling or radio waves that enable their users to communicate, share information and interact over distances. Often associated are issues regarding operating systems, hardware and equipment, cloud and virtual networking, protocols, architecture, storage and management.

Networking

Hardware includes cell phones and other digital living devices, tablets, computers, servers, peripherals and components, printers and scanners, gaming consoles, networking hardware such as routers, hubs, switches and modems, storage devices and security equipment such as firewalls and other appliances.