CISCO WIRELESS MAINTENANCE · TPM FOR AIRONET · CATALYST 9800 · MERAKI

Cisco Wireless Maintenance — vendor-independent service for Aironet, Catalyst 9800 and Meraki

We service Cisco enterprise WLAN hardware after Smart Net Total Care expiry — Aironet access points, Catalyst 9100/9800 series, Wireless Controllers 5520/9800 and Meraki MR/MX/MS. Vendor-independent, with OEM original parts and SLA up to 24×7×4. Also in the EOSL period. For Meraki, the cloud dashboard subscription stays untouched — we handle the hardware layer. 30 to 60 percent below OEM list price. Fixed-price quote in 48 hours.

Quote in 48 h Calculate savings

Which Cisco wireless platforms we service

Cisco Wireless covers two distinct worlds: classic enterprise WLAN hardware with Aironet and Catalyst Wireless lines plus Wireless Controllers, and cloud-managed Meraki. We service both hardware families — for Meraki strictly separated from the dashboard subscription, which contractually stays with Cisco.

Cisco Aironet · classic access points

Aironet 1600/1700 · 2600/2700 · 3500/3600/3700 · 3800/4800 · 1800 series (Mobility Express) · Outdoor 1530/1550/1570 — multiple generations EoL announced or reached

Cisco Catalyst Wireless · current Wi-Fi 6/6E AP generation

Catalyst 9105AX · 9115AX · 9117AX · 9120AX · 9124AX · 9130AX · 9136 (Wi-Fi 6E) · 9162/9164/9166 — IOS-XE-based platform, successor to the Aironet line

Wireless Controllers · aggregation and management

Catalyst 9800-CL (cloud) · 9800-L · 9800-40 · 9800-80 · older AireOS controllers like WLC 5520, 8540, 3504, 2504 — maintenance also during migration to the 9800 line

Cisco Meraki · cloud-managed

Meraki MR series (access points) · MX series (security & SD-WAN appliances) · MS series (cloud-managed switches) · MV cameras · MT sensors — hardware maintenance separate from cloud dashboard subscription

Why TPM for Cisco Wireless instead of Smart Net Total Care

Smart Net Total Care (SNTc) bundles hardware replacement, TAC access and software updates into one Cisco package. For pure hardware replacement — which is the absolute majority case in WLAN — you're forced to also pay for TAC and update components rarely used in many WLAN setups. We separate these layers: we handle hardware maintenance at 30 to 60 percent lower cost, TAC and update needs can still be covered selectively via Cisco Smart Licensing — only where genuinely needed.

For Aironet generations that Cisco has already moved into End-of-Life or End-of-Support status — Aironet 1600, 2600, 3500 and 3600 have been in this phase for years — SNTc is either no longer renewed or only at disproportionate terms. With Meraki the mechanics differ: hardware maintenance is anchored in Meraki's lifetime hardware refresh model, but once the initial license expires, refresh processes often become complex and expensive. TPM offers a predictable, cheaper alternative for pure hardware-defect coverage here.

30–60 %

Savings vs. Smart Net Total Care on operational WLAN setups

up to 70 %

Savings on EoL Aironets like 1600, 2600, 3500, 3600

48 h

Fixed-price quote after we receive your AP and controller list

4 h

Onsite response time with 24×7×4 SLA, all of Germany

Generations timeline & TPM coverage

Per hardware generation: vendor phase (slate) and TechCare coverage window (teal) up to ~5 years post-OEM EOSL.

2010

2014

2018

2022

2026

2030

2034

Today · 2026

Aironet 1600 / 2600 / 3500 / 3600
2011–2022
TPM until2027+
Recommended
Aironet 1700 / 2700 / 3700
2014–2024
TPM until2029+
Recommended
Aironet 1800 / 2800 / 3800 / 4800
2015–2026
TPM until2031+
Supported
WLC 2504 / 5508 / 8510 (AireOS Legacy)
2010–2024
TPM until2029+
Recommended
WLC 3504 / 5520 / 8540 (späte AireOS-Gen)
2016–2026
TPM until2031+
Supported
Catalyst 9800-Serie / Catalyst 9100-AP
2019–2029
TPM until2034+
Supported

EoL/EoSL status of Cisco wireless generations

Cisco uses a staggered lifecycle model: End-of-Sale, End-of-Software-Maintenance, End-of-Vulnerability-Support and finally End-of-Service-Life. For wireless hardware this means: once End-of-Service-Life is reached, no SNTc contract is available. That's exactly where we take over hardware maintenance. For generations past EoL but pre-EoSL, TPM is often already more cost-effective than SNTc renewal.

Model family	Released	OEM support ends	TPM status
Aironet 1600 / 2600 / 3500 / 3600	2011-2013	2020-2022	Recommended
Aironet 1700 / 2700 / 3700	2014-2015	2023-2024	Recommended
Aironet 1800 / 2800 / 3800 / 4800	2015-2018	2025-2026	Supported
WLC 2504 / 5508 / 8510 (AireOS Legacy)	2010-2014	2021-2024	Recommended
WLC 3504 / 5520 / 8540 (späte AireOS-Gen)	2016-2018	2025-2026	Supported
Catalyst 9800-Serie / Catalyst 9100-AP	2019-2021	ca. 2027-2029	Supported

As of 2026. EOSL data based on official vendor roadmaps and subject to change. Binding case-by-case information available on request.

What we deliver

OEM original parts for APs and controllers

Our own warehouse with Aironet, Catalyst 9100 and Wireless Controller replacement units — also for end-of-life generations like Aironet 2600 or WLC 5508. Refurbished OEM units with guaranteed functionality.

Meraki cloud subscription untouched

Meraki MR/MX/MS continue working via the Cisco Meraki dashboard. We replace hardware on failure — the cloud license and device-claim procedure continue contractually with Cisco unchanged. Devices are re-claimed in the dashboard.

Onsite engineer with WLAN experience

German-speaking technicians experienced with the Cisco Wireless stack — AP replacement incl. provisioning via existing controller templates or the Meraki dashboard. 4-hour response time guaranteed.

Flexible SLA per site or device type

Parts Only, 5×9 NBD or 24×7×4 — combinable by site criticality. A branch with few APs is often fine with NBD, while headquarters controllers run on 24×7×4. With Cisco often only available as a uniform SNTc package.

Multi-vendor contract

One contract for Cisco Wireless plus Aruba, Mist, Ruckus or other WLAN platforms. Consolidation is especially useful for fleets after Aruba/Mist migration, where both worlds often run in parallel.

EoL tracking & SNTc comparison analysis

Monthly SLA reports plus a semi-annual EoL analysis for your WLAN generation. When Cisco announces EoL, we show whether SNTc renewal or TPM switch is more economical.

Comparison

TechCare vs. Cisco Wireless Enterprise WLAN, Access Points und Controller

Concrete SLA tiers, OEM comparison, coverage details and source footnotes — on a print-friendly page.

Open Battle-Card

FAQ on Cisco wireless maintenance

Which Cisco wireless platforms do you service?

We service the complete Cisco Wireless stack: Aironet Access Points (1600 to 4800 series plus outdoor lines 1530/1550/1570), Catalyst 9100 AP series with Wi-Fi 6 and 6E (9105AX to 9166), Wireless Controllers (Catalyst 9800-CL/-L/-40/-80 plus older AireOS controllers like WLC 2504, 5508, 5520, 3504, 8540) and the complete Meraki platform (MR APs, MX security appliances, MS switches, MV cameras, MT sensors).

What does TPM cost compared to Smart Net Total Care?

In the DACH mid-market we typically see 30 to 60 percent savings vs. Smart Net Total Care for wireless hardware. For EoL Aironets like 2600 or 3600 up to 70 percent. Example: 80 Aironet 1830 APs with WLC 5520 cost 7,500 to 9,500 EUR/year on Cisco SNTc 8×5×NBD, 3,000 to 4,500 EUR with TechCare. Savings increase noticeably once the generation moves to EoL status.

Do we lose TAC access and software updates when switching to TPM?

Yes, that's the calculation dividing line. Smart Net Total Care bundles hardware replacement, TAC access and software updates. TPM only replaces the hardware portion. If you still need TAC access or software updates, you can selectively cover those via Cisco Smart Licensing or individual Cisco service contracts — typically only for the controllers, not every single AP. In sum that's significantly cheaper than a full SNTc contract.

How does maintenance work for Meraki, given the hardware is directly cloud-connected?

With Meraki, the hardware layer is clearly separated from the cloud subscription. On hardware failure we replace the device — the customer then re-claims the replacement in the Meraki dashboard, and configuration is automatically restored via dashboard. The cloud subscription, lifetime hardware refresh claims and the dashboard itself continue contractually with Cisco unchanged. We address only the hardware layer — particularly relevant for fleets whose initial license is expiring and the refresh process gets complex.

Can you service Aironet APs that Cisco has already announced End-of-Life?

Yes, this is even one of our core areas in the wireless segment. Aironet 1600, 2600, 3500 and 3600 have been in EoL/EoSL for years, Aironet 1700/2700/3700 currently reaches EoSL, Aironet 1800/2800/3800 is approaching EoL. Cisco either no longer offers SNTc renewal for these generations or only at significantly higher terms. We continue maintenance with OEM original parts, even past OEM EoSL.

What happens on a wireless controller failure — they're central, after all?

Wireless controllers are the most critical component in the Cisco Wireless stack. For controllers we generally recommend 24×7×4 SLA with guaranteed 4-hour onsite response and ideally a cold spare in stock or a redundant controller pair. For the Catalyst 9800 line and older AireOS controllers (WLC 5520, 8540, 3504) we keep OEM replacement units. On swap the controller configuration is restored from backup — typically operational within 30 minutes.

Which SLA levels do you offer for wireless hardware?

We cover all common SLA levels: Parts Only with 4-hour shipping, 5×9 Next Business Day with onsite engineer in business hours, and 24×7×4 with guaranteed 4-hour onsite response. Typical recommendation: controllers on 24×7×4, headquarters APs on 5×9 NBD, branch APs on Parts Only or 5×9 NBD with cold-spare pool. SLA can be chosen differently per site and per device type.

How fast do we get a quote?

Within 48 hours of receiving your inventory list (AP models, wireless controller types, Meraki inventory with device IDs) you get a binding fixed-price quote with a clear comparison to Smart Net Total Care. For an initial estimate, the ROI calculator on the homepage suffices — it shows immediately what order of magnitude of savings is realistic.

Service performance

Real actuals Q1 2026 — straight from our ITIL ticketing.

99,2 %

Tickets resolved within agreed response time

2,4 h

Avg. first response on 4h SLA tier

88 %

First-time fix on initial dispatch

97 %

Spare part on site within 4 h, DACH depots