350-401 Architecture Practice Question
A network architect is designing a controller-based wireless deployment for a large campus. The customer wants centralized management, policy enforcement, and the ability to deploy a single wireless LAN controller that can handle up to 6,000 access points. Which Cisco platform should the architect recommend?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any Catalyst 9800 model can scale to 6,000 access points, when only the 9800-80 supports that capacity.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Cisco Catalyst 9800-80 Wireless Controller
The Catalyst 9800-80 is purpose-built for large-scale wireless deployments, supporting up to 6,000 access points and 64,000 clients. It offers centralized management, policy enforcement, and runs on IOS-XE, aligning with modern intent-based networking. The other options either lack the required scale or are designed for smaller environments.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Cisco Mobility Express
Why it's wrong here
Mobility Express is an embedded controller solution in Cisco Aironet access points, designed for small to medium businesses with up to 100 access points. It lacks the scalability and advanced features required for a large campus with 6,000 APs. It also does not provide the centralized policy enforcement expected in an enterprise architecture.
- ✗
Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller
Why it's wrong here
The Cisco 5520 is an AireOS-based controller that supports up to 1,500 access points and 20,000 clients. While it offers centralized management, it is not part of the newer Catalyst 9800 series and cannot scale to 6,000 access points. The customer's requirement for a single controller handling 6,000 APs exceeds the 5520's capacity.
- ✓
Cisco Catalyst 9800-80 Wireless Controller
Why this is correct
The Catalyst 9800-80 is a high-end appliance in the Catalyst 9800 series, supporting up to 6,000 access points and 64,000 clients. It provides centralized management, policy enforcement, and runs IOS-XE, making it ideal for large campus deployments. It meets the exact scalability requirement of the scenario.
- ✗
Cisco Catalyst 9800-L Wireless Controller
Why it's wrong here
The Catalyst 9800-L is a compact appliance designed for small to medium deployments, supporting up to 250 access points and 5,000 clients. It cannot scale to 6,000 access points, so it fails the requirement. It runs the same IOS-XE software as larger models, but its hardware capacity is insufficient for this large campus scenario.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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