Cisco Cisco 526 Wireless Express Mobility Controller

The Cisco 526 Wireless Express Mobility Controller and the Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point 
are components of the Cisco Smart Business Communications System. The 526 controller is a network 
appliance designed to optimize the wireless network of small and medium-sized businesses. Each 
controller can be used with up to six controller-based 521 access points, and up to two controllers are 
supported per network. The 526 controller provides: 

A cost-effective solution for small and medium-sized business environments 

Standards-based enterprise-class security 

Simplified network deployment and management with automated radio resource features

Centralized management with the Cisco Configuration Assistant (CCA)

Advanced mobility services readiness to support secure Internet guest access and optimized voice 
over Wi-Fi

The 521 access point is a single-band 802.11g access point that features business-class management, 
security, and scalability. It offers high performance wireless connectivity in carpeted offices and similar 
environments. The 521 access point is available in two configurations:

Controller-based mode—These 521 access points associate with a 526 controller to provide 
wireless connectivity. Controller-based 521 access points are also known as lightweight access 
points because configuration and management are performed through a single interface.

Standalone mode—These 521 access points are directly connected to the wired infrastructure and 
provide high-speed wireless connectivity to users in the areas they cover. Standalone 521 access 
points are also known as autonomous access points because configuration and management are 
performed locally at the individual access point level.

This document applies to the 521 lightweight access points. Refer to the Release Notes for Cisco 
521 Wireless Express Autonomous Access Point for Cisco IOS Release 12.4(3g)JX for 
information on the 521 autonomous access points.

The 526 controller and 521 access point work in concert with the Cisco Configuration Assistant (CCA) 
to provide you with the visibility and centralized control you need to optimize network performance. The 
CCA is graphical user interface (GUI)-based software that you install on a Windows-based PC. It allows 
you to configure and manage all the components of the Cisco Smart Business Communications System.

Controller software release 4.1.154.23 is factory installed on your 526 controller and automatically 
downloaded to 521 lightweight access points whenever they join the controller. Currently this is the only 
software release available for these devices.

The 521 autonomous access points are factory installed with Cisco IOS Release 12.4(3g)JX. Refer to the 
Release Notes for Cisco 521 Wireless Express Autonomous Access Point for Cisco IOS Release 
12.4(3g)JX for more information on these autonomous access points.