The Cisco Wireless Control System (Cisco WCS) is a Cisco Wireless LAN Solution network management software tool used to plan, design, and control a multi-controller environment. Like the controller's interface the Wireless Control System uses the capabilities of a Web user interface and the Command Line Interface. The Cisco WCS runs on Windows 2000, Windows 2003, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux servers.
The Cisco WCS includes the same configuration, performance monitoring, security, fault management, and accounting options used at the controller level, and in addition adds a graphical view of multiple controllers and managed access points. The display varies from dynamic statistics, charts, graphs, as well as overlaying the visual information over user added maps customized to the site monitored. This would be the kind of software seen in a Network Operating Center or NOC due to its centralized management capabilities.[1]
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Cisco WCS Versions
The Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) is offered in two versions which support different feature levels:
Cisco WCS Base
This version includes wireless client data access, rogue access point containment functions, Cisco WLAN Solution monitoring and control, and which allows client and rogue access point location to the nearest access point.
Cisco WCS Location
This version includes all the features present in the Cisco WCS Base, plus integration with a Cisco Location Device, and high-accuracy rogue access point and client location to within 10 meters. This rudimentary location tracking is available on WCS using overlay maps that are uploaded by the administrator.
However, in order to track hundreds of users and in real-time then the administrator will need to purchase a Cisco Location Device used specifically to perform this function. This device is also required for accurate tracking of RFID cards.
Price
Cisco WCS is expensive and is therefore only used where absolutely needed, such as in enterprise wireless networks. As of late 2009 the price for WCS with a 50 access-point license is around $3,000 which just so happens to run the same price as an individual Cisco Wireless LAN Controller.
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