How to manage licensing for Wi-Fi devices controlled by a wireless LAN controller

How to manage licensing for Wi-Fi devices controlled by a wireless LAN controller

Overview

When monitoring wireless environments through a wireless LAN controller (WLC) in Site24x7, licensing is applied based on a simplified model. This article explains how access points (APs) are licensed and how connected devices are handled from a licensing perspective.

How APs are licensed

  1. Site24x7 follows a 1:2 licensing ratio for WLC-managed access points.
  2. This means two APs consume one network device license.
  3. The WLC consumes one full network device license.
Example:
If you have one WLC managing 30 wireless access points:
  1. WLC: 1 license
  2. APs: 30/2 = 15 licenses
  3. Total licenses used: 16

What is and isn't counted for licensing

  1. Devices connected to the APs (such as laptops, mobile phones, and IoT endpoints) are not counted toward licensing.
  2. Only the WLC and the APs it manages are included in the license calculation.

Key points to remember

  1. You don’t need to add individual access points for licensing manually—they are automatically calculated based on WLC data.
  2. The 1:2 ratio helps optimize license usage in dense wireless environments.
  3. Licensing applies only to WLCs and their managed APs—not end-user devices.
  1. Licensing for network monitors