Introduction to Cisco's Aironet Family of Wireless APs
Cisco Aironet Wireless APs ConsultantsCisco's popular Aironet line of wireless access points has developed in step with wireless technology and has steadily delivered enhancements in performance, capacity, coverage, data protection, manageability and dependability. Current Aironet Wave 2 Wi-Fi APs support up to 400 clients per device and deliver data rates in excess of 5 Gbps. Deployments of Aironet access points implemented with Cisco's Prime Infrastructure architecture enable you to build multi-site wireless LANs with 18,000 access points supporting as many as 64,000 clients, all under centralized management. Progent's Cisco CCIE-certified Wi-Fi experts offer online or onsite consulting and debugging services to assist you to plan, deploy, update, optimize, monitor and debug Aironet Wi-Fi deployments of any size, in-building or outside.

Aironet Wireless APs Experts

Cisco Aironet Wireless Access Points are offered for any WLAN scenario

Progent's Cisco CCIE-certified Wi-Fi network experts offer remote or on-premises configuration and troubleshooting support to help you to design, implement, update, tune, administer and troubleshoot Aironet wireless access point deployments of any scale or architecture. Progent's Cisco Wi-Fi controller consultants can also help you to combine your wireless environment with your wired network infrastructure and cloud-hosted resources to build a seamless enterprise connectivity solution that is simple to manage and scale. Progent also can provide affordable wWireless site surveys to help you to decide the most appropriate selection, placement and configuration of Aironet wireless access points to work with your unique workplace layout, construction, and anticipated workloads.

Cisco Aironet Wave 2 Indoor Wireless Access Points
Cisco's Aironet Wave 2 Wireless access points offer substantial improvements over the initial generation of 802.11ac devices, known as Wave 1. Enhancements include up to 2.34 Gbps rather than 1.3 Gbps data rate in the 5 GHz band, multi-user MIMO for transmitting data to multiple devices at the same time, better coverage and expandability, and the ability to utilize 160-MHz-wide channels and/or an additional spatial stream to enhance throughput and support more features. For high-density Wi-Fi deployments, nearly all Aironet Wave 2 wireless APs work with Cisco Mobility Express, which allows 50 to 100 APs to be deployed rapidly without requiring a physical Cisco Wi-Fi controller. Progent can help you to assess the business advantages of replacing your Wave 1 or legacy Aironet Wi-Fi access points and can also help you to design, implement and manage a Wave 2 Aironet wireless access point network that adds maximum business value.

Aironet 1810 Wireless AP ConsultantsThe Aironet 1810W Series Wi-Fi APs are low-profile Wave 2 wall-plate–mountable APs designed for deployment in multi-dwelling units like hotels and cruise ships. The Cisco Aironet 1810W includes Dual 2.4 and 5 GHz transceivers and a Bluetooth radio, features 2x2 multi-user MIMO with two spatial streams, and delivers an aggregate transfer rate of 867-Mbps and a max user count of 400. Cisco's Aironet 1810W comes with three local GB Ethernet connections including one with Power over Ethernet Out for supporting a device like a VoIP phone, printer or security camera. The Cisco Aironet 1818 adds a 10/100/1000BASE-T PoE uplink port and a pass-through RJ-45 port. The Cisco Aironet 1810 OfficeExtend Series access point is a Wave 2 802.11ac device that features a mounting cradle and is designed to deliver safe Wi-Fi access for remote workers and small office employees. Cisco's Aironet 1810W Series OfficeExtend AP needs to be connected to a remote Wi-Fi network controller, which allows easy centralization of policies and eliminates the hassle of managing home or remote-office firewalls. Cisco's Aironet 1810 OfficeExtend Series features the same throughput and I/O ports as the Aironet 1810W Wi-Fi AP.

Aironet 1815 Wi-Fi Access Point ConsultantsThe Cisco Aironet 1815 Series Wi-Fi APs are value-priced, compact Wave 2 devices designed for small and mid-size companies. The series is made up of four models which address distinct applications. The Cisco 1815i Wi-Fi AP offers flexible alternatives for wall or ceiling mount. Cisco's 1815w Wi-Fi access point is a desktop device. The 1815t Wi-Fi access point features three Gigabit Ethernet ports for use by telecommuters or users in a small branch office; and the 1815m wireless AP offers stronger transmission power for better signal coverage. All products in the Cisco 1815 Wireless AP family include dual radios (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and 2x2 MU-MIMO technology with two spatial streams. All except the 1815t wireless AP can be managed with Cisco Mobility Express software. Only the 1815t Wi-Fi AP works with OfficeExtend. Each 1815 Series Wi-Fi access point offers a combined data transfer rate of 1 gigabit/sec and can support up to 400 Wi-Fi users. All models except the 1815t feature a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio, and only the 1815t has a USB port and offers the option of Power over Ethernet (PoE) or AC/DC power.

The Cisco Aironet 1830 Series wireless access point is intended for small and medium-size networks and includes 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios, features 3x3 MU-MIMO technology with two spatial streams, includes a 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-4 Ethernet interface with Power over Ethernet (PoE), supports an aggregate data rate of up to 867-Mbps on the 5-Ghz radio, and can handle up to 400 users. Cisco's 1830 Series Wi-Fi access point also accepts a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio by means of a USB dongle. The BLE radio can be used for navigation, proximity marketing, and inventory.

The Aironet 1850i Wi-Fi AP is intended for small and mid-sized companies and features 4x4 MU-MIMO technology with up to four spatial streams (when in single-user MIMO mode, three spatial streams in multiuser mode), includes a GE Power over Ethernet port, a Gigabit Ethernet port for link aggregation, and an RJ-45 management console connection. The Cisco Aironet 1850i Wi-Fi AP supports a maximum aggregate dual-radio data transfer rate of 2.0 gigabits/sec and a maximum client count of 400. A BLE radio can be added to the 1850i Series wireless access point by using a USB dongle.

The Aironet 2800 Series wireless AP is intended for large enterprises and can maximize performance by dynamically designating its dual radios as one 2.4 and one 5 GHz radio or as two 5 GHz radios, which can support combined throughput up to 5 Gbps. Cisco's Aironet 2800 wireless AP features 4x4 MU-MIMO technology with up to three spatial streams and can serve as many as 400 clients. A second antenna interface accommodates difficult environments such as high-ceiling auditoriums, libraries and eating areas. The Cisco 2800 Wi-Fi access point features two Gigabit Ethernet interfaces and an RJ-45 management console interface. A BLE radio can be added by using a USB dongle.

Cisco's Aironet 3800 Wave 2 wireless access points are intended for high-density environments like large offices or warehouses. The Aironet 3800 offers three antenna options. The Aironet 3800i has internal antennas, the 3800e has external antennas, and the 3800p has high-power external antennas to handle high-density indoor scenarios such as sports arenas and convention areas. All 3800 series wireless access points support 4x4 MU-MIMO with three spatial streams, and their two radios can be run in 2.4-GHz/5-GHz mode or in Dual 5-GHz 802.11ac mode. Aggregate throughput can be as high as 5.2 gigabits/sec in Dual 5-GHz 802.11ac mode. Cisco's Aironet 3800 Wi-Fi AP can serve as many as 400 clients and has two 100/1000/2500/5000 Multigigabit Ethernet ports, one 100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 auxiliary port, and an RJ-45 management console interface.

Cisco Aironet 4800 Access Point ConsultingCisco's Aironet 4800 Wi-Fi access point, designed for large organizations in need of high throughput and hardened security, is the top of the line of Cisco's Aironet family, incorporating dual 2.4/5 GHz or dual 5 GHz radios and 4x4 multi-user MIMO radio designs with three spatial streams. The 4800 Wi-Fi access point can handle as many as 400 users. The device includes two Multigigabit ports, an RJ-45 management console port, and a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio. By having a fourth radio, The 4800 Wi-Fi access point can assign core Aironet functions to more radios so they can execute simultaneously. These key functions include built-in Flexible Radio Assignment, Hyperlocation, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Cisco's 4800 Wi-Fi AP's fourth internal radio adds enhanced security and in-depth analytics for performance and location. Using four radios also enables the two Wi-Fi radios with Flexible Radio Assignment to run in 5 GHz client serving mode, supporting 5.2 Gbps (2 x 2.6 Gbps) wireless data rates and expanding client capacity.

Aironet Wave 1 Indoor Wi-Fi Access Points
Cisco Aironet Wireless APs ExpertsCisco Aironet 2700 Wireless AP ExpertsThe 802.11ac specification works exclusively in the 5-GHz band, utilizes 80-MHz channels for higher throughput, and enables wireless radios to utilize spectrum more efficiently, transmit data faster, and surrender spectrum more quickly than earlier standards. This improves speed, mitigation, expandability, and hand-offs for high-density wireless deployments. Although the 802.11ac standard was accepted at the start of 2014, Cisco developed crossover Aironet 802.11ac APs before then. These transitional products deliver many of the major benefits of 802.11ac technology and Cisco refers to them as Wave 1 access points. Cisco's Wave 1 dual-band Aironet access points incorporate 2.4 GHz radios to communicate with legacy client devices.

Cisco's entry-level Aironet 1700 Series is an economical Wi-Fi access point based on 802.11ac Wave 1 technology, offers 3x3 multiple input-multiple output with two spatial streams, delivers a maximum connection speed of 867 Mbps, and can handle 200 client devices. The Aironet 2700 Series is a wall-mountable Wi-Fi AP intended for midsize or large organizations and is offered with four internal or external antennas. The 2700 Series Wi-Fi access point offers a 3x4 MIMO radio design with three spatial streams, delivers a top connection rate of 1.3 Gbps, and supports 200 802.11ac client devices and up to 128 802.11n clients. Cisco's Aironet 3700 Series Wi-Fi APs are wall-mountable devices available with an internal antenna, an external antenna, or in a special Aironet 3700p model with a narrow-beam-width, high-gain antenna. The Cisco 3700 Series Wi-Fi access point has a 4x4 MIMO radio design with three spatial streams and supports a top connection rate of 1.3 Gbps. The modular construction of the 3700 Series wireless access point accepts Cisco's Wireless Security module and Cisco's 3G Small Cells module.

Cisco Aironet 802.11n Indoor wireless AP
The 802.11n standard made it realistic for people to rely on Wi-Fi as their day-to-day network connection, delivering 390 Mbps throughput and single-user MIMO (multiple input multiple output) in the 2.4/5 GHz bands. Cisco offers a catalog of Wi-Fi access points powered by this widely used Wi-Fi standard. Progent offers remote and onsite consulting and troubleshooting support for Cisco's current 802.11n wireless APs and for legacy Aironet devices, and Progent's consultants can assist you to assess the value to your business of moving from your vintage AP environment to Cisco's modern line of 802.11ac Wi-Fi APs.

The Cisco Aironet 700W Series wireless AP is an 802.11n device designed for multi-dwelling sites such as hotels and can be mounted on a wall junction box. The dual-radio Aironet 700W has 2x2 MIMO and two spatial streams, supports 100 Wi-Fi clients, includes four 10/100/1000BASE-T ports (one with PoE), and offers data rates as high as 300 Mbps. The Aironet 1600 Series is an entry-level wireless AP designed for small and midsize organizations and offers 802.11n 3x3 MIMO with two spatial streams, can handle 128 wireless clients, and delivers throughput as high as 300 Mbps. The Cisco Aironet 2600 Series wireless access point is designed for high-density sites and includes 802.11n 3x4 MIMO with three spatial streams, supports 200 Wi-Fi users, and can handle throughput as high as 450 Mbps.

Cisco Aironet Outdoor and Industrial Wireless Access Points
Aironet Wireless AP ExpertsCisco's Aironet line of wireless access points includes Wave 2, Wave 1, and 802.11a/b/g/n devices designed to be installed in outdoor sites that range municipalities to extreme industrial sites such as transportation, mining, or gas. Progent's Wi-Fi consultants can help you to select, deploy and manage Aironet outdoor and ruggedized Wi-Fi access points to meet your functional requirements and IT budget. Progent's cybersecurity consultants can also help you to specify and enforce policies for your outdoor Wi-Fi infrastructure or test the security of your Aironet Wi-Fi access points.

The Aironet 1530 Series outdoor 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi access points are Wave 1 dual-radio, carrier-grade units offered in an IP67-compliant body resistant to dust particles, humidity, shock and temperature extremes. The wireless access points have a GE connection and a GbE WAN uplink port and support data rates as high as 300 Mbps. The Cisco Aironet 1530I includes integrated antennas and has 3x3:2 MIMO (multiple input multiple output) technology with three spatial streams on the 2.4 GHz radio and 2x3 MIMO with two spatial streams on the 5GHz radio. Cisco's Aironet 1530E outdoor wireless access point supports 2x2 MIMO and two spatial streams on both radios and comes with software-configurable dual- or single-band external antennas.

Aironet 1540 Wireless Access Point ExpertsThe Aironet 1540 Series outdoor wireless AP is a Wave 2 device that supports data rates of up to 867-Mbps on the 5 GHz radio. This enables an aggregate dual-radio data rate of up to 1.1 Gbps. The 1540 Wi-Fi access point includes 2x2 MU-MIMO technology and supports two spatial streams. For small to midsize networks with a maximum of 50 Wi-Fi access points, you can use Cisco Mobility Express Solution control software for fast and simple configuration without the need for a Cisco wireless Wi-Fi controller. One of the most compact outdoor wireless access points with built-in antennas, the 1540 AP is offered with either a directional or a semi-omni directional antenna, providing flexibility in choosing antenna patterns appropriate for handling different usage scenarios.

Cisco's Aironet 1552S outdoor/industrial Wi-Fi AP is engineered for hazardous environments like chemical plants and has an integrated ISA100-compliant backbone router to communicate with wireless sensor networks, providing an complete solution for wireless user support and access to sensors. The Aironet 1552WU is packaged in a Div 2/Zone 2 hazardous location-compliant enclosure, supports 2:3 MIMO and two spatial streams, supports data rates of up to 300 Mbps, and provides a GE connection, a 10/100/1000 BaseT interface, and a fiber Small-Form-Factor Pluggable (SP) uplink interface. Cisco's Aironet 1552WU wireless AP is engineered for hazardous environments and includes an integrated WirelessHART gateway for communicating wirelessly with industrial sensor equipment. Cisco's Aironet 1552WU Wi-Fi AP comes in a hazardous location-certified enclosure, supports 2:3 MIMO and two spatial streams, supports data rates of up to 300 Mbps, and offers GbE and 10/100/1000 BaseT uplink options.

Cisco Aironet 1562 Wireless Access Point ExpertsAironet 1562 model outdoor Wi-Fi APs are offered with three antenna choices to meet different RF scenarios. The high-performance 1562I wireless access point has internal omnidirectional antennas for general-purpose scenarios like a college campus. The 1562E includes powerful external omni antennas for sites such as outdoor warehouses or shopping malls where businesses can select the required coverage. The Aironet 1562D Wi-Fi AP features a built-in directional antenna designed for high-density venues or for locations that need wireless point-to-point bridging like parks or sports stadiums. All three 1562 models can serve up to 400 clients, offer 48 VDC and PoE power, and feature fiber Small-Form-Factor Pluggable optics and cable modem backhaul. The 1562E and 1562D units incorporate 2x2 MU-MIMO technology with 2 spatial streams and support data rates as high as 867 Mbps. The 1562I has 3x3 MU-MIMO technology with 3 spatial streams and delivers data rates of up to 1,300 Mbps.

Cisco's Aironet 1570 Series is an enterprise and carrier-class wireless access point that was at one time the fastest performing outdoor wireless AP available. The Aironet 1570 includes internal or external antennas, supports 4x4 MIMO technology with three spatial streams, supports data rates as high as 1.3 Gbps, and has Fiber/SFP, GbE, and Cable Modem uplink connections. Versions include the Aironet 1572EAC with an external antenna with AC-power, the Aironet 1572IC which includes internal antennas with cable modem, and the Aironet 1572EC which has an external antenna with cable modem.

The Aironet Industrial Wireless 3700 (IW3700) Series is the first industrial/outdoor wireless access point to provide 4x4 MIMO technology with three spatial streams plus beamforming. The Aironet Wave 1 IW3700 wireless access point has a hardened IP67-rated housing, incorporates a dual-band radio compatible with 802.11ac (5 GHz) and 802.11n (2.4 GHz) specifications, delivers over-the-air data speeds as high as 1.3 Gbps, and serves up to 200 users.

Legacy Aironet Wi-Fi Access Points Supported by Progent
The dramatic enhancements in Wi-Fi throughput and density enabled by 802.11ac technology, coupled with the increase in mobile users running high-bandwidth apps with streaming video, has rendered earlier families of wireless infrastructure devices obsolete. Even though many companies run wireless applications that are well served by existing 802.11n environments, the fact that discontinued wireless networking products like access points have reached, or are about to reach, end-of-support status can have important consequences for security, the ongoing availability of technical assistance, and the challenge of future expansion.

Progent's Cisco-certified Wi-Fi technology experts can provide advanced consulting services to help organizations of all sizes maintain and troubleshoot their legacy Aironet solution, assess the possible advantages for moving to the latest family of Aironet APs, and develop an affordable plan to migrate seamlessly to a cohesive Wi-Fi solution that delivers the speed. performance, protection, manageability and availability expected of a modern wireless ecosystem. Examples of legacy Aironet APs for which Progent can provide remote and onsite support include:

Aironet 1000/1130AG family access points are designed for offices and similar locations which have minimal environmental instability. These products have built-in antennas that offer dependable omnidirectional coverage profiles. The Cisco Aironet 1130G family product is intended for restricted locations that do not permit 802.11a/5GHz operation.

Cisco Aironet 1230AG or 1240AG family APs are intended for more challenging radio frequency environments like factories or above suspended ceilings which typically require adjustable external antennas and durable enclosures. The 1240G family device is intended for controlled domains that do not permit 5GHz transmission.

Aironet 1500 Series lightweight outdoor mesh APs provide an economical, expandable, secure outdoor wireless network solution for campus areas and for public sites that require access for portable devices.

The Cisco Aironet 600 OfficeExtend Series Wi-Fi AP is an 802.11n unit designed for telecommuters. The Aironet 600 wireless access point features a dual 2.4/5 GHz radio, uses 2x3 MIMO with two spatial streams, serves a maximum of 15 wireless users, and delivers data rates as high as 300 Mbps.

How Progent Can Assist You with Cisco Aironet Wireless APs
Progent can provide cost-effective online or on-premises help from a certified CCIE network consultant to assist your organization to plan, install, administer, tune, update or troubleshoot a Wi-Fi network that incorporates Cisco's Aironet wireless access points. Progent can assist you manage and debug legacy Aironet APs or move smoothly to Cisco's latest lineup of Wave 2 wireless APs based on 802.11ac technology. Progent's certified Cisco Wi-Fi controller experts can help you to see whether your wireless deployment calls for Cisco Wi-Fi controller hardware or can be managed with software tools like Cisco Mobility Express.

Progent's remote and on-premises wireless site surveys can help you to determine the most efficient selection and placement of Aironet Wi-Fi APs to support your user volume, provide the RF coverage you need, and deal with your most demanding workloads. Progent's network security consultants can assist you to design, implement and test a security and compliance strategy that covers network policies, remote network monitoring, and streamlined management. Progent's disaster preparedness experts and business continuity planning consultants can assist your organization to build availability and recoverability into your Cisco product implementations to maximize the uptime of your seamless wired/wireless network infrastructure.

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Contact Progent for Consulting Expertise for Aironet Wi-Fi APs
To learn more about Progent's consulting expertise for configuring, managing and debugging Cisco Aironet Wi-Fi access points, call 1-800-993-9400 or visit Contact Progent.