Introduction to Cisco's Aironet Line of Wireless APs
Cisco's popular Aironet family of wireless APs has evolved in step with Wi-Fi technology and has continually offered improvements in speed, capacity, coverage, security, manageability and dependability. Current Aironet Wave 2 Wi-Fi APs can handle up to 400 clients per device and can handle data rates in excess of 5 Gbps. Networks of Aironet access points integrated with Cisco's Prime Infrastructure architecture enable you to build multi-site Wi-Fi networks with 18,000 access points supporting up to 64,000 users, all under unified management. Progent's Cisco CCIE-certified wireless networking consultants offer online or onsite consulting and debugging services to help you to plan, install, update, tune, manage and debug Aironet Wi-Fi deployments of any size, inside or outdoors.
Progent's Cisco CCIE-certified Wi-Fi infrastructure experts offer online or onsite configuration and debugging services to help you to plan, configure, update, tune, manage and debug Aironet Wi-Fi access point deployments of any size or architecture. Progent's Cisco wireless controller consultants can also help you to combine your wireless ecosystem with your wired network and cloud-based resources to build an enterprise connectivity foundation that is easy to manage and scale. Progent also can provide affordable Wi-Fi site surveys to assist you to decide the most appropriate selection, placement and configuration of Aironet Wi-Fi access points to accommodate your unique office design, building structure, and expected workloads.
Cisco Aironet Wave 2 Indoor Wireless Access Points
Cisco's Aironet Wave 2 Wi-Fi access points feature substantial improvements over the first generation of 802.11ac devices, known as Wave 1. Improvements include up to 2.34 gigabits/sec rather than 1.3 Gbps in the 5 GHz band, multi-user MIMO for transmitting data to multiple devices simultaneously, better signal coverage and expandability, and the ability to use 160-MHz-wide channels and/or a fourth spatial stream to enhance throughput and support more features. For high-density wireless environments, nearly all Aironet Wave 2 Wi-Fi access points work with Cisco Mobility Express, which permits 50 to 100 access points to be deployed quickly without the help of a Cisco wireless controller appliance. Progent can help you to evaluate the business advantages of replacing your Wave 1 or older Aironet Wi-Fi access points and can also help you to plan, deploy and manage a Wave 2 Aironet Wi-Fi access point network that adds maximum business value.
The Aironet 1810W Series wireless APs are compact Wave 2 wall-plate-mountable access points designed for use in multi-dwelling units like hotels and cruise ships. Cisco's Aironet 1810W features Dual 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz transceivers and a Bluetooth radio, features 2x2 multi-user MIMO with two spatial streams, and supports an aggregate data rate of 867-Mbps and a max client count of 400. The Aironet 1810W comes with three local Gigabit Ethernet connections including one with Power over Ethernet Out for supporting a device such as a VoIP handset, printer or surveillance camera. The Cisco Aironet 1818 also includes a 10/100/1000BASE-T PoE uplink port and a pass-through RJ-45 port. Cisco's Aironet 1810 OfficeExtend Series AP is a Wave 2 802.11ac device that features a mounting cradle and is engineered to deliver secure Wi-Fi access for remote workers and small office employees. The Aironet 1810W Series OfficeExtend Access Point must be connected to a remote Wi-Fi network controller, which allows easy centralization of policies and avoids the hassle of setting up home-based or branch-office firewalls. The Cisco Aironet 1810 OfficeExtend Series features the same performance and connections as the Aironet 1810W Wireless access point.
Cisco's Aironet 1815 Series Wi-Fi access points are value-priced, low-profile Wave 2 appliances intended for small and medium-size businesses. The 1815 series is made up of four versions which address distinct applications. The Cisco 1815i Wi-Fi access point has versatile alternatives for wall or ceiling mount. The 1815w Wi-Fi access point is a desktop device. The 1815t Wi-Fi AP features three GE 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 Wi-Fi Access Point family feature two radios (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and 2x2 MU-MIMO with two spatial streams. All but the 1815t wireless access point can be administered with Cisco Mobility Express software. Only the 1815t Wi-Fi access point works with OfficeExtend. Each 1815 wireless access point delivers an aggregate data rate of 1 Gbps and can support a maximum of 400 Wi-Fi users. All models except the 1815t feature a Bluetooth Low Energy radio, and only the 1815t has a USB port and has the option of Power over Ethernet (PoE) or AC/DC power.
The Cisco Aironet 1830 Series Wi-Fi AP is intended for small and medium-size wireless networks and includes 2.4/5 GHz radios, features 3x3 multi-user MIMO supporting two spatial streams, includes a 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-4 Ethernet port with PoE, delivers an aggregate data rate of 867-Mbps on the 5-Ghz radio, and can handle a maximum of 400 users. The 1830 Series Wi-Fi access point also accepts a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio via a USB dongle. The BLE radio can be used for applications like navigation, proximity marketing, and inventory.
The Cisco Aironet 1850i wireless AP is intended for small and medium-sized businesses and features 4x4 multi-user MIMO supporting up to four spatial streams (when in single-user MIMO mode, three in MU-MIMO), incorporates a Gigabit Ethernet PoE interface, a GE port for link aggregation, and an RJ-45 management console port. Cisco's Aironet 1850i Wi-Fi access point supports a total aggregate dual-radio data rate of 2.0 gigabits/sec and a maximum client count of 400. A BLE radio can be attached to the 1850i Series wireless access point by means of a USB dongle.
The Aironet 2800 Series Wi-Fi AP is intended for large enterprises and can maximize throughput by dynamically designating its dual radios as one 2.4 and one 5 GHz radio or as dual 5 GHz radios, delivering combined data rates up to 5 Gbps. The Cisco Aironet 2800 Wi-Fi access point features 4x4 MU-MIMO supporting up to three spatial streams and can serve up to 400 users. A second antenna interface accommodates challenging environments like high-ceiling auditoriums, libraries and cafeterias. Cisco's 2800 wireless access point includes two GE ports and an RJ-45 management console port. A Bluetooth radio can be added by means of a USB dongle.
The Cisco Aironet 3800 Wave 2 Wi-Fi APs are designed 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 ones, and the 3800p has high-power external antennas to handle high-density indoor scenarios such as arenas and convention areas. All 3800 series wireless access points support 4x4 MU-MIMO supporting 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. Total performance can be up to 5.2 Gbps in Dual 5-GHz mode. The Cisco Aironet 3800 Wi-Fi access point can handle up to 400 Wi-Fi clients and has two 100/1000/2500/5000 Multigigabit Ethernet interfaces, one 100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 auxiliary port, and an RJ-45 management console interface.
The Aironet 4800 wireless access point, intended for large enterprises requiring high performance and hardened security, is the top of the line of Cisco's Aironet family, incorporating dual 2.4 and 5 GHz or dual 5 GHz radios and 4x4 MU-MIMO technology with three spatial streams. The Cisco 4800 wireless access point can handle up to 400 clients. The device comes with two Multigigabit Ethernet ports, one RJ-45 management console interface, and a BLE radio. By including a fourth radio, The Cisco 4800 Wi-Fi access point can assign core Aironet functions across more radios so they can execute concurrently. These key functions include built-in Flexible Radio Assignment, Hyperlocation, and Bluetooth Low Energy. The Cisco 4800 wireless AP's fourth radio adds enhanced security and in-depth analytics for throughput and location. Having four radios also allows the two Wi-Fi radios outfitted with Flexible Radio Assignment to run in 5 GHz client serving mode, supporting 5.2 Gbps (2 x 2.6 Gbps) Wi-Fi data rates and expanding user capacity.
Aironet Wave 1 802.11ac Indoor Wi-Fi Access Points
The 802.11ac standard operates in the 5-GHz band, uses 80-MHz channels for higher throughput, and enables wireless radios to utilize spectrum more efficiently, send data faster, and relinquish spectrum more rapidly than earlier standards. This improves performance, recovery, expandability, and roaming for high-density Wi-Fi networks. Even though the 802.11ac standard was accepted at the start of 2014, Cisco designed transitional Aironet 802.11ac APs prior to that. These crossover devices deliver many of the major benefits of the 802.11ac standard and Cisco has branded them Wave 1 access points. Cisco's Wave 1 dual-band Aironet access points incorporate 2.4 GHz radios to communicate with earlier generation Wi-Fi clients.
Cisco's entry-level Aironet 1700 Series is an economical Wi-Fi access point that supports 802.11ac Wave 1 technology, features 3x3 multiple input-multiple output with two spatial streams, supports a rate of 867 Mbps, and can handle 200 client devices. Cisco's Aironet 2700 Series is a wall-mountable Wi-Fi AP designed for midsize or large enterprises and is offered with four internal or external antennas. The 2700 Series wireless AP offers a 3x4 MIMO radio with three spatial streams, has a top connection speed of 1.3 Gbps, and supports 200 802.11ac clients and up to 128 802.11n users. The Cisco Aironet 3700 Series Wi-Fi APs are wall-mountable devices available with an internal antenna, an external antenna, or in a special Aironet 3700p version with a narrow-beam-width, high-gain antenna. The 3700 Series wireless access point features a 4x4 MIMO design with three spatial streams and delivers a maximum connection speed of 1.3 Gbps. The modular construction of the 3700 Series Wi-Fi AP supports Cisco's Wireless Security module and Cisco's 3G Small Cells module.
Cisco Aironet 802.11n Indoor wireless Access Point
The 802.11n standard made it realistic for people to rely on Wi-Fi as their day-to-day network connection, nominally supporting 390 Mbps throughput and single-user MIMO (multiple input multiple output) in the 2.4/5 GHz bands. Cisco offers an extensive portfolio of wireless APs powered by this popular wireless technology. Progent offers online and on-premises consulting and debugging support for Cisco's current 802.11n Wi-Fi access points and for discontinued Aironet devices, and Progent can assist you to determine the value to your company of moving from your outdated AP infrastructure to Cisco's new generation of 802.11ac Wi-Fi access points.
Cisco's Aironet 700W Series wireless access point is an 802.11n device intended for multi-dwelling sites like hotels and can be installed on a wall junction box. The dual-radio Aironet 700W has 2x2 MIMO and two spatial streams, can handle 100 Wi-Fi clients, includes four 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet ports (one with Power over Ethernet), and delivers data rates of up to 300 Mbps. The Cisco Aironet 1600 Series is an entry-level wireless AP intended for small and midsize organizations and offers 802.11n-based 3x3 MIMO with two spatial streams, can handle 128 Wi-Fi clients, and delivers performance as high as 300 Mbps. The Cisco Aironet 2600 Series wireless AP is designed for high-density sites and features 802.11n-based 3x4 MIMO with three spatial streams, serves 200 Wi-Fi users, and can handle throughput up to 450 Mbps.
Aironet Outdoor and Industrial Wireless APs
The Cisco Aironet line of wireless access points includes Wave 2, Wave 1, and 802.11a/b/g/n APs intended to be deployed in outdoor environments that can range from municipalities to harsh industrial sites like rail, mining, or gas. Progent can assist your organization to select, configure and administer Cisco Aironet outdoor and industrial wireless APs to fit your functional needs and budget. Progent's cybersecurity consultants can also help you to specify and implement policies for your outdoor Wi-Fi infrastructure or audit 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 enclosure to withstand dust particles, humidity, shock and temperature extremes. The wireless access points have a Gigabit Ethernet LAN port and a Gigabit Ethernet uplink port and support data rates as high as 300 Mbps. The Cisco Aironet 1530I includes integrated antennas and supports 3x3:2 MIMO technology with three spatial streams on the 2.4 GHz radio and 2x3 MIMO with two spatial streams on the 5GHz radio. The Cisco Aironet 1530E outdoor wireless access point offers 2x2 MIMO and two spatial streams on each radio and comes with software-configurable dual- or single-band external antennas.
The Aironet 1540 Series outdoor wireless AP is a Wave 2 unit that provides data rates of up to 867-Mbps on the 5 GHz radio. This allows a total dual-radio data rate of 1.1 Gbps. The 1540 Wi-Fi AP features 2x2 MU-MIMO technology and allows two spatial streams. For small to midsize networks with a maximum of 50 wireless APs, you can run Cisco Mobility Express Solution for fast and simple configuration without the need for a Cisco wireless Wi-Fi controller appliance. One of Cisco's smallest outdoor Wi-Fi access points with internal antennas, the 1540 is available with either a directional or a semi-omni directional antenna, giving you versatility in choosing antenna patterns to match various RF conditions.
Cisco's Aironet 1552S outdoor/industrial wireless access point is engineered for dangerous sites such as refineries and has a built-in ISA100-compliant backbone router to communicate with wireless sensor networks, offering an complete solution for wireless user support and access to sensor devices. The Cisco Aironet 1552WU is packaged in a Class 1 hazardous location-certified body, supports 2:3 MIMO and two spatial streams, supports performance of up to 300 Mbps, and includes a GbE port, a 10/100/1000 BaseT interface, and a fiber SP uplink connection. The Cisco Aironet 1552WU wireless access point is engineered for hazardous environments and has an integrated WirelessHART gateway for connecting wirelessly with industrial sensor equipment. The Cisco Aironet 1552WU Wi-Fi AP is packaged in a hazardous location-compliant enclosure, supports 2:3 MIMO and two spatial streams, delivers data rates as high as 300 Mbps, and provides GbE and 10/100/1000 BaseT uplink choices.
Cisco Aironet 1562 model outdoor wireless APs are offered with three antenna choices to meet different usage scenarios. The high-performance 1562I wireless access point has integrated omnidirectional antennas for conventional venues like a college campus. The 1562E has high-power external omni antennas for sites such as outdoor warehouses or malls where customers can select the required signal coverage. The Aironet 1562D Wi-Fi AP features an internal directional antenna suitable for high-density venues or for locations that need wireless bridging such as parks or sports stadiums. All three 1562 versions can handle a maximum of 400 Wi-Fi clients, offer 48 VDC and Power-over-Ethernet power, and feature fiber SP optics and cable modem backhaul. The 1562E and 1562D models incorporate 2x2 MU-MIMO with 2 spatial streams and support performance as high as 867 Mbps. The 1562I has 3x3 MU-MIMO technology with 3 spatial streams and supports performance as high as 1,300 Mbps.
Cisco's Aironet 1570 Series is an enterprise-class Wi-Fi AP that was at one time the fastest outdoor wireless access point on the market. The 1570 includes internal or external antennas, supports 4x4 MIMO with three spatial streams, supports data rates of up to 1.3 Gbps, and has Fiber/SFP, GbE, and Cable Modem uplink interfaces. Versions include the Aironet 1572EAC with an external antenna with AC-power, the Aironet 1572IC with internal antennas with cable modem, and the Aironet 1572EC which includes an external antenna with cable modem.
Cisco's Aironet Industrial Wireless 3700 (IW3700) Series is the first industrial/outdoor wireless access point to offer 4x4 MIMO technology with three spatial streams plus beamforming. The Wave 1 IW3700 Wi-Fi AP has a hardened IP67-rated enclosure, incorporates a dual-band radio compatible with 802.11ac (5 GHz) and 802.11n (2.4 GHz) specifications, delivers over-the-air data rates of up to 1.3 Gbps, and supports up to 200 Wi-Fi clients.
Legacy Aironet Wi-Fi Access Points Supported by Progent
The dramatic improvements in Wi-Fi throughput and capacity enabled by 802.11ac technology, combined with the increase in BYOD users using high-bandwidth applications with streaming video, has made earlier generations of Wi-Fi infrastructure products out of date. Although many organizations run Wi-Fi applications that are well served by legacy 802.11n networks, the fact that discontinued Wi-Fi infrastructure appliances like access points have reached, or are soon to reach, end-of-life status can have important implications for compliance, the ongoing access to technical support, and the challenge of future expansion.
Progent's Cisco-certified Wi-Fi solutions experts offer advanced consulting support services to help organizations of any size manage and support their legacy Aironet environment, evaluate the possible benefits for upgrading to the latest family of Aironet access points, and develop a budget-friendly plan to upgrade smoothly to a cohesive Wi-Fi environment that provides the speed. performance, protection, manageability and availability required of a modern Wi-Fi ecosystem. Examples of legacy Aironet access points for which Progent continues to offer online and onsite support include:
Aironet 1000/1130AG family wireless access points are designed for conventional workplaces and other venues which have little environmental instability. These access points have integrated antennas that provide dependable omnidirectional coverage patterns. The 1130G family device is engineered for restricted domains that do not permit 802.11a/5GHz operation.
Aironet 1230AG or 1240AG family access points are designed for more challenging radio frequency situations like factories or above ceiling structures which tend to call for adjustable external antennas and ruggedized enclosures. The 1240G Series wireless access point is designed for restricted locations that do not permit 5GHz transmission.
Cisco Aironet 1500 Series lightweight outside wireless mesh APs offer an affordable, scalable, secure outdoor Wi-Fi solution for enterprise campuses and for public sites that need access for portable phones or computers.
Cisco's Aironet 600 OfficeExtend Series wireless access point is an 802.11n unit intended for home workers. Cisco's Aironet 600 wireless access point features a dual 2.4/5 GHz radio, uses 2x3 MIMO technology with two spatial streams, serves a maximum of 15 Wi-Fi users, and delivers data rates as high as 300 Mbps.
How Progent Can Help You with Aironet Wireless Access Points
Progent offers cost-effective online or on-premises support from a certified CCIE network consultant to assist you to plan, deploy, manage, tune, upgrade or repair a Wi-Fi environment that incorporates Cisco's Aironet Wi-Fi access points. Progent can assist you manage and debug legacy Aironet APs or move smoothly to Cisco's latest generation of Wave 2 wireless APs based on the 802.11ac specification. Progent's Cisco Wi-Fi controller experts can help you to determine whether your wireless deployment should include Cisco Wi-Fi controller appliances or can be configured and maintained with software-based utilities such as Cisco Mobility Express.
Progent's remote and onsite wireless site surveys can assist you to determine the most appropriate selection and location of Cisco Aironet Wi-Fi APs to handle your client density, offer the coverage you need, and keep up with your most demanding workloads. Progent's network security experts can assist you to plan, implement and validate a security and compliance strategy that covers network policies, remote network monitoring, and streamlined management. Progent's disaster recovery experts and business continuity planning experts can assist your organization to build availability and recoverability into your Cisco product implementations to optimize the productivity of your converged wired/wireless infrastructure.
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