AP for Underground car park

[patrickbyrne456305724]

Hi there,

I am looking for recommendations for AP's for Underground car park of a building. Currently, all other floors have APs and confirgured by WLC 5500. I am not sure what APs are EOL regarding the 5500 WLC. Also, what do I need to have in place on the WLC to allow these APs on it (Licensing etc). Essentially, these APs will extend all the current SSIDs for the building.

All help much appreciated,

[Scott Fella]

What you need to do is review the matrix to see what ap's are supported on what code version.  You don't want to buy new ap's and then find out your 5500 which is EOL doesn't support the new ap's.  
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/compatibility/matrix/compatibility-matrix.html

As far as license goes, the 5500 I'm assuming 5508 had a license file, but if you have a 5520, then that has a right to use or RTU license.  You can search the documentation on how to add more license if needed.  Your biggest issue is getting a survey and understanding what ap to use, where to place them and how many.  Along with how are you going to run the cabling to the ap's and where the switch will be located.

5508

https://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/wireless/controller/7.4/configuration/guides/system_management/config_system_management_chapter_011.html

5520

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/3504-wireless-controller/214106-licensing-on-3504-5520-and-8540-wireles.html

[Leo Laohoo]

What is the exact model of WLC and what firmware is the WLC on?

[Haydn Andrews]

As for the carpark, I would get the requirements for what you are trying to cover, some carparks want blanket coverage for VoWIFI, some just want data so people can access internet.
That will help determine the coverage requirements to do a design.

As for models of APs, thats dependant on the WLC/ WLC software version and existing AP models. You may not be able to have both the newest models on the same WLC as your existing APs.

Now for actual models, that depends on enviromentals in the carpark, as some models cant take over or below some temperatures, some have humidity requirements.

I have done carparks with the following in the past:

Indoor model APs - just mounted and accepted the risk they probably will die earlier due to not being suited to the enviroment

Indoor model APs inside NEMA enclosures - this helps with exposure to moisture and also car exursts

Outdoor model APs

[patrickbyrne456305724]

Hi all,

Many thanks for the feedback. The WLC is a 5520 (AIR-CT5520-K9) software version 8.5.135.0. Current AP's are AIR-CAP27.
The current licence on WLC is for adder license with 300 and only 100 being used at present. I will carry out a full survey and see the distance the cable runs would be. With the above information is there any APs that would be suitable? 

[Rich R]

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/wireless/access-point-controller-selector.html?oid=caten019019&view=filter
Follow Haydn's advice on selecting AP model.  Be aware that the WiFi 6E models will NOT be supported on the 5520 but most of the WiFi 6 models are.  You will need to update to 8.10.190.0 software - always refer to the TAC recommended link below and the compatibility matrix to check WLC and AP compatibility with the software and always read the software release notes carefully.

[marce1000]

 - Also consider moving over to the modern 9800 controller platform(s) as the aireos controller are being phased out ; virtual 9800 controller is free for download (for instance) : APs will need a DNA-license for compatibilities checkout :
                      https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/compatibility/matrix/compatibility-matrix.html

 M.