Cisco 3802i-E increase power level (dBm) on 9800-CL Controller

[Matthias28]

Hello,

I have two Cisco 3802i-E Access Points were I need a higher power level on the 2.4 GHz WiFi that I will get a stronger singal, because I want to build a Mesh between them because I am not able to setup a cable on the other site.

According to the Cisco 9800CL Controller the highest power level is with 14 dBm on Power Level 1.

On the Cisco Website on the product page it is written, that they are able to get 23 dBm (200 mW) on 24.GHz.

Is there a setting to increase the power levels or is there a reason why, the highest power level only has 14 dBm?

On the Cisco 9800 CL Controller I use the Firmware 17.3.3 and the country on the AP's are set to DE.

Thanks for your help in advance.

Greetings

Matthias28

[patoberli]

I don't know this AP model exactly, but I do know that the Cisco xxxxi models (with internal antennas) are more optimized for dense indoor networks and less for long distance mesh ones. For that they have their own mesh AP series, I think even with some additional software features. I never deployed a mesh, so I'm not 100% sure about the software.

For mesh on the C9800, I found this fairly short guide here:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/215100-join-mesh-aps-to-catalyst-9800-wireless.html

And this very extensive one: 

https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/17-1/deployment-guide/c9800-mesh-rel-17-1.pdf

I think the chapter Monitoring might be very useful here. 

[JPavonM]

@Matthias28 regulations mark the maximum EIRP a device can transmit which means [AP TX Power level] + [Antenna Gain].

Additionally, setting the TX power level manually on the AP is not TPC compliant, so reducing additional 3 dB from maximum allowed in ETSI domain (https://wlan1nde.wordpress.com/2014/11/26/wlan-maximum-transmission-power-etsi/)

In your case, the TX power level is 14 dBm, add 6 dBi from the internal antenna in 5 GHz radio interface an you have it.

My advice, leave TPC decide the TX power level, and limit this level to half the maximum TX power level of the least capable device (normally smartphones) to avoid power impairment and battery drain.

HTH
-Jesus
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