Cisco C9120AXE-B config using DART / AIR-ANT2566D4M-R antenna

[Wayne Paterson]

Hello.

Trying to figure out the configuration via WLC on how to set up a C9120AXE-B to use the 4 ports on its face for indoors and the DART cable / AIR-ANT2566D4M-R antenna for outdoor use.  Do we need to set antenna gain and TX power for the DART setup?

From what I was told, we have to config AP as "XOR".  Do we use slots?  I think we have it working with 5 GHz on the 4 ports on face and the 2.4 GHz on the DART.  However, I think I should be seeing stronger signal from external antenna. (I have temp setup with external antenna in a window about 5 ft off of the ground.  I'm seeing around -80dB about 150 feet away. Using Wi-Fi app on cell phone to measure signal from AP.) 

[pieterh]

there are multiple versions of ANT2566, you could have selected the self-identifying model instead of the -R=

AIR-ANT2566D4M-R=	60° Patch Antenna, 4-port, with RP-TNC connectors.	6 dBi (2.4 GHz) 6 dBi (5 GHz)
AIR-ANT2566D4M-RS=	60° Patch Self-Identifying Antenna, 4-port, with RP-TNC connectors.	6 dBi (2.4 GHz) 6 dBi (5 GHz)
AIR-ANT2566D4M-DS=	60° Patch Self-Identifying Antenna, 4-port, with 4DART connector.	6 dBi (2.4 GHz) 6 dBi (5 GHz)
AIR-ANT2566P4W-DS=	Directional Self-Identifying Antenna, 4-port, with 4DART connector.	6 dBi (2.4 GHz) 6 dBi (5 GHz)

check Cisco Catalyst 9120AX Series Access Point Getting Started Guide - Cisco
section about self-identifying antenna's and port-A / -B

[Wayne Paterson]

The antenna we are using is the "NON" SI "R" model.
Is there somewhere in the config / WLC that we tell the AP what model antenna is being used?
Thanks

[pieterh]

no, in the WLC you cannot select the antenna model, you can only specify the "antenna gain"
Configuration -> Wireless -> Access Points -> close "all access points", open "dual band radios"
double-click on an access point -> antenna parameters

I found this post Solved: WLC98000 external antenna gain configuration - Cisco Community
it says gain is twice the dBi, but i haven't read this in Cisco documents to confirm this .

also take a look at the online help
 Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller for Catalyst Access Points Online Help - Configuring Access Points (tno.nl)
section: Antenna Parameters -> also for SI antenna's  "This field is displayed on selected models"

[JPavonM]

Antenna gain value is documented here and it has been always the same way in Cisco (https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/17-9/config-guide/b_wl_17_9_cg/m_configuring_80211_parameters_for_cisco_aps.html#:~:text=specific%20access%20point.-,ext%2Dant%2Dgain,-%3A%20Configures%20the%20802.11b)

[pieterh]

yes, there it is:
antenna_gain_value —Refers to the external antenna gain value in multiples of .5 dBi units. The valid range is from 0 to 4294967295.
so the factor comes from the units in which it's specified
thank you,