Cisco hwic-ap or Aironet Access Point?

[mariano.deheza]

Hello all!

I'm doing CCNA, and building my router-switching lab. I want to add WiFi links to my routing experiments, so I'm looking for to buy a hwic-ap module or a separated access point such as Air-ap1231g-a-k9; Air-ap1242g-a-k9, to say some afordable cheap models.

My question is: from the point of view of configuring by commands (CLI), which option is more complex, more interesting to learning? use hwic-ap module inserted into the routers, or console configurable big access points? Or boths?

Thank you in advance and kind regards.

MD

[Flavio Miranda · Accepted solution]

Hi @mariano.deheza

 They are exactly the same. Same commands, same prompt. For CCNA you don´t need a Lab actually, but, if you can afford it, buy APs instead module. 

-If I helped you somehow, please, rate it as useful.-

[mariano.deheza]

Thank you a lot, Flavio! I know that real lab is not necessary, but I like to work with hardware too. Anyway, there is several commands that are not the same with Packet Tracer. 

The APs are using a complete ios operating system? Or is another version? 

Regards,

Mariano

[Flavio Miranda]

When Autonomous it has most of IOS commands plus some wireless specific commands. 

-If I helped you somehow, please, rate it as useful.-

[mariano.deheza]

OK, Flavio, what does it means autonomous?