How to mount cisco AP1542i

[Jaro]

Hello All, 

I have a few industry warehauses, which will be covered by cisco AP 1542I, and I want to mount them on the ceiling (horizontaly), but I found that they should be mounted on pole or wall (verticaly).

When I check Antena diagrams(specification), it looks more effective mount it verticaly.

Do you have any experience with mounting horizontaly?, height of ceiling is 7-8 meters.

Do you know some different industrial APs, which can be monted horizontaly?

Thank you

[Jonas Kalldert]

Hello Jaro,

The 1542I should be mounted vertical as you said because of how the signal is transmitted.

What AP to use really depends on your requirements but pick one with external antennas, that way you have much more flexibility in your design.

There are a 1542E, 1562E, 1572E that you can use if you need an rugged/outdoor AP, select one that matches your requirements. If you dont need outdoor protection you can go with 2802E or 3802E.

regards,
Jonas
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[Leo Laohoo]

I wouldn't recommend using the 1542I/D in this kind of scenario because there's no option to use an external antenna.
From "disco sticks" to patch antenna, 1562E would be more suitable because there are several antenna options to choose from.

[Jaro]

Hello All, thank you for your answers,

@jonas, I found document where is this part number of AP 1542E, but with this spefication AIR-AP1542E2-D-K9 it is not listed in cisco estimated tool, and other devices, which you send me have double prices.

@leo, Thanks for answer, but that price is so high.

And globaly, why is better option to use model with antenna ? Thank you

[Jonas Kalldert]

@Jaro No problem. 

Here is the document for 1542E

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/aironet-1540-series/datasheet-c78-740403.html

This AP is very new so maybe thats why you dont see it listed in the tool.

Rugged/Industrial/Outdoor APs are certainly not cheap. Thats why its important to have your requirements set and then chose an AP that can deliver that. 

With external antennas on the AP you are more flexible in your design and its possible to use one or two types of APs and then only vary what antenna you use to be able to do a design that matches your requirements. Another thing is that you dont have to worry about the APs orientation as long as the antenna is correctly orientated. I have also done designs where we could not mount the AP where the antenna shuld be and then we used low loss antenna cabes to make the design possible. Nut that is often a last resort solution.

regards,
Jonas
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[Jonas Kalldert]

@Jaro I did some more reading on the 1542E and it actually looks like it can only be orderd with -D (India regulatory domain) so far. So I guess 1542E is not a viable alternative for your deployment.

regards,
Jonas
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[Jaro]

Hello Jonas, thanks for answer, 

Form start, I wanted to use cisco 1852i, but there was request for industrial APs, so I choosed 1542, there will be small data rate, so I guess, it will be enough.

If I will use this AP AIR-AP1542E2-E-K9, one advantage for me will be that I can mount them on ceiling, but for this option I will need some antenna, which I can bent to 90° degrees (screen in attachement).

But, in datasheet is written, that only this anntennas are supported (I need omnidirectional):

Omnidirectional

●  AIR-ANT2547V-N

●  AIR-ANT2547VG-N

●  AIR-ANT2568VG-N

●  AIR-ANT2480V-N

●  AIR-ANT5180V-N

●  MA-ANT-20 (Meraki^® antenna)

I have already check them, and it looks like any of them is not reclining (bent to 90°).

1. Do you know some supported antenna, which can be reclining?

2. If you know some antenna, mentioned above, do you think, that it is good idea to use it, instead of recommended in datasheet?

So as I wrote above, one advatnage with AIR-AP1542E2-E-K9 is, that I can mount it on the ceiling, if there will be static anntena (without bent), it is better for me to use AIR-AP1542I-E-K9, because in this case I have to mount APs on concrete pillar.

Thank you for help

[Jonas Kalldert]

If industrial AP is a fixed requirements I would probably use AIR-AP1562E-x-K9 with an antenna that supports the design. The Antennas is not movable by themselves but instead you use a short antenna cable and a mounting bracket for the antenna to mount them correctly.

[Scott Fella]

You look at the IW-3702?
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/wireless/industrial-wireless-3702-access-point/model.html

Many installs require possible custom mounting. There are companies that build adjustable mounts to get the angle you need. Many low voltage companies also know how to fabricate mounting solutions.

[Jonas Kalldert]

I have total missed the IW-3702. I agree with Scott that you should look at that AP. As long as you dont need an Outdoor AP IW-3702 is a much better alternative then 1542 and 1562.

regards,
Jonas
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[Jaro]

Hello, thanks for tips, but I need around 60 APs, and to buy IW-3702  or 1562E  It must have very very big advantages , because as I wrote, there will be not very big traffic and when I compare price there is difference almost 2000$ per AP (list prices).

So please let me know, what disadvantages I will have if I will use 1542i instead of IW-3702 or 1562E ?

 Yes of course, there is very nice anntena patterns, with external  omni antennas..

Really big thank you for this discussion.

[Jaro]

Hello,

One more question, if I will decided to use 1562E, it is possible to mount APS as it is in attachement.

Sorry for my poor drawing, it is possible to mount them by that way, that they will be fixed on concrete beams and antennas will be only sticks out under the concrete beams.

Thank you

[Leo Laohoo]

---

@Jaro wrote:

it is possible to mount them by that way, that they will be fixed on concrete beams and antennas will be only sticks out under the concrete beams. 

---

We are using 1562I/E extensively.

The default mounting bracket that comes in a box will be sufficient to mount the APs. 

The only concern I have is the type of antenna to be used. 

Make sure you know the radiating patterns of the antenna and see if it fits your needs.  Usually, when it comes to deploying in warehouses with shelves, directional antennas are better than omni-directional "disco sticks".

Another important thing:  Make sure the PoE switch has enough power (per port) to power up the AP.

[Scott Fella]

As long as the antennas are not obstructed, you are fine.  You just need to test the coverage to make sure your antennas are providing adequate down tilt which depends on the height of the antennas.