Indoor Aironet recommendation

[JoelDarbro50834]

I would like to find an Aironet indoor AP that will operate in Mesh mode with wireless backhaul. Looking at the compatibility matrix for 8.5.182.x I need to stick with 1600, 1700, 1800i, 1810 OEAP, 1810W, 1815i, 1815m, 1815t, 1815w, 1830, 1850, 2600, 2700, 2800, 3500e, 3500i, 3500p, 3600e, 3600i, 3600p, 3702e, 3702i, 3702p, 3800

After reading all the data sheets on those APs, I'm still not sure which models can do wireless backhaul and which require ethernet connection? Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[Scott Fella]

Majority of indoor access points support mesh but you would need to reference the ap reference guide. This might help you at least get to a point of choosing specific access points.  Make sure you want to do indoor mesh, because the backhaul has the same attenuation as it would be for clients. so wall, shelvings, distance, interference, will still affect the backhaul. I would also use the higher en models like the 2800's or 3800's. The 2800i/3800i have internal antennas, where the 2800e/3800e requires you to purchase antennas.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/8-5/Enterprise-Mobility-8-5-Design-Guide/Enterprise_Mobility_8-5_Deployment_Guide/Chapter-8.html

Also take a look here at table 10:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/release/notes/crn85mr8.html#ap-mesh

[JoelDarbro50834]

Thank you for the info Scott. I have a garage that doesn’t have wired network and the walls and ceiling are concrete. I had an older 1200 series AP that I used a directional antenna to point out the garage door window towards an outdoor AP. The 1200  is no longer compatible with 8.5. I will look at the 2800/3800 APs you mentioned.

I have 2 other metal sided buildings that can’t get reliable WiFi inside. They do have Ethernet so based on your advice I’ll stick with wired APs.

Joel