MESH setup AP3502 vs 2602?

[Finn Rud Laursen]

Hi All,

I'm in the middle of a design and setup using MESH configuration for some AP.

I would like to hear your opinion on the choice of AP in relation to the following:

The Air-CAP2602e uses combined 2.4 and 5 GHz antenna connection on the same socket on the AP.

The Air-CAP3502e use separate connections 3 for the 2.4 GHz and 3 for the 5 GHz radio.

As the AP in mesh setup mainly talk to each other using the 5 GHz radio and often mounted at the same height. would it not be worthwhile to use 3502 instead of 2602? (why do you think... This is why..)

On the 3502 I can use antennas with higher gain on the 5 GHz, as there is dedicated connection-ports for this radio.

On the 2602 I can only use combo antenna for 2,4 and 5 GHZ.

What do you use when deploring MESH?

AP model

Antenna type/model.

Regards

Finn

[Scott Fella]

The difference between the 3500 and the 2600 is that the 2600 has dual band antenna ports, so f antennas for both, unlike the 3500.  For mesh, your backhaul is going to be on the 5ghz, so it really doesn't matter which one you should use.  Your choice of AP will depend on what your going to standardize on, as both will work fine.

Thanks,

Scott

Help out other by using the rating system and marking answered questions as "Answered"

[Scott Fella]

Just to add...

2600: 3x4:3

3500: 2x3:2

Thanks,

Scott

Help out other by using the rating system and marking answered questions as "Answered"

[Finn Rud Laursen]

Scott.

That's exactly why it matters!... I'm probably not quite agree with your opinion :-)

Ok. I might not making it clear enough...

By selecting the 2600 I'll be forced to use a dual band antennas.

The 3500 makes it possible to use a high gain antenna for the backhaul link and some standard omni antenna to service the client area

To my knowledge, there is no dual band antenna with high gain at the 5 GHz and standard 3-4 dBi at 2.4 GHz.

Finn

[Scott Fella]

Well since you mentioned you want to use a high gain antenna on the 5ghz, you already answered your question. You need an ap with separate antenna ports per radio. If you don't know the various antenna models then your better off using a 3502. You can always find an external dual band antenna with four leads and then tweak down the 2.4ghz power to lower the EIRP. It's up to you how you want to setup your environment.

Sent from Cisco Technical Support iPhone App