Wireless coverage for AP's

[adamgibs7]

Dear Experts

I m very new to the Wireless technologies , I want to know the below for the pre-sales part.

1. I want to know which AP will give more coverage than other and on basis of what ??
2. And an idea basis on what input which AP's and controller  has to be choose

Thanks

[Rasika Nayanajith]

1. Coverage will depend on what frequency it use, antenna types & gains, number of radio,etc. Have a look below video, that may give an idea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxIgN6jXYn8

2. In Cisco product point of view, if you need to manage large environment (100+ AP) then having a controller WLC make sense. For small scale deployment you can use AP act as controller (called ME- Mobility Express) & other APs can managed via that ME AP.

Within Cisco, there is another Wireless solutions available called Meraki, which is cloud based solution. You just need to install AP & register them to a cloud portal (so no dedicated controllers required), it is subscription basis & management is very easy.

AP need to be choose, what technology it supports, what environment you deploy it (outdoor vs indoor) & user requirements. Different type of APs shown below

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/wireless/access-points/index.html#~stickynav=1

HTH

Rasika

*** Pls rate all useful responses ***

[Leo Laohoo]

When dealing with Cisco kit, it is "you get what you paid for".  Cisco APs are divided into several categories and it's based entirely on prices.  The 4800 is the most expensive model.  It's major selling points are BLE support and mGIG.  Take away the BLE and it's the 3800.  Take away BLE and mGIG and it's the 2800.  Strip down the amount of antennas and CPU and that where the 1800 comes in.  

Next, mGIG.  How many companies can actually deploy mGIG?  Not a lot.  Getting CFO to sign off a batch of new APs is one thing, but to tell the CFO that you'll need to re-design the whole wired network is another thing.  

I've got a large deployment of 2800 and I only use one uplink and I've never seen the busiest AP over utilize the single data port.  

To be honest, the first port-of-call for anyone jumping into Cisco kit, I will recommend people read (and understand) the Data Sheet.  

[Scott Fella]

When I worked for a big Cisco partner, we have all the AP’s and majority of antennas that we would use. To survey with a different AP different from what you would install can give you inaccurate results.  If you are experienced in wireless, you can survey with a different AP, but similar. What I mean is, you can use a 3802i and install a 2802i or 1802i but never with an AP that has an external antenna and vice versa. 

That is my opinion. 

[adamgibs7]

Dears,

I want to know the below :

1815i --- I stands for ??

1815W  --- W stands for ???

1815t ---T stands for

1815m---M stands for ??

Thanks

[Rasika Nayanajith · Accepted solution]

This is my guess based on below document

https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/aironet-1815-series-access-points/at-a-glance-c45-738500.pdf

I - Indoor

W - Wall Mount

T- Teleworker

M - More power 

HTH

Rasika