For organizations paving the way for the new 802.11ac Wave 2 standard; the Cisco Aironet 3800 Series is the perfect solution. The access points go beyond getting ready for the new standard; providing the ultimate in flexibility and versatility.
For large enterprise organizations that rely on Wi-Fi to engage with customers; the 3800 Series is a hands-off product that's intelligent enough to make decisions based on end-device activities and usage. This automation allows you to devote time to other pressing matters; secure in the knowledge that your Wi-Fi network is performing to its utmost potential.
The Aironet 3800 Series is packed with the features and capabilities that have made Cisco the industry leader; at a price point that is ideal for managing wireless growth; capacity; and coverage gaps in dense indoor environments.
802.11ac Wave 2 and beyond
The Aironet 3800 Series extends 802.11ac speed and features to a new generation of smartphones; tablets; and high-performance laptops; providing a greater end-user experience. Whether your project involves wholesale changes to your current wireless network or upgrading your legacy Wi-Fi deployments (802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wave 1 deployments); the Aironet 3800 Series can handle the job.
The Aironet 3800 Series supports 802.11ac Wave 2; providing a theoretical connection rate of up to 5.2 Gbps-that's roughly four times the rate offered by today's high-end 802.11ac access points. The boost helps you stay ahead of the performance and bandwidth expectations of today's mobile worker; who usually uses multiple Wi-Fi devices instead of just one. As such; users are adding proportionally larger traffic loads to the wireless LAN; which has outpaced Ethernet as the default enterprise access network.
Cisco DNA support
Pairing the 3800 Series access points with the Cisco Digital Network Architecture (Cisco DNA) allows for a total network transformation. Cisco DNA allows you to truly understand your network with real-time analytics; quickly detect and contain security threats; and easily provide network wide consistency through automation and virtualization. By decoupling network functions from the hardware; you can build and manage your entire wired and wireless network from a single user interface.
Working together; the 3800 Series and Cisco DNA offer such features as:
- Flexible Radio Assignment
- Cisco Connected Mobile Experiences
- Cisco High Density Experience
- Apple FastLane
- Cisco Identity Services Engine
- And much more
High-density experience
Building on the Cisco Aironet heritage of RF excellence; the Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points run on a purpose-built; innovative chipset with a best-in-class RF architecture. This chipset provides a high-density experience for enterprise networks designed for mission-critical; high-performance applications. The 3800 Series is part of Cisco's flagship portfolio of 802.11ac-enabled access points; delivering a robust mobility experience. It features 802.11ac Wave 2 with 4x4 MU-MIMO technology supporting three spatial streams. MU-MIMO enables access points to split spatial streams between client devices; to maximize throughput.
With two radios built into each access point; the Aironet 3800 Series is more versatile than any access point currently on the market. These radios are outfitted with Flexible Radio Assignment; which means that the access points automatically self-optimize to better serve the environment. For example; one of the radios broadcasts its signal on the 5-GHz channel and the other sends out a 2.4-GHz signal. The access point understands the wireless environment and will automatically switch the 2.4-GHz signal to a 5-GHz signal; increasing the reliability of your customers' Wi-Fi use. This setting automatically works in reverse too: the access point can recognize that the RF environment has changed and revert back to its original configuration.
The 3800 Series also dynamically changes the radio settings based on the wireless environment. The access point will allow one of the radios to operate in Wireless Security Monitoring mode; allowing you to detect wireless security threats and interference and combat rogue access. This valuable information can be culled in an easy-to-understand matrix to inform you about your wireless users. Flexible Radio Assignment also allows you to convert a radio into Wireless Service Assurance mode; providing proactive health monitoring of the network.
- Optimized access point roaming helps ensure that client devices associate with the access point in their coverage range that offers the fastest data rate available
- Cisco ClientLink 4.0 improves downlink performance to all mobile devices; including one-; two-; and three-spatial-stream devices on 802.11a/b/g/n/ac. At the same time; the technology improves battery life on mobile devices
- Cisco CleanAir is technology enhanced with 160-MHz channel support. It delivers proactive; high-speed spectrum intelligence across 20-; 40-; and 80-; and 160-MHz-wide channels to combat performance problems due to wireless interference
- MIMO equalization capabilities optimize uplink performance and reliability by reducing the impact of signal fade
- Apple roaming features such as 802.11r Fast Transition; 802.11v BSS Transition; and Assisting Roaming enables Cisco WLAN to provide an optimal Wi-Fi roaming experience to Apple devices
Modular architecture
The 3800 Series carries forward the modular architecture first introduced with the Aironet 3600 Series; providing unparalleled investment protection for forward-looking modular solutions. The 3800 Series delivers an enhanced second-generation modular architecture in the following ways:
- Moving the module connection from the bottom to the side of the access point. This allows for easier addition and removal of a module without having to dismount the access point and also allows for flexibility in module design with respect to size and appropriate antenna placement.
- Increasing the power available to a module to 18W; providing additional flexibility for future module solutions.
- The Cisco Aironet Developer Platform framework works in tandem with the Aironet 3800 Series as the perfect solution; allowing your network to work for you. Modularity brings intent-based networking to the edge; customizing your ability to tackle new use cases and emerging technology standards; so that your deployments are ready for the future. The Cisco Aironet Developer Platform program transforms the access point into a powerful development platform for mobility and IoT convergence.
- The Cisco Beacon Point Module is the virtual beacon solution that is leading the way in the indoor location-based services space. Cisco technology brings both easy deployment and superior location accuracy to the industry. All it takes to move a virtual beacon is a mouse click and technologies that can identify assets from 1 to 3 meters away. The Cisco Beacon Point Module is the perfect add-on to augment your Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Point and will strengthen your wireless network. This solution is well suited to industries such as retail (properly engage customers); healthcare (accurately track assets); and offices (optimize workspaces).
As wireless LAN continues to grow as the dominant method of connecting to private and public networks; the access point becomes a perfect integration point into an enterprise corporate network or carrier service network for a wide variety of solutions. Companies can use a single Ethernet cable drop from their wired network to provide high-speed network access and also typically for Power over Ethernet (PoE) to the access point and solutions that are integrated with and interconnected through the 3800 Series access points.
Product Features:
- 802.11ac Wave 2 support: Provides a theoretical connection rate of up to 2.6 Gbps per radio-roughly double the rates offered by today's high-end 802.11ac access points.
- High-density experience: Best-in-class RF architecture that provides high-performance coverage for a high density of client devices; giving the end user a seamless wireless experience. Features include custom hardware in 802.11ac Wave 2 radios; Cisco CleanAir; Cisco Client Link 4.0; cross-access point noise reduction; and an optimized client roaming experience.
- Multiuser Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MU-MIMO) technology: Supporting three spatial streams; MU-MIMO enables access points to split spatial streams between client devices; to maximize throughput.
- Multigigabit Ethernet support: Providing multiple gigabit uplink speeds of 2.5 Gbps and 5 Gbps in addition to 100-Mbps and 1-Gbps speeds. All speeds are supported on Category 5e cabling for an industry first; as well as 10GBASE-T(IEEE 802.3bz) cabling.
- Flexible Radio Assignment: Allows the access points to intelligently determine the operating mode of serving radios based on the RF environment. The access points can operate in the following modes:
- 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz mode: One radio serves clients in 2.4-GHz mode; while the other serves clients in 5-GHz mode
- Dual 5-GHz mode: Both radios inside the access point operate on the 5-GHz band; maximizing the benefits of 802.11ac Wave 2 and increasing client device capacity
- Wireless Security Monitoring and 5-GHz mode: One radio serves 5-GHz clients while the other is scanning the full spectrum for attackers; RF interference; and rogue devices
- Dual 5-GHz radio support: Enables both radios to operate in 5-GHz client serving mode; allowing an industry-leading 5.2 Gbps (2 x 2.6 Gbps) over-the-air speed while increasing client capacity.
- Smart antenna connector: An intelligent second physical antenna connector is included on 3800 Series models with an external antenna. This connector provides advanced network design flexibility for high-density and large open-area environments such as auditoriums; convention centers; libraries; cafeteria; and arenas/stadiums; allowing two sets of antennas to be connected and active on a single access point.
- Modular architecture:
- Second-generation modular architecture first introduced by the 3600 Series access points. New side-mount connection allows companies to add and remove modules as needed without having to dismount the access point from the ceiling; further simplifying the customer's time and dollars when performing network upgrades.
- The new side-mount architecture allows for additional flexibility in the form factor of a 3800 Series module; and in the choice of solutions with integrated or even external antennas of their own.
- We have doubled the amount of power available to 3800 Series modules from 9W to 18W; broadening the potential module applications and solutions.
- 160-MHz channel support: Supporting channels up to 160 MHz wide; Dynamic Bandwidth Selection allows the access point to dynamically switch between 20-; 40-; 80-; and 160-MHz channels; depending on the RF channel conditions; providing the industry's best-performing wireless network.
- Zero-impact Application Visibility and Control: Uses dedicated hardware acceleration to improve the performance of line-speed applications such as Cisco Application Visibility and Control.
- Cisco ClientLink 4.0: Cisco ClientLink 4.0 technology improves downlink performance to all mobile devices; including one-; two-; and three-spatial-stream devices on 802.11a/b/g/n/ac while improving battery life on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
- Cisco CleanAir 160 MHz: Cisco CleanAir technology; enhanced with 160-MHz channel support; provides proactive; high-speed spectrum intelligence across 20-; 40-; 80-; and 160-MHz-wide channels to combat performance problems due to wireless interference.
- Cross-access point noise reduction: A Cisco innovation that enables access points to intelligently collaborate in real time about RF conditions so that users connect with optimized signal quality and performance.
- Optimized access point roaming: Helps ensure that client devices associate with the access point in their coverage range that offers the fastest data rate available.
- Automatic link aggregation (LAG) support: 802.3ad (Link Aggregation Control Protocol [LACP]) compliant; allowing both Ethernet interfaces to automatically enable LAG; increasing overall throughput to the access point.
- Cisco Mobility Express: Flexible deployment mode through the Cisco Mobility Express solution is ideal for high density environments and can support up to 100 access points. Easy setup allows the 3800 Series access points to be deployed on networks without a physical controller.
Specification:
- Software and supported wireless LAN controllers
- Cisco Unified Wireless Network Software Release 8.2.111.0 or later
- Cisco IOS XE Software Release 16.3
- Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controllers; Cisco 3500 Series Wireless Controllers; Cisco Wireless Controller Module for ISR G2; Cisco Wireless Services Module 2 (WiSM2) for Catalyst 6500 Series Switches; Cisco 5500 Series Wireless Controllers; Cisco Flex 7500 Series Wireless Controllers; Cisco 8500 Series Wireless Controllers; Cisco Virtual Wireless Controller
- Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series and 3650 Series Switches
- Cisco Mobility Express
- 802.11n version 2.0 (and related) capabilities
- 4x4 MIMO with three spatial streams
- Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC)
- 802.11n and 802.11a/g beamforming
- 20- and 40-MHz channels
- PHY data rates up to 450 Mbps (40 MHz with 5 GHz)
- Packet aggregation: A-MPDU (Tx/Rx); A-MSDU (Tx/Rx)
- 802.11 Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)
- Cyclic Shift Diversity (CSD) support
- 802.11ac Wave 1 capabilities
- 4x4 MIMO with three spatial streams
- MRC
- 802.11ac beamforming
- 20-; 40-; and 80-MHz channels
- PHY data rates up to 1.3 Gbps (80 MHz in 5 GHz)
- Packet aggregation: A-MPDU (Tx/Rx); A-MSDU (Tx/Rx)
- 802.11 DFS
- CSD support
- 802.11ac Wave 2 capabilities
- 4x4 MU-MIMO with three spatial streams
- MRC
- 802.11ac beamforming
- 20-; 40-; 80; 160-MHz channels
- PHY data rates up to 5.2 Gbps
- Packet aggregation: A-MPDU (Tx/Rx); A-MSDU (Tx/Rx)
- 802.11 DFS
- CSD support
- Wi-Fi Alliance Certified
- Wi-Fi Certified a; b; g; n; ac
- Wi-Fi Vantage
- WMM
- Passpoint
- Integrated antenna
- Flexible radio (either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz): 2.4 GHz; gain 4 dBi; internal antenna; omnidirectional in azimuth; 5 GHz; gain 6 dBi; internal directional antenna; elevation plane beamwidth 90 degree
- Dedicated 5-GHz radio: 5 GHz; gain 5 dBi; internal antenna; omnidirectional in azimuth
- Dedicated 5-GHz radio: 5 GHz; gain 5 dBi; internal antenna; omnidirectional in azimuth
- 2 Ethernet ports
- 100/1000/2500/5000 Multigigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) - IEEE 802.3bz: CAT 5e cabling; Higher-quality 10GBASE-T (CAT 6/6a) cabling
- 100/1000BASE-T autosensing (RJ-45 - AUX port)
- Management console port (RJ-45)
- Indicators: Status LED indicates boot loader status; association status; operating status; boot loader warnings; boot loader errors
- Input power requirements
- 802.3at PoE+; Cisco Universal Power over Ethernet (Cisco UPOE)
- 802.3at power injector (AIR-PWRINJ6=)
- 50W power supply (AIR-PWR-50=)
- Power draw
- 25.8W at the PSE (22.5W at the PD) with all features enabled except for the USB 2.0 port
- 30W at the PSE (25.5W at the PD) with the USB 2.0 port enabled
- Environmental
- Nonoperating (storage) temperature: -22 degree to 158 degreeF (-30 degree to 70 degreeC)
- Nonoperating (storage) altitude test: 25°C; 15;000 ft.
- Operating temperature: 32 degree to 104 degreeF (0 degree to 40 degreeC)
- Operating humidity: 10% to 90% percent (noncondensing)
- Operating altitude test: 40°C; 9843 ft.
- System memory: 1024 MB DRAM; 256 MB flash
- Frequency band and 20-MHz operating channels
- 2.412 to 2.472 GHz; 13 channels
- 5.180 to 5.320 GHz; 8 channels
- Compliance standards
- UL 60950-1; CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1; UL 2043; IEC 60950-1
- Radio approvals: FCC Part 15.107; 15.109; 15.247; 15.407; 14-30; RSS-247 (Canada); EN 300.328; EN 301.893 (Europe); ARIB-STD 66 (Japan); ARIB-STD T71 (Japan); EMI and susceptibility (Class B); ICES-003 (Canada); VCCI (Japan); EN 301.489-1 and -17 (Europe); EN 60601-1-2 EMC requirements for the Medical Directive 93/42/EEC
- IEEE standards: IEEE 802.11a/b/g; 802.11n; 802.11h; 802.11d; 802.11r; 802.11k; 802.11v; 802;11u; 802.11w; IEEE 802.11ac
- Security: 802.11i; Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2); WPA; 802.1X; Advanced Encryption Standards (AES); Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP)
- Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) types: EAP-Transport Layer Security (TLS); EAP-Tunneled TLS (TTLS) or Microsoft Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol Version 2 (MSCHAPv2); Protected EAP (PEAP) v0 or EAP-MSCHAPv2; EAP-Flexible Authentication via Secure Tunneling (FAST); PEAP v1 or EAP-Generic Token Card (GTC); EAP-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
- Multimedia: Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM)
- Other: FCC Bulletin OET-65C; RSS-102
- Data rates supported
- 802.11b: 1; 2; 5.5; and 11 Mbps
- 802.11a/g: 6; 9; 12; 18; 24; 36; 48; and 54 Mbps
- 802.11n HT20: 6.5 to 216.7 Mbps (MCS0 to MCS23)
- 802.11n HT40: 13.5 to 450 Mbps (MCS0 to MCS23)
- 802.11ac VHT20: 6.5 to 288.9 Mbps (MCS0 to 8 - SS 1; MCS0 to 9 - SS 2 and 3)
- 802.11ac VHT40: 13.5 to 600 Mbps (MCS0 to 9 - SS 1 to 3)
- 802.11ac VHT80: 29.3 to 1300 Mbps (MCS0 to 9 - SS 1 to 3)
- 802.11ac VHT160: 58.5 to 2304 Mbps (MCS0 to 9 - SS 1 and 2; MCS0 to 8 - SS 3)
- Dimensions (W x L x H): 8.66 x 8.68 x 2.46 in. (22 x 22 x 6.25 cm)
- Weight: 4.6 lbs. (2.09 kg)
