Cisco Aironet 1600 Series Quick reference guide

Cisco Systems, Inc.
www.cisco.com
Cisco Aironet Series 1600/2600/3600 Access
Point Deployment Guide, Release 7.5
Last Updated: July 5th, 2013
Release: Cisco Aironet Series 1600/2600/3600 Access Point Deployment Guide, Release 7.5

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Cisco Aironet Series 1600/2600/3600 Access Point Deployment Guide, Release 7.5
Abstract
Abstract
This document covers the Cisco 2600 and 3600 Series Access Points theory of operation and installation
as part of a Cisco wireless LAN (WLAN) solution. Subjects related include:
•Choosing the right Access Point
•Differences between AP 3600 and AP 3500
•Differences between AP 3600 and AP 2600
•Introduction of AP 1600 – AP feature comparison
•Hardware details, mounting options, bracket choices and installation considerations
•Antenna options, radiation patterns external antenna deployments
•Understanding spatial streams, MCS rates, and what they mean
•ClientLink 2.0 – what this means for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
•Primer 802.11ac and Wave-1 802.11ac module for the AP 3600
•Site Survey considerations
•Look at poor installations, Q&A and useful URLs
Audience
This document is intended for trained and experienced technical personnel familiar with the existing
Cisco Wireless Networking Group (WNG) product line and features.
Table of Contents
•Choosing the Right Access Point
– Models
– Differences between the AP 3600 and AP 3500 Access Points
– AP 3600 Feature Module Support
•Differences between the AP 3600 and AP 2600
•Introducing Cisco Aironet 1600 Series Access Point
– Cisco Clean Air Express
•Access Point Physical Hardware and Mounting Options
– Channel Rail Adapters - Cisco Part Number AIR-CHNL-ADAPTER
– Mounting an AP Directly into the Tile Using Optional AIR-AP-BRACKET-3
– Wall-mounting the AP
– Changing the Color of an AP
•Unique Installations
– Clean Rooms (Healthcare)
– Above Ceiling Tiles

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Cisco Aironet Series 1600/2600/3600 Access Point Deployment Guide, Release 7.5
Choosing the Right Access Point
– Stadium/Harsh Environments
– Areas with High Vibration
– Warehouse and Factory
•Ethernet Cable Recommendation
•Antenna Cable Recommendation
•Access Point Spacing Recommendations
– Installations in IDF Closets (Telecommunications or other Electrical Equipment)
– Installations at Very High Altitudes
– Installations Using a Common or Distributed Antenna System (DAS)
– Installations Inside and Around Elevators
•External Antenna Options and Patterns
– For use with AP 1600/2600 and 3600e Access Points
– AP 3600i, AP 2600i, and AP 1600i
•Understanding External Antenna Deployments
•802.11n Primer - Understanding Spatial Streams
– Clients That Support Three Spatial Streams
– Understanding Beamforming – ClientLink 1.0 and 2.0
•Site Survey Considerations
•General Considerations Regarding Access Points
– AP 3600 Radio Module Cisco Part Number (AIR-RM3000AC-x-K9=)
– Radio Module Operational Overview
– Client Band Steering
– 802.11ac Client Recommendations
– Radio Interfaces and Understanding Client Associations
– Troubleshooting the module (basics)
•802.11ac Primer – How is it different from 802.11n?
•Understanding 802.11ac and the option module
•A Quick Look at a few "Non-Optimal" Installations
•Misc. Questions and Answers
•URL Links and Other Resources
Choosing the Right Access Point
Models
The Cisco 3600 Series Access Point (AP 3600) targets customers requiring support for mission-critical
applications. The AP 3600 embodies ClientLink 2.0, an innovative antenna technology comprising four
transmit radios and four receive radios called 4X4 Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) and three

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Cisco Aironet Series 1600/2600/3600 Access Point Deployment Guide, Release 7.5
Choosing the Right Access Point
spatial stream (3SS) beamforming, together referenced as 4x4:3. ClientLink 2.0 permits speeds up to 450
Mbps via additional Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) data rates 16-23, while still maintaining
IEEE 802.3af (15.4 Watt) Power over Ethernet (PoE) compliance. More on spatial streams can be found
in section 802.11n Primer - Understanding Spatial Streams.
Figure 1 Access Point Portfolio Placement
Access Points are available in two models see Figure 2:
•Internal antennas version labeled “i” that has captured antennas (part of the housing and not
removable). The “i” series is designed for indoor Enterprise installations where office aesthetics are
a primary concern.
•External antennas version labeled “e” that is more rugged and designed for industrial use in
locations such as hospitals, factories, and warehouses, anywhere a need exists for external antennas
and/or extended operating temperatures. The “e” version also supports mounting inside NEMA
enclosures for use in the most demanding environments.

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Cisco Aironet Series 1600/2600/3600 Access Point Deployment Guide, Release 7.5
Choosing the Right Access Point
Figure 2 AP 3600 Models and Eco-packs
Figure 3 AP 2600 Models and Eco-packs

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Cisco Aironet Series 1600/2600/3600 Access Point Deployment Guide, Release 7.5
Choosing the Right Access Point
Figure 4 AP 1600 Models and Eco-packs
Differences between the AP 3600 and AP 3500 Access Points
The internal antenna version of AP 3600 and AP 3500 is almost identical in physical appearance with
the exception of the LED which is slightly larger and more oval on the AP 3600. The AP 3500 has a
square LED (allows for visual identification).
Figure 5 AP 3600 vs AP 3500 LED Appearance
From a side view, the AP 3600 is slightly thicker when compared to the AP 3500. The thicker size allows
for additional radio support and printed circuit board area, as well as modularity for future capabilities.
While the AP 3600 has a little more depth, this AP is completely backward compatible with the mounting
brackets for the existing Cisco Aironet 1040, 1140, 1260 and 3500 Series Access Points.

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Choosing the Right Access Point
Figure 6 Side View of AP 3600 (2.11 inches) and AP 3500 (1.84 inches) in height
The AP 3600e (external antenna version) differs in appearance from the AP 3500e, having fewer antenna
connector ports primarily due to the dual-band antenna system that is used.
The AP 3500e has separate antennas for each band, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and does not support 3SS
technology since it has only two transceivers (transmitter/receiver) and one extra receiver per band
enabling operation up to two spatial streams.
The AP 3600e has combined all the antenna ports (dual-band) so that each antenna port can transmit
simultaneously on each band; had the antenna ports not been combined, this would have required 8
antennas. The AP 3600 has four transceivers (transmitter/receiver) radio ports per band for a total of
eight transceiver, four in each band. This additional radio per band permits beamforming to 3SS clients
using ClientLink 2.0 to improve the overall performance of all 802.11n clients with 1, 2 and 3 spatial
streams.
Note Beamforming to a 3SS client requires n+1 RF design. To accomplish this, the AP 3600 has an additional
radio per band, which improves client performance by using Cisco ClientLink 2.0.
Unlike AP 3500, the newer AP 3600 design supports an additional feature module. The bottom of the
AP 3600 unit looks different as it has openings to support the feature module. The openings, while fully
sealed, permit the module to have access to the topside of the AP to allow the module antennas (if present
in the module being used) to fully function. The unit includes a positive snap “spring loaded BB” so the
installer can feel a positive lock when the AP is fully engaged in the bracket (Figure 7).
Figure 7 Bottom of AP 3600 Unit

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Cisco Aironet Series 1600/2600/3600 Access Point Deployment Guide, Release 7.5
Differences between the AP 3600 and AP 2600
AP 3600 Feature Module Support
The WSSI (Wireless Security and Spread Spectrum Intelligence) module adds new functionality to the
AP to future-proof customers' investment. This module provides a dedicated monitor radio to scan the
full spectrum (not just the channel on which the AP is operating). It will offload complete monitoring
and security services to the monitor module including CleanAir, WIDS/WIPS, Context-aware Location,
Rogue Detection, and Radio Resource Management (RRM). This module allows for full spectrum
analysis on all channels on both the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands.
Having the add-on feature module avoids having to deploy a separate, dedicated overlay network for full
spectrum monitoring and eliminates the need for an extra cable pull and additional infrastructure costs
(Figure 8).
The second available module will provide 802.11ac (wave-1) functionality to the AP 3600. This radio
module will operate at 5GHz and allow the AP 3600 to fully support 802.11a/n along with 802.11ac
clients. (Wave-1) functionality will support a 1.3 Gbps PHY / ~1 Gbps MAC (throughput) using 3 spatial
streams, 80 MHz, 256 QAM. Supporting Explicit Beamforming support per the 802.11ac standard.
Use of the module may require the local power supply, Cisco power injector, .3at PoE+ or the use of
Cisco Enhanced PoE, as the module may increase power draw greater than 15.4W.
Note Cisco Enhanced PoE was created by Cisco and is the forerunner to 802.3at PoE+.
Figure 8 Feature Module Slides into Bottom of AP 3600
Differences between the AP 3600 and AP 2600
The AP 3600 has a modular design that offers future protection with the .11ac module, security module
and perhaps other modules in the future. AP 3600 is a 4X4:3SS supporting an extra transmitter chain for
additional downlink performance for all bands and clients.

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Cisco Aironet Series 1600/2600/3600 Access Point Deployment Guide, Release 7.5
Differences between the AP 3600 and AP 2600
The AP 2600 is very similar to the AP 3600 but is a 3X4:3SS so with the AP 2600 - Client Link does
not beamform to 3-ss clients, however; it does beamform at legacy and 1 & 2 Spatial Stream rates.
The AP 3600 has slightly higher performance and beamforms to legacy 1, 2, 3 spatial stream rates and
.11ac rates when using the optional .11ac module.
Unlike the AP 3600, the AP 2600 Access Point does not support optional modules but it does have a little
higher antenna gain in the 2.4 GHz band. A lot of effort has been put in to make sure the coverage area
is uniform between different models of Access Points so that if you surveyed for a 3600 Series AP, the
AP 2600 can also be substituted without performing another survey.
Figure 9 AP 2600 is same size as AP 3600 but does not support radio modules

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Cisco Aironet Series 1600/2600/3600 Access Point Deployment Guide, Release 7.5
Introducing Cisco Aironet 1600 Series Access Point
Figure 10 Backside of the AP 2600 - mounting hardware and antennas are the same as AP 3600
Introducing Cisco Aironet 1600 Series Access Point
Designed as an entry level Access Point, key feature items include: