Cisco Aironet 1815w User manual

GETTING STARTED GUIDE
Cisco Aironet 1815w Access Points
First Published: April 14, 2017
Last Updated: August 3, 2022

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1About this Guide
2About the Access Point
3Safety Instructions
4Unpacking the AP
5Ports and Connectors on the AP
6Preparing the AP for Installation
7Installation Overview
8Performing a Pre-Installation Configuration
9Mounting the Access Point
10 Powering the Access Point
11 Configuring and Deploying the Access Point
12 Checking the Access Point LEDs
13 Miscellaneous Usage and Configuration Guidelines
14 Related Documentation
15 Declarations of Conformity and Regulatory Information

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1 About this Guide
This guide provides instructions on how to install and configure your Cisco Aironet 1815w access
points. This guide also provides mounting instructions and limited troubleshooting procedures.
The Aironet 1815w access point is abbreviated as AP in this document.
2 About the Access Point
The Cisco Aironet 1815w access point is an 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (Wave 2) access point, with internal
antennas.
The Cisco Aironet 1815w AP can be vertically mounted on a wall or on a standard junction box.
Physical security is offered with the included Torx screw and the option to add a Kensington lock.
The AP supports 2.4 GHz 2x2 802.11 b/g/n MU-MIMO and 5 GHz 2x2 802.11 a/n/ac (Wave 2)
MU-MIMO applications simultaneously.
Access Point Features
A full listing of the access point's features and specification are provided in the Cisco Aironet 1815w
Access Point Data Sheet, at the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/aironet-1815-series-access-points/datashee
t-c78-738481.html
The features of the 1815w access points are:
•Supported mode(s) of operation:
– Centralized, including Enhanced Local sub-Mode
– OfficeExtend Mode with hardware-based encryption
– FlexConnect Mode
– Monitor Mode, including Enhanced Local Mode (ELM)
– Mobility Express
•Radio features supported are:
– 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz concurrent radios
– 2.4GHz radio with 2TX x 2RX and 2 spatial steams
– 5GHz radio with 2TX x 2RX and 2 spatial steams

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– 802.11ac based Transmit Beamforming
– Quality of Service (QoS)
– Radio Resource Management (RRM)
– Rogue Detection
– BandSelect
– Integrated Bluetooth LE 4.1 radio for location and asset tracking.
•The AP supports the following hardware external interfaces:
– Three local GigE Ethernet Ports, one uplink GigE port, and one passive pass-through RJ45
port.
– RS-232 management console interface through a custom 4-pin connector AIR-CONSADPT=.
Note The AP may face issues while booting if you use an unterminated console cable (not
plugged into any device or terminal) or a console cable that is more than one meter in
length.
– Three 10/100/1000BASE-T ports (local Ethernet ports), one of which also serves as a PoE-Out
port.
The PoE-Out port 802.3af Class 0 (15.4W) power when the AP is powered by802.3at power.
The PoE-Out port does not provide any power output when the AP is powered by 802.3af
power.
– One RJ-45 passive pass-through port (back to bottom).
– Mode button. For information on how to use the Mode button, see “Using the Mode Button”
section on page 36.
– One multi-color LED status indicator for the AP status. LEDs are also present to indicate
per-port status for local the Ethernet ports. For information, see the “Checking the Access
Point LEDs” section on page 33.
– Three local Gigabit Ethernet ports available to securely connect wired devices to the network.
•Two integrated 2.4 GHz/5 GHz dual-band antennas located on the sides of the 1815w access point
under the top housing. Peak antenna gain is approximately 2 dBi and 3 dBi in the 2.4 GHz and
5 GHz bands respectively.

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Access Point Model Numbers and Regulatory Domains
The Cisco Aironet 1815w access point comes in the model number format AIR-AP1815W-x-K9. The
‘x’ in the model number is a placeholder for the regulatory domain. For information on supported
regulatory domains, see the following page:
http://www.cisco.com/go/aironet/compliance

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3 Safety Instructions
Translated versions of the following safety warnings are provided in the translated safety warnings
document that is shipped with your access point. The translated warnings are also in the Translated
Safety Warnings for Cisco Aironet Access Points, which is available on Cisco.com.
Warning IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
This warning symbol means danger. You are in a situation that could cause bodily injury.
Before you work on any equipment, be aware of the hazards involved with electrical
circuitry and be familiar with standard practices for preventing accidents. Use the
statement number provided at the end of each warning to locate its translation in the
translated safety warnings that accompanied this device.
Statement 1071
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Note This equipment is not suitable for use in locations where children are likely to be present.
Note The marking information is located at the bottom of the apparatus.
Warning Read the installation instructions before you connect the system to its power source.
Statement 1004
Warning Installation of the equipment must comply with local and national electrical codes.
Statement 1074
Warning This product relies on the building’s installation for short-circuit (overcurrent)
protection. Ensure that the protective device is rated not greater than:
20A. Statement 1005

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Warning Do not operate your wireless network device near unshielded blasting caps or in an
explosive environment unless the device has been modified to be especially qualified for
such use. Statement 245B
Caution The fasteners you use to mount an access point on a ceiling must be capable of
maintaining a minimum pullout force of 20 lbs (9 kg) and must use a minimum of 4 holes
on the mounting bracket, or a minimum of 2 holes when mounting on a network box.
Caution This product and all interconnected equipment must be installed indoors within the same
building, including the associated LAN connections as defined by Environment A of the
IEEE 802.3af/at Standard.
Note The access point is suitable for use in environmental air space in accordance with section
300.22.C of the National Electrical Code and sections 2-128, 12-010(3), and 12-100 of the
Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, C22.1. You should not install the power supply or power
injector in air handling spaces.
Note Use only with listed Information Technology Equipment (ITE) equipment. For more
information on ITE equipment, refer to article 645 of the latest National Electrical Code
(NEC).

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4 Unpacking the AP
To unpack the access point, follow these steps:
Step 1 Unpack and remove the access point and the mounting accessories, from the shipping box.
Step 2 Return any packing material to the shipping container and save it for future use.
Step 3 Verify that you have received the items listed below. If any item is missing or damaged, contact
your Cisco representative or reseller for instructions.
– The access point
– Mounting wall-plate bracket AIR-AP-BRACKET-W3, and screws.
– Torx security screw and mylar label to cover the screw.
The following accessories can be ordered separately from Cisco:
•Spacer kit AIR-AP1815W-KIT=, includes spacer box, RJ-45 jumper cable, four M3.5x32
mounting screws, two #6-32x1.62” truss head machine screws, two M3x8 pan head mounting
screws.
•Physical security kit AIR-SEC-50=, which includes 50 security screws used to secure the access
point onto the wall-mounting bracket, 50 RJ-45 block-out plugs and 2 unlock keys for blocking
physical access to the RJ45 Ethernet ports.
•Bracket Kit AIR-AP-BRACKET-W3, includes the mounting bracket, one M2x5.5 Torx security
screw , two M3.5x32 pan head mounting screws, two #6-32x0.81” truss head machine-type
mounting screws.

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5 Ports and Connectors on the AP
Figure 1 Face of the AP
1
Location of the Status LED, along with ports
and connectors, on the base of the AP 2
Location of the Kensington lock slot on the
left side of the AP
354941
2
1

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Figure 2 Base of the AP with the Ports and Connectors
Note A physical security kit AIR-SEC-50=, which is sold separately, includes RJ-45 block-out plugs
and two unlock keys using which you can restrict physical access to the Ethernet port.
Note All the three LAN ports support Auto-MDIX. The interface automatically detects the required
cable connection type (straight through or crossover) and configures the connection
appropriately.
1Passive Pass-through port
It is an RJ-45 port, from the base of AP to the
back of the AP.
4LAN port 2
2LAN port 3
This port can only be used for Local
Management and not for RLAN connectivity
for wired clients.
5PSE / LAN port 1
This port provides 802.3af Power Sourcing
Equipment (PSE) PoE-Out power on the
LAN 1 Ethernet interface, when powered by
802.3at power.
3Location of the concealed Status LED
You can see the LED only when it lights up.
354942
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