Cisco Aironet 1500

Cisco Aironet 1500 Series Lightweight Outdoor Mesh Access Points

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

Cisco® Aironet® 1500 Series Lightweight Outdoor Mesh Access Points (Figure 1) enable cost-effective, scalable deployment of secure, metropolitan-scale wireless LANs. It is designed for municipal Wi-Fi deployments for public access, public safety, or managed services, or for enterprise campus outdoor Wi-Fi extensions.

Figure 1 Cisco Aironet 1500 Series

With dual-band, simultaneous support for IEEE 802.11a and 802.11b/g standards, the Cisco Aironet 1500 Series employs a patent-pending Adaptive Wireless Path Protocol (AWPP) to form a dynamic wireless mesh network between remote access points, and it delivers secure, high-capacity wireless access to any Wi-Fi-compliant client (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Cisco Wireless Mesh Network Solution

The Cisco Aironet 1500 Series is part of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network architecture. It operates with Cisco wireless LAN controllers and Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) software, centralizing key functions of wireless LANs to provide scalable management, security, seamless mobility, and advanced network services, such as multiple Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs) and quality of service (QoS) for voice, video, and data applications. Designed to support zero-touch configuration deployments, the Cisco Aironet 1500 Series easily and securely joins the mesh network, and is available to manage and monitor the network through the controller and WCS graphical or command-line interfaces (CLIs). Compliant with Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) and employing hardware-based Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption between wireless nodes, the Cisco Aironet 1500 Series provides end-to-end security.

INTELLIGENT WIRELESS ROUTING

The Cisco Aironet 1500 Series can be installed anywhere power is available, without the need for a network connection. Intelligent wireless routing based on the patent-pending Adaptive Wireless Path Protocol, which was designed specifically for wireless environments, enables a remote access point to dynamically optimize the best route to the wired network within the mesh, providing resiliency to interference and helping ensure high network capacity. Deployment and management costs for the Cisco Aironet 1500 Series are reduced through support of zero-touch configuration deployments and through the access points' ability to self-heal in response to interference or outages. Intelligent self-forming, self-optimizing, and self-healing algorithms minimize network convergence time, reducing network downtime for isolated outages or system maintenance.

The Cisco Aironet 1500 Series dedicates a radio for access-point-to-access-point communications, allowing the mesh network to maximize use of
the total available channels, minimize the occurrence of interference, and minimize latency, resulting in more capacity and support for real-time applications such as voice than is available with solutions that use only a single radio. When more capacity is needed, additional sectors need only
be enabled-for example, by provisioning a network connection to a remote access point. The mesh will dynamically re-optimize itself when this
is done.

CISCO UNIFIED WIRELESS NETWORK

Cisco wireless LAN controllers define an innovative architecture for large-scale wireless LANs by considering individual access points as part of a larger system and centralizing certain functions of the 802.11 protocol. Based on the Lightweight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP) and operating as part of this wireless architecture, the Cisco Aironet 1500 Series derives from the Cisco wireless LAN controllers system-level management information of device configuration, security policies, and RF parameters while providing Layer 2 or Layer 3 mobility throughout the network (Figure 3).

In addition, Cisco wireless LAN controllers and Cisco WCS Software provide an easy-to-use, intuitive graphical user interface. A management dashboard displays key network statistics, including traffic statistics, link characteristics, and client information. Simple Network Management Protocol Versions 1, 2c, and 3 (SNMPv1, v2c, and v3) support interfaces to other management platforms. Network maps provide an easy-to-manage, easy-to-understand view of the mesh network deployment and operating state.

With the Cisco Unified Wireless Network, the same design used for the outdoors can be applied to indoor access points, providing seamless operations throughout the WLAN. Security is ensured through advanced networking features, such as supporting differentiated security policies
for different user types or enabling location-based access.

Figure 3 Cisco Unified Wireless Network

Security standards such as 802.11i Wi-Fi WPA2, WPA, and Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) protect the network and client data from malicious activity. X.509 digital certificates authenticate the access point to the network, providing zero-touch configuration deployment. The wireless network and traffic is secured end-to-end with hardware-based AES encryption protecting the wireless mesh links from hacking.

APPLICATIONS

The Cisco Aironet 1500 Series is designed to scale to large outdoor deployments. It is ideally suited for metropolitan networks, being easy to install on streetlight posts. The Cisco Aironet 1500 Series can be deployed with zero-touch configuration required of the mesh access point. Intelligent wireless routing based on the Adaptive Wireless Path Protocol automatically forms a wireless mesh infrastructure that dynamically optimizes the network routes and self-heals from interference or outages, while the Radio Resource Management (RRm software, a feature of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network, optimizes radio parameters for client access. These automated capabilities reduce deployment and maintenance costs.

Dual, high-powered, high-sensitivity radios, along with a selection of high-gain antennas, allow coverage to be scaled as capacity needs increase. Support for the 4.9 GHz band allows licensed public safety agencies to minimize the impact of interference from unlicensed devices. Sixteen Broadcast Service Set Identifiers (BSSIDs) create multiple virtual WLANs, allowing segmentation of the network for different user types-such as public access, municipal services, police, or fire departments-over a single access point. Support for 802.11e throughout the mesh provides quality of service for high-priority traffic such as voice or video. These services extend indoors over the platform-independent architecture, allowing Wi-Fi clients to roam throughout the WLAN, minimizing capital expenditures and management costs.

The Cisco Aironet 1500 Series authenticates clients using the 802.1x authentication protocol, allowing Extensible Authentication Protocol-Subscriber Identity Module (EAP-SIm, Protected EAP (PEAP), Transport Layer Security (TLS), Tunneled TLS (TTLS), and Cisco LEAP types, or allows open authentication. HTTP Webpage redirect to a login portal page interfaces to a local authentication database or a public WLAN services gateway, allowing customers to provide guest user access. Hardware-based AES encryption ensures data privacy without compromising performance.

Remote peripherals, such as video cameras, can be bridged over Ethernet. A ruggedized outdoor enclosure protects against rain and lightning, and resists wind and vibration from storms or road traffic.

The Cisco Wireless Mesh Networking Solution integrates with and extends service provider metropolitan networks. The Metro Ethernet access layer of Cisco 3750 Ethernet Switches provides high-capacity, high-bandwidth services to business customers. By integrating the Cisco Wireless Mesh Network Solution to the metro edge, service providers can extend data and Wi-Fi broadband service to cities for public safety and municipal service, as well as provide citywide hot zone access for consumers (Figure 4).

Figure 4 Cisco Aironet 1500 Series in a Metro Ethernet Deployment

For enterprises, the Cisco Aironet 1500 Series extends the wireless LAN to the outdoors, integrating easily into the existing wireless network architecture. Access points support zero-touch configuration to provide coverage outside of buildings. Additional coverage can be deployed to more remote locations, with the Adaptive Wireless Path Protocol forming a wireless mesh between nodes.

The Cisco wireless LAN controllers and Cisco WCS software provide an easy-to-use and intuitive graphical user interface for centralized WLAN management. A single architecture crosses between the indoor and outdoor WLAN deployment. With 802.11e Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMm support, the Cisco 1500 Series supports seamless roaming of voice applications throughout the enterprise campus. Network integrity and privacy is ensured with 802.11i and WPA2 standards-based security, encrypting from node to node with hardware-based AES.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Table 1 describes the features and benefits of Cisco Aironet 1500 Series Lightweight Outdoor Mesh Access Points.

Table 1 Features and Benefits

SUMMARY

The Cisco Aironet 1500 Series is ideal for outdoor wireless deployments, scaling from enterprise extensions of indoor wireless LANs to metropolitan-sized deployments. Patent-pending Adaptive Wireless Path Protocol, designed specifically for wireless environments, provides dynamic path optimization and self-healing capabilities, making the Cisco Aironet 1500 Series easy to use and minimizing management costs. Dual radios enable pico-cellular designs, delivering high system capacity.

The Cisco Aironet 1500 Series is part of an innovative, unified wireless LAN architecture. Working with Cisco wireless LAN controllers, management, security, and mobility is enabled centrally, at a systems level. This allows the network to work smoothly across the indoor and outdoor wireless LAN.

Cisco Aironet 1500 Series Lightweight Outdoor Mesh Access Points deliver industry-leading performance for wireless mesh networking.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Table 2 Cisco Aironet 1500 Series Product Specifications

Item	Specification
Wireless standards	1510 dual-radio configuration • 802.11a • 802.11b/g 1505 single-radio configuration • 802.11b/g
Media Access Protocol	• Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA)
Date rates and modulation	802.11a (1510 Model only): 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9, 6 Mbps, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) 802.11b: 11, 5.5, 2, 1 Mbps, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) 802.11g: 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9, 6 Mbps, OFDM
1510 Dual-Radio Option- Frequency band and operating channels	Regulatory version	802.11a	802.11b/g
	-A	5.725-5.850 GHz 5 channels 4.940-4.990 GHz 2 channels	2.412-2.462 GHz 11 channels
	-N	5.725-5.850 GHz 5 channels	2.412-2.462 GHz 11 channels
1505 Single-Radio Option- Frequency band and operating channels	Regulatory version	802.11b/g
	-A	2.412-2.462 GHz 11 channels
	-E	2.412-2.472 GHz 13 channels
Transmit power(Maximum transmit power will vary by channel, data rate, and individual country regulations)	Maximum: 802.11a: 26 dBm 802.11b: 24 dBm 802.11g: 24 dBm
Receive sensitivity (typical)	802.11a 6 Mbps: -91 dBm 9 Mbps: -90 dBm 12 Mbps: -89 dBm 18 Mbps: -86 dBm 24 Mbps: -84 dBm 36 Mbps: -80 dBm 48 Mbps: -76 dBm 54 Mbps: -73 dBm	802.11b 1 Mbps: -98 dBm 2 Mbps: -96 dBm 5.5 Mbps: -91dBm 11 Mbps: -89 dBm	802.11g 1 Mbps: -98 dBm 2 Mbps: -96 dBm 5.5 Mbps: -91 dBm 6 Mbps: -91 dBm 9 Mbps: -91 dBm 11 Mbps: -89 dBm 12 Mbps: -91 dBm 18 Mbps: -88 dBm 24 Mbps: -85 dBm 36 Mbps: -82 dBm 48 Mbps: -77 dBm 54 Mbps: -76 dBm
Network interface	802.3u 10/100 Ethernet, autosensing
Networking features	16 Broadcast SSIDs  HTTP Webpage redirect
Management	LWAPP-based Managed by Cisco wireless LAN controller
Security	Wireless bridging/mesh X.509 digital certificates MAC address authentication Hardware-assisted AES encryptionWireless access 802.11i 802.1X authentication, including EAP-SIM, EAP-PEAP, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, Cisco LEAP Hardware-assisted AES, WPA, Temporal Key Integrity Protocol-Message Identity Check (TKIP-MIC) encryption VPN pass-through IP Security (IPsec), Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) MAC address filtering
Dimensions	38 cm x 18.5 cm x 14.5 cm (including antenna mount)
Weight	4.55 kg
Operating temperature	-40 to 55°C
Storage temperature	-50 to 85°C
Environmental ratings	IP66 NEMA 4X
Humidity	0 to 100%
Wind resistance	Up to 100 MPH sustaining Up to 165 MPH gusts
Immunity	<= 5 mJ for 6kV/3kA @ 8/20 ms waveform ANSI/IEEE C62.41 EN61000-4-5 Level 4 AC Surge Immunity EN61000-4-4 Level 4 Electrical Fast Transient Burst Immunity EN61000-4-3 Level 4 EMC Field Immunity EN61000-4-2 Level 4 ESD Immunity EN60950 Overvoltage Category IV
Power	95-260 VAC, 47-63 Hz Power over Ethernet: 48 VDC, +/-10 percent
Warranty	1 year
Wi-Fi Certification

Table 4 Maximum Allowable Antenna Gains

Table 5 lists the antennas that are available for ordering from Cisco for the Cisco Aironet 1500 Series.

Table 5 Orderable Antennas for the Cisco Aironet 1500 Series

ACCESSORIES

Table 6 Cisco Aironet 1500 Series Accessories

Table 7 Cisco Aironet 1500 Series Accessories