Cisco Aironet 1250AG Series 802.11 A/B/G Access Point

The Cisco Aironet 1250 Series is part of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network. The Cisco Unified Wireless Network is a comprehensive solution that unifies the wired and wireless network to deliver a common set of services and applications, providing users a single experience for any mode of network connectivity, and offering IT simplified operational management. The Cisco Aironet 1250 Series integrates seamlessly with the Cisco Unified Wireless Network. It extends the same industry-leading RF and network management capabilities as currently available across the breadth of Cisco wireless solutions.

The Cisco Aironet 1250 Series has two deployment options: controller-based (unified) or standalone (autonomous). Access points using the Lightweight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP) work in conjunction with Cisco wireless LAN controllers and optionally with the Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS). When configured with LWAPP, the Cisco Aironet 1250 Series simplifies operations by automatically detecting the best-available Cisco Wireless LAN Controller and downloading appropriate policies and configuration information with no manual intervention. When deployed as a standalone access point, the Cisco Aironet 1250 Series delivers a baseline set of features and can later be software-upgraded to take advantage of the full benefits of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network.

The Cisco Aironet 1250 Series is a modular platform that is compliant with the 802.11n draft 2.0 standard and is the first Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 802.11n draft 2.0 access point. Furthermore, the platform has been tested extensively to ensure simple, secure interoperability with IEEE 802.11n draft 2.0 standard devices. The Cisco Aironet 1250 Series provides additional investment protection with its modular, field-upgradeable design and easy-to-install radio modules. Cisco is committed to standards, and the Cisco Aironet 1250 Series provides a path for compliance to the final IEEE 802.11n standard, once ratified. Businesses with an immediate need to enhance the performance of their WLANs can deploy the IEEE 802.11n draft 2.0 standard radio modules now with the confidence that their investments are protected. These modules can be easily field-upgraded should this be required by a shift in standards evolution.

Award-Winning Security

The Cisco Aironet 1250 Series supports industry-standard wireless security protocols, including 802.11i, Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), WPA2, and 802.1X, along with numerous Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) types. The access point delivers hardware-accelerated Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption designed to meet the most stringent enterprise and government encryption requirements without compromising performance. As part of the Cisco Secure Wireless Solution, Cisco Aironet 1250 Series Access Points operating with LWAPP enable comprehensive wired and wireless intrusion prevention and detection. Each access point can scan the RF environment and report on suspicious or unauthorized wireless activity, effectively allowing businesses to create a comprehensive threat defense across 802.11a/b/g and now 802.11n. Additionally, the Cisco Aironet 1250 Series Access Point supports management frame protection for the encryption of 802.11 management frames by the wireless network infrastructure. This allows the network to completely remove the threat from man-in-the-middle and spoofing attacks. If an access point detects a malicious attack, an alarm will be generated and reported to the network administrator.

RF Management

Cisco incorporates unique capabilities within its wireless solution that address the operational challenges of deploying business wireless networks. At the heart of these capabilities are intelligent Radio Resource Management (RRM) algorithms designed to consistently fine-tune WLAN parameters to best meet ongoing performance requirements. RRM allows the Cisco Unified Wireless Network to continuously analyze the existing RF environment and automatically adjust access point power and channel settings to help mitigate such things as co-channel interference and signal coverage problems. Unlike conventional 802.11a/b/g products, the Cisco Aironet 1250 Series uses multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology to take advantage of the effects of RF multipath propagation in order to improve the reliability and predictability of the wireless signal. The Cisco Aironet 1250 Series supports the latest U.S. and European requirements for Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS), ensuring the access point accurately detects radar events and makes full use of the available 5-GHz spectrum. In addition, the Cisco Aironet 1250 Series supports a Software Defined Radio (SDR) enabling it to be upgraded in the field to support new frequencies and power levels as they are approved for use. These RF management capabilities increase system capacity, perform automated self-healing to compensate for RF dead zones and access point failures, and provide a comprehensive way to manage one of your most precious assets, your corporate spectrum.

Deployment Scenarios

The Cisco Aironet 1250 Series with support for the 802.11n draft 2.0 standard is ideal for a variety of deployment scenarios across many industries. The improved throughput, reliability, and predictability of an 802.11n network meet the requirements that many companies have for moving towards a truly mobile enterprise. Cisco's next-generation wireless technology is especially beneficial for environments with the following characteristics:

• Challenging RF environments (for example, manufacturing plants, warehouses, clinical environments)
• Bandwidth-intensive applications (for example, digital imaging, file transfers, network backup)
• Real-time, latency-sensitive applications including voice and video
• Environments that need to support existing 802.11a/b/g and new 802.11n wireless clients

Designed for critical business environments and installations that require antenna versatility, the Cisco Aironet 1250 Series features antenna connectors for improved coverage and aesthetically pleasing installation options. The UL2043 rating of the Cisco Aironet 1250 Series allows the access points to be placed above the ceiling tile in plenum areas regulated by municipal fire codes or suspended from drop ceilings.