Cisco Aironet 1300 Series Outdoor Access Point

The Cisco® Aironet® 1300 Series Outdoor Access Point or Bridge (Figure 1) is an 802.11g access point and bridge that provides high-speed and cost-effective wireless connectivity between multiple fixed or mobile networks and clients. Building a metropolitan-area wireless infrastructure with the Cisco Aironet 1300 Series provides deployment personnel with a flexible, easy-to-use solution that meets the security requirements of wide-area networking professionals. The Cisco Aironet 1300 Series can be deployed as an autonomous access point or bridge, providing intelligent network services as a standalone device. Alternatively, the Cisco Aironet 1300 Series can be deployed as part of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network, managed centrally by a Cisco wireless LAN controller.

The Cisco Aironet 1300 Series supports the 802.11g standard-providing 54-Mbps data rates with a proven, secure technology while maintaining full backward compatibility with legacy 802.11b devices. It is delivered in a compact, rugged enclosure for deployment in outdoor environments, and is available in two versions. The Cisco Aironet 1300 Series with integrated antenna can be quickly installed to provide a LAN bridge to a remote site or multiple sites. The 1300 Series with antenna connectors supports a variety of Cisco 2.4-GHz antennas, providing range and coverage versatility.

The Cisco Aironet 1300 Series is available either as part of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network or as an autonomous access point or bridge. The Cisco Unified Wireless Network is a comprehensive solution that delivers an integrated, end-to-end wired and wireless network. Using the radio and network management features of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network for simplified deployment, the Cisco Aironet 1300 Series extends the security, scalability, reliability, ease of deployment, and manageability available in wired networks to the wireless LAN. Unified access points operate with the Lightweight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP) and work in conjunction with Cisco wireless LAN controllers and the Wireless Control System (WCS). When configured with LWAPP, the Cisco Aironet 1300 Series can automatically detect the best-available Cisco wireless LAN controller and download appropriate policies and configuration information with no hands-on intervention.

Autonomous access points are based on Cisco IOS® Software and may optionally operate with the CiscoWorks Wireless LAN Solution Engine (WLSE). Autonomous access points, along with the WLSE, deliver a core set of features and may be field-upgraded to take advantage of the full benefits of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network as requirements evolve. As an autonomous access point or bridge, the Cisco Aironet 1300 Series may be configured to operate as a wireless access point, bridge, or a workgroup bridge.

Users and Applications

The Cisco Aironet 1300 Series can provide outdoor wireless access, an ongoing savings of leased-line expenses, a method to connect networks despite physical barriers such as lakes or highways, and rapid deployment of network connections-often while waiting on other facilities, such as fiber-optic installations. The types of organizations that will benefit from the advantages of the Cisco Aironet 1300 Series include education, enterprise, government, healthcare, military, public safety, transportation, and WLAN service providers. These organizations have a variety of possible applications, as shown in Figure 2 and described in the following paragraphs.

Campus Networks

Whether the deployment is in a typical college campus or corporate offices with multiple buildings, IT professionals are faced with interconnecting local area networks around and in between each of the buildings. These LANs require cost-effective, high-bandwidth connections with seamless mobility throughout the WLAN. They also require the flexibility and control that is unavailable through leased lines or that would otherwise require trenching for new cable installations. The Cisco Aironet 1300 Series can be used as an outdoor access point, either operating with the Cisco wireless LAN controller and WCS or autonomously as an intelligent access point. It can also be used as an autonomous wireless bridge to connect remote buildings to the LAN.
Nomadic Networks and Users.

Temporary Networks

The variety of temporary solutions is limitless, with applications such as remote military campaigns, short-term office leases, temporary buildings such as trailers, or even parking lot tent sales. These deployments require a temporary network infrastructure that is rugged, portable, easy to install, and flexible. The Cisco Aironet 1300 Series can be quickly deployed, with complete functionality packaged in the integrated antenna version, or with a selection of easy-to-install remote antennas for the connectorized version.

Campus Networks

Whether the deployment is in a typical college campus or corporate offices with multiple buildings, IT professionals are faced with interconnecting local area networks around and in between each of the buildings. These LANs require cost-effective, high-bandwidth connections with seamless mobility throughout the WLAN. They also require the flexibility and control that is unavailable through leased lines or that would otherwise require trenching for new cable installations. The Cisco Aironet 1300 Series can be used as an outdoor access point, either operating with the Cisco wireless LAN controller and WCS or autonomously as an intelligent access point. It can also be used as an autonomous wireless bridge to connect remote buildings to the LAN.

Nomadic Networks and Users

More and more, networks are "on the move." Vehicles such as buses, trains, ambulances, and patrol cars are being equipped with their own LAN-supported devices, including notebooks, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cameras, and scanners. These mobile networks provide new passenger services, improved public service, and operational efficiency but they need to be interconnected to enable information-sharing and more informed decision-making. The Cisco Aironet 1300 Series can operate in autonomous mode as a workgroup bridge connecting in-vehicle devices to Cisco Aironet access points and bridges that are fixed throughout the service area.

Outdoor Public Access

The proliferation of WLAN hotspots has allowed users to stay connected while in hotels, airports, and even coffee shops. As more users desire ubiquitous connectivity, outdoor hotspots are being added-and some include multiple city blocks or even town centers. These outdoor hotspots can be cost-effectively deployed with the Cisco Aironet 1300 Series unified or autonomous access points.