Modular Design for
Customer-Specific Functionality and Upgrade Capability for Investment
Protection
The
Cisco Aironet 1200 Series protects current and future network infrastructure
investments. Compliant with IEEE 802.11a and 802.11b standards, the modular
design of the Cisco Aironet 1200 Series allows for both single- and dual-band
configuration plus field upgradability to modify these configurations as your
requirements and technology evolve. The 802.11a radio supports data rates of up to
54 Mbps and eight non-overlapping channels that offer high performance as well
as maximum capacity and scalability. The 802.11b radio provides data rates up to
11 Mbps and three non-overlapping channels to support widely deployed 802.11b
clients. The Mini-PCI form factor of the 802.11b radio allows for upgrade
to higher-speed 2.4 GHz technologies such as the draft IEEE 802.11g standard.
Figure 1 Configure the Cisco Aironet 1200 to support 802.11b,
802.11a, or both technologies in a single device. Legacy, current, and future
clients can roam between access points while maintaining reliable and
uninterrupted access to all network resources.
Intelligent Networking
Features for a Scalable, Manageable Solution
The
Cisco Aironet 1200 Series extends end-to-end intelligent networking to the
wireless access point. Cisco command-line interface (CLI) allows customers to
quickly and consistently implement the extended capabilities available in Cisco
IOS Software. Customers can manage and standardize their networks using tools
they have developed internally for their Cisco routers and switches.
An
ideal choice for enterprise installations, the Cisco Aironet 1200 Series
supports enterprise-class virtual LANs (VLANs), quality of service (QoS) and
proxy mobile Internet Protocol (IP). The Cisco Aironet 1200 Series can manage up
to 16 VLANs in single-mode and 32 VLANs in dual-mode operation (Figure 2), which
allows customers to differentiate LAN policies and services, such as security
and QoS, for different users. For example, enterprise customers can use
different VLANs to segregate employee traffic from guest traffic, and further
segregate those traffic groups from high-priority voice traffic. Traffic to and
from wireless clients with varying security capabilities can be segregated into
VLANs with varying security policies. For example, VLANs allow educational
institutions to secure faculty and administrator traffic from student traffic
traveling over the same infrastructure. Implementing VLAN segmentation increases
wireless LAN manageability and security.
Figure 2 Indoor Wireless VLAN Deployment
With
support for 802.1p QoS, the Cisco Aironet 1200 Series provides traffic
prioritization for packets traveling to and from the access point over Ethernet.
Delay-sensitive traffic, such as voice and video, can be prioritized over data
traffic for improved user experience and optimal network utilization. Software
and radio firmware upgrades provide the capability to upgrade to future QoS
standards such as 802.11e. Supporting the voice prioritization schemes for
802.11b mobile phones, the Aironet 1200 Series further enables quality
voice-over-wireless-LAN solutions.
With
proxy mobile IP, users can maintain seamless network connectivity as they roam
across subnets. The proxy mobile IP feature creates a tunnel between routers on
the remote network and the user's home network. This allows users to
consistently maintain their home IP address and access to their home network
applications as they roam beyond their home subnet. Proxy mobile IP also
enhances a mobile IP-enabled network by enabling subnet roaming capabilities on
IEEE 802.11 clients so that these devices do not need specialized mobile IP
client software. Because specialized mobile IP client software does not need to
be purchased or installed, additional cost-savings are realized. These proxy
mobile IP features enable IT professionals to use their existing IP addressing
scheme to cost-effectively architect the wireless LAN in a manner more
consistent with the wired LAN, while still maintaining user mobility.
Cisco Structured
Wireless-Aware Network
The
Cisco Aironet 1200 Series is a key component of the Cisco Structured
Wireless-Aware Network. The Cisco Structured Wireless-Aware Network is an
innovative, comprehensive Cisco framework for deploying, operating and managing
hundreds to thousands of Cisco Aironet access points using the Cisco
infrastructure. The Cisco Structured Wireless-Aware Network extends to the
wireless LAN the same level of security, scalability, and reliability that
customers have come to expect in their wired LAN by introducing
"wireless-aware" capabilities into the Cisco infrastructure.
Wireless
domain services (WDS) is introduced with the Cisco Structured Wireless-Aware
Network. WDS is a collection of Cisco IOS Software features that enhance WLAN
client mobility and simplify WLAN deployment and management. These services,
supported on access points and client devices today and on specific Cisco LAN
switches and routers in 2004, include fast secure roaming and IEEE 802.1X local
authentication.
Fast
secure roaming is supported by the Cisco Aironet 1200 Series in conjunction with
Cisco or Cisco Compatible client devices. With fast secure roaming,
authenticated client devices can roam securely from one access point to another
without any perceptible delay during reassociation. Fast secure roaming supports
latency-sensitive applications such as wireless voice over IP (VoIP), enterprise
resource planning (ERP), or Citrix-based solutions. (Figure 3).
Figure 3 Fast Secure Roaming
IEEE
802.1X local authentication service allows the access point to act as a local
Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) server to authenticate
wireless clients when the authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA)
server is not available. This provides remote site survivability and backup
authentication services during a WAN link or server failure allowing users in
remote site deployments with nonredundant WAN links access to local resources
such as file servers or printers. (Figure 4).
Figure 4 IEEE 802.1X Local Authentication Service
Enterprise-Class Security
Solution
Wireless
LAN security is a primary concern. The Cisco Aironet 1200 Series secures the
enterprise network with a scalable and manageable system featuring the
award-winning Cisco Wireless Security Suite. Based on the 802.1X standard for
port-based network access, the Cisco Wireless Security Suite takes advantage of
the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) framework for user-based
authentication (Figure 5). This solution also supports Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
the new Wi-Fi Alliance specification for interoperable, standards-based wireless
LAN security.
The
Cisco Wireless Security Suite interoperates with a range of client devices. It
supports all 802.1X authentication types, including Cisco LEAP, Extensible
Authentication Protocol-Transport Layer Security (EAP-TLS) and types that
operate over EAP-TLS, such as Protected Extensible Authentication
Protocol (PEAP), EAP-Tunneled TLS (EAP-TTLS) and EAP-Subscriber Identity Module (EAP-SIM).
A wide selection of RADIUS servers, such as the Cisco Secure Access Control
Server (ACS), can be used for enterprise-class centralized user management
that includes:
- Strong, mutual
authentication to ensure that only legitimate clients associate with
legitimate and authorized network RADIUS servers
- Dynamic per-user,
per-session encryption keys that automatically change on a configurable
basis to protect the privacy of transmitted data
- Stronger WEP keys
provided by Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) enhancements such as
message integrity check (MIC), per-packet keys via initialization
vector hashing, and broadcast key rotation
- RADIUS accounting
records for all authentication attempts
Figure 5 The Cisco Wireless Security Suite is an Enterprise-Class
Security System Based on the 802.1X Architecture
Investment Protection for
Future-Proof Networks
With
large storage capacity and support for Cisco management tools, the Cisco Aironet
1200 Series provides the capacity and the means to upgrade firmware and
deliver new features as they become available. It features more than four times
the amount of storage required by the initial firmware load and the tools
for IS professionals to centrally and automatically upgrade firmware on often
remote access points across the enterprise. For additional investment
protection, the Cisco Aironet 1200 Series comes complete with an integrated
mounting system that secures the device using the customer's choice of laptop
security cables or standard padlocks (Figure 6). The reliability of the 2.4 GHz
solution also makes the Cisco Aironet 1200 Series a wise investment. It provides
field-proven reliability, featuring a Cisco Aironet fourth-generation 802.11b
radio. The 5 GHz radio maximizes capacity and performance, delivering up to 54
Mbps data rates on all eight available channels and allowing the wireless
network to scale to accommodate a large number of users. With the Cisco Aironet
1200 Series, a single access point can add capacity to support new users by
simultaneously operating one radio for high-speed 802.11a networked clients
while maintaining another radio for 802.11b clients. The redundant hot-standby
feature also aids in the overall reliability of the network by providing a
backup access point in the rare case of a failure.
Figure 6 Cisco Aironet 1200 Series Mounting Bracket
Installation Options
Increase Flexibility
As
the popularity of wireless LANs increases, enterprises are installing access
points in a growing variety of facilities, locations, and orientations. The
Cisco Aironet 1200 Series is designed with this in mind. The cast aluminum-cased
device with its broad operating temperature range provides the ruggedness
required in factories and warehouse installations while still meeting the
aesthetic requirements of the enterprise. Support for both inline power over
Ethernet, as well as local power, maximizes powering options. The access
point and integrated mounting system are designed for installation on walls,
below ceilings, and, with its plenum ratable metal case, above suspended
ceilings. Both 802.11a and 802.11b radios provide a variety of transmit power
settings to adjust coverage area size. This, coupled with the broadest selection
of 2.4 GHz and integrated 5 GHz antennas in the industry, provides users with
unparalleled flexibility in cell size and coverage patterns.
Unique 802.11a 5 GHz Antenna
Design for Optimal Coverage
To
extend the flexibility of deployments, the 802.11a radio module incorporates an
articulating antenna paddle that contains both omni directional and patch
antennas (Figure 7). For ceiling, desktop, or other horizontal installations,
the omni directional antenna provides optimal coverage pattern and maximum
range. For wall mount installations, the patch antenna provides a hemispherical
coverage pattern that uniformly directs the radio energy from the wall and
across the room (Figure 8). Both the omni directional and patch antennas provide
diversity for maximum reliability even in high multipath environments such as
offices and other indoor environments. Cisco provides this level of 5 GHz
antenna flexibility and reliability to suit all installation scenarios.
Figure 7 The design of the 802.11a radio module features an
integrated omni directional and patch antenna.
Figure 8 Cisco's innovative antenna module provides two distinct
coverage patterns to address different access point installation orientations.
Integrated Management Tools
for Rapid Configuration
The
Cisco Aironet 1200 Series simplifies wireless LAN management because many of the
same management tools and capabilities available in wired networks are used on
the wireless network (Figure 9). The 1200 Series supports network management
through Cisco IOS Software CLI, which is familiar to IT professionals and makes
use of their existing skills. It also supports Simple Network Management
Protocol (SNMP), Telnet, and a Web browser to aid in troubleshooting,
monitoring, software download, and event logging.
Figure 9 The access point management system Express Setup screen
provides all the settings required for basic configuration of the access point.
Advanced Management of Large
Scale Wireless LAN Deployments
The
CiscoWorks Wireless LAN Solution Engine (WLSE), a component of the Cisco
Structured Wireless-Aware Network, is available as a management tool for Cisco
Aironet access points and wireless bridges. CiscoWorks WLSE is a turnkey,
scalable and centralized management platform for managing hundreds to thousands
of Cisco Aironet access points and wireless bridges. Read more about CiscoWorks
WLSE at: http://www.cisco.com/go/wlse
Table
1 provides product features and benefits, Table 2 provides product
specifications, and Table 3 provides product system requirements for the Cisco
Aironet 1200 Series.
Table 1 Product
Features and Benefits
| Feature |
Benefit
|
| Modular platform for single
or dual band operation |
The
access point can be configured for either 802.11b only,
802.11a only, or for simultaneous support of 802.11b and
802.11a to provide the maximum number of channels and maximum
available data rates in a single device.
|
| Field upgradable radios |
Flexibility
and investment protection is provided through field-upgradable
card bus and mini-PCI radios. CardBus-based 802.11a modules
can easily be fitted into installed Cisco Aironet 1200 Series
access points.
|
| 5 GHz integrated antennas |
Unique
articulating antenna paddle incorporates high-gain omni
directional and hemispherical patch antennas to deliver two
distinct coverage patterns.
|
| 2.4- and 5 GHz Diversity
Antennas |
Diversity
antennas for both the 2.4- and 5 GHz radios ensures optimum
performance in high-multipath environments such as offices,
warehouses, and other indoor installations.
|
| Cisco IOS Software |
Provides
end-to-end solution support for Intelligent Network Services.
Produces predictable and consistent network behavior with
uniform applications and services.
|
| Virtual LAN (VLAN) support |
Allows
segmentation of up to 16 user groups creating increased system
flexibility by allowing differentiation of LAN policies and
services, such as security and QoS, for different users.
|
| Quality of Service (QoS)
support |
Prioritization
of traffic for different application requirements to improve
the voice and video user-experience.
|
| Proxy Mobile IP |
Provides
seamless roaming between subnets and enhances mobility of
voice over 802.11 wireless.
|
| Cisco Structured
Wireless-Aware Network (SWAN) |
A
comprehensive Cisco framework for deploying, operating and
managing hundreds to thousands of Cisco Aironet access points
using the Cisco infrastructure. This framework extends to the
wireless LAN the same level of security, scalability, and
reliability that customers have come to expect in their wired
LAN by introducing "wireless-aware" capabilities
into the Cisco infrastructure.
|
| Wireless Domain Services (WDS) |
A
component of the Cisco Structured Wireless-Aware Network, WDS
is a collection of Cisco IOS Software features that enhance
WLAN client mobility and simplify WLAN deployment and
management. WDS includes fast secure roaming and IEEE 802.1X
local authentication.
|
| Fast Secure Roaming |
Allows
authenticated client devices to roam securely from one access
point to another without any perceptible delay during
reassociation. Provides support for latency-sensitive
applications such as VoIP, ERP and Citrix.
|
| IEEE 802.1X Local
Authentication Service |
Allows
the access point to act as a local RADIUS server to
authenticate wireless clients when the AAA server is not
available. Provides remote site survivability and backup
authentication services during WAN link or server failure.
|
| Two reverse-polarity threaded
naval connectors (RP-TNC) for external 2.4 GHz antenna
connection |
Diversity
support for the 2.4 GHz radio to improve reliability in high-multipath
environments. The RP-TNC connectors are compatible with the
Cisco Aironet optional antennas, enabling WLAN architects
to customize radio coverage for specific deployment scenarios.
|
| Eight Mbytes Flash memory |
Provides
memory space for future firmware upgrades and supports new
802.11 standards and advanced features.
|
| Support for Cisco Discovery
Protocol and Software Image Manager (SWIM) within CiscoWorks
Resource Essentials (RME) |
Allows
centralized and automatic firmware upgrades on remote access
points across the enterprise.
|
| Standard 802.11b radio with
100-mW maximum transmit power and 85-dBm receive sensitivity
at 11 Mbps data rate |
2.4
GHz radio offers superior radio performance that results in
industry-leading range. The greater the range of the
access point, the fewer access points needed, resulting in
lower total system cost.
|
| 802.11a radio module provides
40-mW maximum transmit power for UNII 1 and UNII2 bands and
-68 dBm (typical) receive sensitivity at 54 Mbps data rate |
Superior
5 GHz radio design provides industry-leading performance and
receive sensitivity and maximum capacity through eight
non-overlapping channels in the UNII1 and UNII 2 bands.
|
| Support for both line power
over Ethernet and local power (see Figures 10, 11, and 12) |
To
decrease the cost and complexity of installation, the Cisco
Aironet 1200 Series can be powered over an Ethernet
cable, eliminating the need to run expensive AC power to
remote access-point installation locations. Depending upon
radio configuration, the Cisco 1200 Series can be powered via
Cisco line-power-enabled switches, multiport midspan power
panels, or single-port power injectors. In instances where AC
power is available at the installation location, the power
supply for the Cisco Aironet 1200 Series can be plugged into
an electrical outlet.
|
| Aesthetically pleasing cast
aluminum case, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2043
certification, and extended operating temperature (-20 to 55єC
or -4 to 131єF) |
The
product design meets the aesthetic requirements of the
enterprise and the rugged features support deployment in
factories, warehouses, and the outdoors (in a NEMA enclosure).
The broad operating temperature range and UL 2043
certification for plenum rating requirements set by local fire
codes supports installation in environmental air spaces
such as areas above suspended ceilings.
|
| Multipurpose mounting bracket |
Flexibility
of the multipurpose mounting bracket gives numerous deployment
options for site-specific requirements.
|
| Two separate locking
mechanisms for the access point and radio |
Theft
deterrence has become a requirement as wireless LANs
proliferate into public areas. Additional investment
protection is provided with built-in locking mechanisms.
|
|
Figure 10 With the 802.11a, or with both the 802.11a and 802.11b
radios installed, the Cisco Aironet 1200 Series can be powered over Ethernet
with the optional inline power injector or the Cisco Catalyst® 3550 Series
Switch
.
Figure 11 With only the 802.11b radio installed, the Cisco
Aironet 1200 can use a Cisco Catalyst 3550-24 PWR switch, Catalyst 3524-PWR
XL switch, or Catalyst 4500 or 6500 Series switch with inline power for its
power over Ethernet
.
Figure 12 With only the 802.11b radio installed, a Cisco Catalyst
Inline Power Patch Panel can be used to power the access point over Ethernet.
Table 2 Product Specifications
| |
With
802.11a radio installed |
With
802.11b radio installed |
With both
802.11a and 802.11b radio installed |
| Part number |
Configurable:
- Cisco
IOS Software: AIR-AP1210 and AIR-RM20A-x-K9
- VxWorks
Software: AIR-AP1200 and AIR-RM20A-x-K9
Pre-Configured:
- Cisco
IOS Software: AIR-AP1230A-x-K9
- VxWorks
Software: AIR-AP1220A-x-K9
Regulatory
Domains:
(x=Regulatory
Domain)
- A=Americas,
parts of Asia and Europe
- S=Singapore
- T=Taiwan
- J=TELEC
(Japan)
Customers
are responsible for verifying approval for use in their
country. Please see http://www.cisco.com/go/aironet/
compliance to verify approval and to identify the regulatory
domain that corresponds to a particular country. Not all
regulatory domains have been approved. As they are approved,
the part numbers will be available on the Global Price List.
|
Configurable:
- Cisco
IOS Software: AIR-AP1210 and AIR-MP20B-x-K9
- VxWorks
Software: AIR-AP1200 and AIR-MP20B-x-K9
Pre-Configured:
- Cisco
IOS Software: AIR-AP1230B-x-K9
- VxWorks
Software: AIR-AP1220B-x-K9
Regulatory
Domains:
(x=Regulatory
Domain)
- A=Americas,
parts of Asia and Europe
- E=ETSI
- I=Israel
- J=
TELEC (Japan)
Customers
are responsible for verifying approval for use in their
country. Please see http://
www.cisco.com/go/aironet/compliance to verify approval and to
identify the regulatory domain that corresponds to a
particular country. Not all regulatory domains have been
approved. As they are approved, the part numbers will be
available on the Global Price List.
|
Configurable:
- Cisco
IOS Software: AIR-AP1210, AIR-RM20A-x-K9 and
AIR-MP20B-x-K9
- VxWorks
Software: AIR-AP1200, AIR-RM20A-x-K9 and AIR-MP20B-x-K9
Pre-Configured:
- Cisco
IOS Software: AIR-AP1230B-x-K9 and AIR-RM20A-x-K9
- VxWorks
Software: AIR-AP1220B-x-K9 and AIR-RM20A-x-K9
Regulatory
Domains:
(x=Regulatory
Domain)
- A=Americas,
parts of Asia and Europe
- E=ETSI
- I=Israel
- J=
TELEC (Japan)
- S=Singapore
- T=Taiwan
Customers
are responsible for verifying approval for use in their
country. Please see http://
www.cisco.com/go/aironet/compliance to verify approval and to
identify the regulatory domain that corresponds to a
particular country. Not all regulatory domains have been
approved. As they are approved, the part numbers will be
available on the Global Price List.
|
| Radio module form factor |
|
|
- 802.11a:
CardBus (32-bit)
- 802.11b:
Mini-PCI (32-bit)
|
| Data rates supported |
- 6, 9,
12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 Mbps
|
|
- 802.11a:
6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 Mbps
- 802.11b:
1, 2, 5.5, and 11 Mbps
|
| Network standard |
|
|
- IEEE
802.11a
- IEEE
802.11b
|
| Uplink |
- Autosensing
802.3 10/100BASE-T Ethernet
|
- Autosensing
802.3 10/100BASE-T Ethernet
|
- Autosensing
802.3 10/100BASE-T Ethernet
|
| Frequency band |
- 5.15
to 5.35 GHz (FCC UNII 1 and UNII 2)
- 5.15
to 5.25 GHz (TELEC)
- 5.15
to 5.25 GHz (Singapore)
- 5.25
to 5.35 GHz (Taiwan)
|
- 2.412
to 2.462 GHz (FCC)
- 2.412
to 2.472 GHz (ETSI)
- 2.412
to 2.484 GHz (TELEC)
- 2.412
to 2.462 GHz (MII)
- 2.422
to 2.452 GHz (Israel)
|
- 5.15
to 5.35 GHz (FCC UNII 1 and UNII 2)
- 5.15
to 5.25 GHz (TELEC)
- 5.15
to 5.25 GHz (Singapore)
- 5.25
to 5.35 GHz (Taiwan)
- 2.412
to 2.462 GHz (FCC)
- 2.412
to 2.472 GHz (ETSI)
- 2.412
to 2.484 GHz (TELEC)
- 2.412
to 2.462 GHz (MII)
- 2.422
to 2.452 GHz (Israel)
|
| Network architecture type |
- Infrastructure,
star topology
|
- Infrastructure,
star topology
|
- Infrastructure,
star topology
|
| Wireless medium |
- Orthogonal
Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)
|
- Direct
sequence spread spectrum (DSSS)
|
- 802.11a:
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)
- 802.11b:
Direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS)
|
| Media Access Protocol |
- Carrier
sense multiple access with collision avoidance
(CSMA/CA)
|
- Carrier
sense multiple access with collision avoidance
(CSMA/CA)
|
- Carrier
sense multiple access with collision avoidance
(CSMA/CA)
|
| Modulation |
- (OFDM
subcarrier)
- BPSK @
6 and 9 Mbps
- QPSK @
12 and 18 Mbps
- 16-QAM
@ 24 and 36 Mbps
- 64-QAM
@ 48 and 54 Mbps
|
- DBPSK
@ 1 Mbps
- DQPSK
@ 2 Mbps
- CCK @
5.5 and 11 Mbps
|
OFDM:
- BPSK @
6 and 9 Mbps
- QPSK @
12 and 18 Mbps
- 16-QAM
@ 24 and 36 Mbps
- 64-QAM
@ 48 and 54 Mbps
DSSS:
- DBPSK
@ 1 Mbps
- DQPSK
@ 2 Mbps
- CCK @
5.5 and 11 Mbps
|
| Operating channels |
- FCC: 8
- TELEC
(Japan): 4
- Singapore:
4
- Taiwan:
4
|
- ETSI:
13; Israel: 7; North America: 11; TELEC (Japan): 14; MII:
11
|
5
GHz Band:
- FCC: 8
- TELEC
(Japan): 4
- Singapore:
4
- Taiwan:
4
2.4
GHz Band:
- ETSI:
13; Israel: 7; North America: 11; TELEC (Japan): 14; MII:
11
|
| Nonoverlapping channels |
- Eight
(FCC only)
- Four
(Japan, Singapore, Taiwan)
|
|
|
|
|