External Antenna Options and Patterns
Installations Using a Common or Distributed Antenna System (DAS)
Due to the dual-band nature of the antenna system on the AP 2600 and AP 3600, along with key features such as ClientLink 2.0 beamforming, it is not recommended for deployments on Distributed Antenna Systems commonly referred to as DAS.
Customers wishing to integrate a Wi-Fi over DAS solution should understand that Cisco does not certify, endorse or provide RF support for Wi-Fi deployments over ANY Distributed Antenna System.
The DAS vendor and/or systems integrator is solely responsible for the support of the DAS products and for providing adequate RF coverage and supporting any RF-related issues. This support includes, but is not exclusive to location accuracy, RF coverage, roaming issues related to RF, multipath issues, and scalability.
Additionally, the DAS vendor and/or systems integrator is responsible for understanding that the deployed DAS system meets the requirements of all of the customer's Wi-Fi devices and applications over the DAS system; this statement includes, but is not exclusive to, all Voice over WLAN (VoWLAN) and medical devices.
While Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) and Cisco field teams do not provide support for RF issues that arise in a Cisco WLAN used over a DAS, they will provide support for non-RF related issues in Cisco products per the customer's support agreement with Cisco Systems.
For more on this see the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/wireless/ps5678/ps6973/positioning_statement_c07-5654 70_ps10092_Products_Data_Sheet.html
Installations Inside and Around Elevators
Elevator coverage can sometimes be accomplished by placing APs in the near field of the elevator, typically on each floor near the elevator door. Since elevators often have metal doors and the shafts are often concrete or contain other materials that degrade Wi-Fi coverage, it is important to check the coverage inside the elevator. While such coverage can be challenging it is often do-able, especially if the elevator is only a few floors.
High rise elevators are more challenging since roaming issues are problematic as the client is cycling through a large number of APs rather quickly. Some companies that do in-elevator advertising have put a patch antenna on the floor inside the shaft and a patch antenna on the bottom of the elevator car, while other companies have used leaky coaxial cable running on the side of the shaft.
When installing any Wi-Fi equipment inside the elevator cars or shafts, local regulations need to be followed as many times such installations are prohibited either for safety reasons or because the building owner or local fire department may prohibit same. Also, it is dangerous and only elevator repair persons or contractors experienced with this kind of work should be in those areas.
External Antenna Options and Patterns
For use with AP 1600/2600 and 3600e Access Points
The following antennas are available for use with the AP 1600e*/2600e and 3600e
AIR-ANT2524DB-R – Dual-band (Black) dipole | (4 required) – 2/4 dBi Dipole |
Cisco Aironet Series 1600/2600/3600 Access Point Deployment Guide, Release 7.5
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