First Published: June 02, 2016
Last Updated: October 01, 2018
Cisco Systems, Inc.www.cisco.com
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Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points
1About this Guide
2About the Access Point
3Safety Instructions
4Unpacking
5AP Views, Ports, and Connectors
6Preparing the AP for Installation
7Installation Overview
8Performing a Pre-Installation Configuration
9Mounting and Grounding the Access Point
10 Powering the Access Point
11 Configuring and Deploying the Access Point
12 Checking the Access Point LEDs
13 Miscellaneous Usage and Configuration Guidelines
15 Related Documentation
16 Declarations of Conformity and Regulatory Information
Communications, Services, and Additional Information
Cisco Bug Search Tool
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Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points
1 About this Guide
This guide provides instructions on how to install your Cisco Aironet 3800I and 3800E series access points and provides
links to resources which can help you configure the access point. This guide provides mounting instructions and limited
troubleshooting procedures.
The 3800 series access point is referred to as access point or AP in this document.
2 About the Access Point
The Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Wi-Fi access points provide 802.11ac Wave 2 with Multi User MIMO (MU MIMO). This AP
series offers integrated and external antenna options, with a dedicated 5 GHz radio and a flexible radio that can be
configured as a 2.4 GHz radio (default) or as an additional 5 GHz radio. This access point supports a greater overall High
Density Experience (HDX) which provides mission-critical wireless to meet your performance needs. The access points
support full interoperability with leading 802.11ac clients, and support a mixed deployment with other access points and
controllers.
A full listing of the access point's features and specification are provided in the Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Point
Data Sheet, at the following URL:
spectrum intelligence across 20-, 40-, and 80-, and 160-MHz-wide channels to combat performance problems
arising from wireless interference.
MIMO equalization capabilities, which optimize uplink performance and reliability by reducing the impact of signal
fade.
The AP supports the following operating modes:
Local—This is the default mode for the Cisco AP. In this mode, the AP does not serve clients.
Flexconnect—Flexconnect mode for the Cisco AP.
Monitor—This is the monitor-only mode for the Cisco AP.
SE-connect—Spectrum expert-only connect mode allows the AP to perform spectrum intelligence.
Sensor—Sensor mode for the Cisco AP.
Sniffer—In the wireless sniffer mode, the AP starts sniffing the air on a given channel. It captures and forwards all the
packets from the clients on that channel to a remote machine that runs Airopeek or Wireshark (packet analyzers for
IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs). This includes information on the time stamp, signal strength, packet size, etc.
NoteIn the sniffer mode, the server to which the data is sent should be on the same VLAN as the wireless
controller management VLAN otherwise an error will be displayed.
AP Model Numbers and Regulatory Domains
AP TypeModel NumberDetails
Access Point for indoor
environments, with internal
antennas
Access Point for indoor
environments, with external
antennas
AIR-AP3802I-x-K9 Dual-band, controller-based
802.11a/g/n/ac
AIR-AP3802E-x-K9
AIR-AP3802P-x-K9
You need to verify whether the AP model you have is approved for use in your country. To verify approval and to identify
the regulatory domain that corresponds to a particular country, visit http://www.cisco.com/go/aironet/compliance. Not
all regulatory domains have been approved. As and when they are approved, this compliance list will be updated.
Antennas and Radios
The 3800 series access point contains a dedicated 5 GHz radio and a flexible radio that can be configured as a 2.4 GHz
radio (default) or as an additional 5 GHz radio. The 3800 series access point configurations are:
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Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points
AIR-CAP3802I-x-K9—One 2.4 GHz/5 GHz flexible radio and one 5 GHz radio.
AIR-AP3802E-x-K9, AIR-AP3802P-x-K9—One 2.4 GHz/5 GHz flexible radio and one 5 GHz radio. The are 4
dual-band dipole and a Smart antenna connector.
Internal Antennas
The 3802I has 12 cross polarized internal antennas.
External Antennas
The 3802E and P models are configured with up to four external dual-band dipole antennas, and two 2.4 GHz/ 5 GHz
dual-band radios. The radio and antennas support frequency bands 2400–2500 MHz and 5180–5865 MHz through a
common dual-band RF interface. Features of the external dual-band dipole antennas are:
Four RTNC antenna connectors on the top of the access point
Four TX/RX antennas
Smart Antenna connector for connecting an external antenna.
Supported External Antennas
Part NumberDescriptionGain
AIR-ANT2524DB-R/=Dipole Antenna, Black, with RP-TNC connectors.2 dBi (2.4 GHz)
4 dBi (5 GHz)
AIR-ANT2524DG-R/=Dipole Antenna, Gray, with RP-TNC connectors.2 dBi (2.4 GHz)
4 dBi (5 GHz)
AIR-ANT2524DW-R/=Dipole Antenna, White, with RP-TNC connectors.2 dBi (2.4 GHz)
AIR-ANT2566P4W-R=Directional Antenna, 4-port, with RP-TNC
connectors.
AIR-ANT2524V4C-R=Ceiling Mount Omni Antenna, 4-port, with RP-TNC
connectors.
AIR-ANT2544V4M-R=Wall Mount Omni Antenna, 4-port, with RP-TNC
connectors.
AIR-ANT2566D4M-R=60 Degree Patch Antenna, 4-port, with RP-TNC
connectors.
AIR-ANT2513P4M-N=Patch Antenna, 4-port, with N-type connectors.
1
6 dBi (2.4 GHz)
6 dBi (5 GHz)
2 dBi (2.4 GHz)
4 dBi (5 GHz)
4 dBi (2.4 GHz)
4 dBi (5 GHz)
6 dBi (2.4 GHz)
6 dBi (5 GHz)
13 dBi (2.4 GHz)
Supported only on the 3802P model.
1. For the USA, the UNII-1 channels can be used only indoors.
Cisco also provides the following external antenna accessories:
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13 dBi (5 GHz)
Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points
5 ft Low Loss RF cable with RP-TNC and N-type Connectors (AIR-CAB005LL-R-N/=). You will need four of these.
2 ft Smart Antenna Connector to RP-TNC Connectors (AIR-CAB002-DART-R=).
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Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points
3 Safety Instructions
Translated versions of the following safety warnings are provided in the translated safety warnings document that is
shipped with your access point. The translated warnings are also in the Translated Safety Warnings for Cisco Aironet Access Points, which is available on Cisco.com.
Warning
Warning
Warning
Warning
Warning
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
This warning symbol means danger. You are in a situation that could cause bodily injury. Before you
work on any equipment, be aware of the hazards involved with electrical circuitry and be familiar with
standard practices for preventing accidents. Use the statement number provided at the end of each
warning to locate its translation in the translated safety warnings that accompanied this device.
Statement 1071
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Read the installation instructions before you connect the system to its power source.
Installation of the equipment must comply with local and national electrical codes.
This product relies on the building’s installation for short-circuit (overcurrent) protection. Ensure that
the protective device is rated not greater than:
20A.
Statement 1005
Do not operate your wireless network device near unshielded blasting caps or in an explosive
environment unless the device has been modified to be especially qualified for such use.
Statement 1004
Statement 1074
Statement 245B
Warning
CautionThe fasteners you use to mount an access point on a ceiling must be capable of maintaining a minimum
CautionThis product and all interconnected equipment must be installed indoors within the same building,
In order to comply with FCC radio frequency (RF) exposure limits, antennas should be located at a
minimum of 12 inches (30 cm) or more from the body of all persons.
Statement 332
pullout force of 20 lbs (9 kg) and must use all 4 indented holes on the mounting bracket.
including the associated LAN connections as defined by Environment A of the IEEE 802.af Standard.
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Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points
NoteThe access point is suitable for use in environmental air space in accordance with section 300.22.C of the
National Electrical Code and sections 2-128, 12-010(3), and 12-100 of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part
1, C22.1. You should not install the power supply or power injector in air handling spaces.
NoteUse only with listed ITE equipment.
4 Unpacking
To unpack the access point, follow these steps:
Step 1Unpack and remove the access point and the accessory kit from the shipping box.
Step 2Return any packing material to the shipping container and save it for future use.
Step 3Verify that you have received the items listed below. If any item is missing or damaged, contact your Cisco
representative or reseller for instructions.
—The access point
—Mounting bracket (selected when you ordered the access point)
—Adjustable ceiling-rail clip (selected when you ordered the access point)
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Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points
5 AP Views, Ports, and Connectors
Figure 1Face of the 3802I Model
2
1
Status LED
1
Location of the ports and connectors on the
2
head of the AP
354563
3
Location of the module connector port on
3
the base of the AP
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Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points
Figure 2Face of the 3802E and 3802P Models
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1
7
4
Dual-band antenna connector A
1
Dual-band antenna connector B
2
Dual-band antenna connector C
3
2
5
3
354562
8
Status LED
5
Location of the ports and connectors on the
6
head of the AP
Location of the Smart antenna connector port
7
on the right side of the AP
Dual-band antenna connector D
4
The ports and connections on the bottom of the access point are shown in Figure 3.
Location of the module connector port on the
8
base of the AP
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Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points
354561
Figure 3Ports and Connections on the Head of the AP
1234567
Kensington lock slot
1
Mode button
2
Console port
3
USB port
4
Figure 4AP Module Connector Port on the Base
AUX / Gigabit Ethernet port
5
PoE / mGig port
6
48 VDC power port
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354564
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Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points
354568
Figure 5Smart Antenna Connector on the Right Side of the 3802E and P Models
For more information on the Smart antenna connector, see the “What is a Smart Antenna connector?” section on
page 25.
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Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points
6 Preparing the AP for Installation
Before you mount and deploy your access point, we recommend that you perform a site survey (or use the site planning
tool) to determine the best location to install your access point.
You should have the following information about your wireless network available:
Access point locations.
Access point mounting options: below a suspended ceiling, on a flat horizontal surface, or on a desktop.
NoteYou can mount the access point above a suspended ceiling but you must purchase additional mounting
hardware: See “Mounting and Grounding the Access Point” section on page 16 for additional information.
Access point power options: power supplied by the recommended external power supply (Cisco AIR-PWR-C), a DC
power supply, PoE from a network device, or a PoE power injector/hub (usually located in a wiring closet).
NoteAccess points mounted in a building’s environmental airspace must be powered using PoE to comply with
safety regulations.
Cisco recommends that you make a site map showing access point locations so that you can record the device MAC
addresses from each location and return them to the person who is planning or managing your wireless network.
7 Installation Overview
Installing the access point involves these operations:
Step 18Performing a Pre-Installation Configuration, page 13 (optional)
Step 29Mounting and Grounding the Access Point, page 16
Step 310Powering the Access Point, page 18
Step 46Preparing the AP for Installation, page 13
8 Performing a Pre-Installation Configuration
The following procedures ensure that your access point installation and initial operation go as expected. This procedure
is optional.
NotePerforming a pre-installation configuration is an optional procedure. If your network controller is properly
configured, you can install your access point in its final location and connect it to the network from there.
See the “Deploying the Access Point on the Wireless Network” section on page 19 for details.
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Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points
Controller
Layer 3
devices
Cisco Aironet
access points
354066
Link AggregationLink Aggregation
The following Pre-Installation Configuration procedure given does not include configuring Link Aggregation. For
information on configuring Link Aggregation, see the Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Configuration Guide, Release 8.2, at
this URL: