Data Sheet

Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points

The Cisco® Aironet® 3800 Series Wi-Fi access points are highly versatile and deliver
the most functionality of any access points in the industry.

Product Overview

For organizations paving the way for the new 802.11ac Wave 2 standard, the Cisco Aironet 3800 Series is the
perfect solution. The access points go beyond getting ready for the new standard, providing the ultimate in
flexibility and versatility.

For large enterprise organizations that rely on Wi-Fi to engage with customers, the 3800 Series is a hands-off
product that’s intelligent enough to make decisions based on end-device activities and usage. This automation
allows you to devote time to other pressing matters, secure in the knowledge that your Wi-Fi network is performing
to its utmost potential.

The Aironet 3800 Series is packed with the features and capabilities that have made Cisco the industry leader, at a
price point that is ideal for managing wireless growth, capacity, and coverage gaps in dense indoor environments.

Features and Benefits

Feature Benefit

802.11ac Wave 2 support Provides a theoretical connection rate of up to 2.6 Gbps per radio—roughly double the rates offered by today’s high-
end 802.11ac access points.
High-density experience Best-in-class RF architecture that provides high-performance coverage for a high density of client devices, giving the
end user a seamless wireless experience. Features include custom hardware in 802.11ac Wave 2 radios, Cisco
CleanAir®, Cisco ClientLink 4.0, cross-access point noise reduction, and an optimized client roaming experience.
Multiuser multiple-input Supporting three spatial streams, MU-MIMO enables access points to split spatial streams between client devices,
multiple-output (MU- to maximize throughput.
MIMO) technology
Multigigabit Ethernet Providing multiple gigabit uplink speeds of 2.5 Gbps and 5 Gbps in addition to 100-Mbps and 1-Gbps speeds. All
support speeds are supported on Category 5e cabling for an industry first, as well as 10GBASE-T cabling.
160-MHz channel support Supporting channels up to 160 MHz wide, Dynamic Bandwidth Selection allows the access point to dynamically
switch between 20-, 40-, 80-, and 160-MHz channels, depending on the RF channel conditions, providing the
industry’s best-performing wireless network.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 1 of 5
 Feature Benefit
Zero-impact Application Uses dedicated hardware acceleration to improve the performance of line-speed applications such as Cisco
Visibility and Control Application Visibility and Control.
Flexible Radio Allows the access points to intelligently determine the operating mode of serving radios based on the RF
Assignment environment. The access points can operate in the following modes:
● 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz mode: One radio serves clients in 2.4-GHz mode, while the other serves clients in 5-GHz
mode.
● Dual 5-GHz mode: Both radios inside the access point operate on the 5-GHz band, maximizing the benefits of
802.11ac Wave 2 and increasing client device capacity.
● Wireless Security Monitoring and 5-GHz mode: One radio serves 5-GHz clients while the other is scanning
the full spectrum for attackers, RF interference, and rogue devices.
● Wireless Service Assurance mode: One radio serves 5-GHz clients, while the other proactively monitors the
wireless network to help ensure the highest overall performance.
Dual 5-GHz radio support Enables both radios to operate in 5-GHz client serving mode, allowing an industry-leading 5.2 Gbps (2 x 2.6 Gbps)
over-the-air speed while increasing client capacity.
Smart antenna connector An intelligent second physical antenna connector is included on 3800 Series models with an external antenna. This
connector provides advanced network design flexibility for high-density and large open-area environments such as
auditoriums, convention centers, libraries, cafeteria, and arenas/stadiums, allowing two sets of antennas to be
connected and active on a single access point.

Automatic link 802.3ad (Link Aggregation Control Protocol [LACP]) compliant, allowing both Gigabit Ethernet interfaces to
aggregation (LAG) automatically enable LAG, increasing overall throughput to the access point.
support

Cisco ClientLink 4.0 Cisco ClientLink 4.0 technology improves downlink performance to all mobile devices, including one-, two-, and
three-spatial-stream devices on 802.11a/b/g/n/ac while improving battery life on mobile devices such as
smartphones and tablets.

Cisco CleanAir 160 MHz Cisco CleanAir technology, enhanced with 160-MHz channel support, provides proactive, high-speed spectrum
intelligence across 20-, 40-, 80-, and 160-MHz-wide channels to combat performance problems due to wireless
interference.

Cross-access point noise A Cisco innovation that enables access points to intelligently collaborate in real time about RF conditions so that
reduction users connect with optimized signal quality and performance.
Optimized access point Helps ensure that client devices associate with the access point in their coverage range that offers the fastest data
roaming rate available.

802.11ac Wave 2 and Beyond

The Aironet 3800 Series extends 802.11ac speed and features to a new generation of smartphones, tablets, and
high-performance laptops, providing a greater end-user experience. Whether your project involves wholesale
changes to your current wireless network or upgrading your legacy Wi-Fi deployments (802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wave 1
deployments), the Aironet 3800 Series can handle the job.

The Aironet 3800 Series supports 802.11ac Wave 2, providing a theoretical connection rate of up to 5.2 Gbps—
that’s roughly four times the rate offered by today’s high-end 802.11ac access points. The boost helps you stay
ahead of the performance and bandwidth expectations of today’s mobile worker, who usually uses multiple Wi-Fi
devices instead of just one. As such, users are adding proportionally larger traffic loads to the wireless LAN, which
has outpaced Ethernet as the default enterprise access network.

High-Density Experience
Building on the Cisco Aironet heritage of RF excellence, the Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points run on a
purpose-built, innovative chipset with a best-in-class RF architecture. This chipset provides a high-density
experience for enterprise networks designed for mission-critical, high-performance applications. The 3800 Series is
part of Cisco’s flagship portfolio of 802.11ac-enabled access points, delivering a robust mobility experience. It
features 802.11ac Wave 2 with 4x4 MU-MIMO technology supporting three spatial streams. MU-MIMO enables
access points to split spatial streams between client devices, to maximize throughput.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 2 of 5
 With two radios built into each access point, the Aironet 3800 Series is more versatile than any access point
currently on the market. These radios are outfitted with Flexible Radio Assignment, which means that the access
points automatically self-optimize to better serve the environment. For example, one of the radios broadcasts its
signal on the 5-GHz channel, and the other sends out a 2.4-GHz signal. When there is an increase in activity, the
access point understands this potential rise in usage and will automatically switch the 2.4-GHz signal to a 5-GHz
signal, increasing the reliability of users’ Wi-Fi use. This setting automatically works in reverse too, so when there
is a lull in Internet activity, the access point recognizes that the number of people using wireless devices has
dropped and changes back to its original configuration.

The 3800 Series also dynamically changes the radio settings based on the wireless environment. The access point
will allow one of the radios to operate in Wireless- Security Monitoring mode, allowing you to detect wireless
security threats and interference and combat rogue access. This valuable information can be culled in an easy-to-
understand matrix to inform you about your wireless users. Flexible Radio Assignment also allows you to convert a
radio into Wireless Service Assurance mode, providing proactive health monitoring of the network.

● Cross-access point noise reduction is a Cisco innovation that enables access points to intelligently
collaborate in real time about RF conditions so that users connect with optimized signal quality and
performance.
● Optimized access point roaming helps ensure that client devices associate with the access point in their
coverage range that offers the fastest data rate available.
● Cisco ClientLink 4.0 improves downlink performance to all mobile devices, including one-, two-, and three-
spatial-stream devices on 802.11a/b/g/n/ac. At the same time, the technology improves battery life on
mobile devices.
● Cisco CleanAir is technology enhanced with 160-MHz channel support. It delivers proactive, high-speed
spectrum intelligence across 20-, 40-, and 80-, and 160-MHz-wide channels to combat performance
problems due to wireless interference.
● MIMO equalization capabilities optimize uplink performance and reliability by reducing the impact of signal
fade.

Product Specifications
Item Specification
Part numbers Cisco Aironet 3800i Access Point: Indoor environments, with internal antennas
● AIR-AP3802I-x-K9: Dual-band, controller-based 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
● AIR-AP3802I-xK910: Eco-pack (dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac) 10 quantity access points

Cisco Aironet 3800e Access Point: Indoor, challenging environments, with external antennas
● AIR-AP3802e-x-K9: Dual-band controller-based 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
● AIR-AP3802e-xK910: Eco-pack (dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac), 10 quantity access points

Cisco Aironet 3800p Access Point: Indoor, challenging environments, with external antennas
● AIR-AP3802p-x-K9: Dual-band controller-based 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
● AIR-AP3802p-xK910: Eco-pack (dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac), 10 quantity access points

Cisco Smart Net Total Care™ for the Cisco Aironet 3800i Access Point with internal antennas
● CON-SNT-AIRPIBK9: SNTC-8X5XNBD 802.11ac Ctrlr AP 4x Duration: 12 Month(s)

Cisco Smart Net Total Care for the Cisco Aironet 3800e Access Point with external antennas
● CON-SNT-AIRPID38E: SNTC-8X5XNBD 802.11ac Ctrlr AP 4x4:3SS w/CleanAir; Ex Duration: 12 Month(s)

Cisco Smart Net Total Care for the Cisco Aironet 3800p Access Point with external antennas
● CON-SNT-AIRAP382: SNTC-8X5XNBD 802.11ac Ctrlr AP 4x Duration: 12 Month(s)

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 3 of 5
 Item Specification
Regulatory domains: (x = regulatory domain)
Customers are responsible for verifying approval for use in their individual countries. 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 they are approved, the part numbers will be available on the Global
Price List.
Cisco Smart Net Total Care Service: http://www.cisco.com/go/sntc
Cisco Wireless LAN Services
● AS-WLAN-CNSLT: Cisco Wireless LAN Network Planning and Design Service
● AS-WLAN-CNSLT: Cisco Wireless LAN 802.11n Migration Service
● AS-WLAN-CNSLT: Cisco Wireless LAN Performance and Security Assessment Service

Software Cisco Unified Wireless Network Software Release 8.2.MR1 or later

Supported wireless ● Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controllers, Cisco Wireless Controller Module for ISR G2, Cisco Wireless Services Module
LAN controllers 2 (WiSM2) for Catalyst® 6500 Series Switches, Cisco 5500 Series Wireless Controllers, Cisco Flex® 7500 Series
Wireless Controllers, Cisco 8500 Series Wireless Controllers, Cisco Virtual Wireless Controller
● Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series Switches, Cisco Catalyst 3650 Series Switches

802.11n version 2.0 ● 4x4 MIMO with three spatial streams

(and related) ● Maximal ratio combining (MRC)
capabilities
● 802.11n and 802.11a/g beamforming
● 20- and 40-MHz channels
● PHY data rates up to 450 Mbps (40 MHz with 5 GHz).
● Packet aggregation: A-MPDU (Tx/Rx), A-MSDU (Tx/Rx)
● 802.11 dynamic frequency selection (DFS)
● Cyclic shift diversity (CSD) support
802.11ac Wave 1 ● 4x4 MIMO with three spatial streams
capabilities ● MRC
● 802.11ac beamforming
● 20-, 40-, and 80-MHz channels
● PHY data rates up to 1.3 Gbps (80 MHz in 5 GHz)
● Packet aggregation: A-MPDU (Tx/Rx), A-MSDU (Tx/Rx)
● 802.11 DFS
● CSD support
802.11ac Wave 2 ● 4x4 MU-MIMO with three spatial streams
capabilities ● MRC
● 802.11ac beamforming
● 20-, 40-, 80, 160-MHz channels
● PHY data rates up to 5.2 Gbps
● Packet aggregation: A-MPDU (Tx/Rx), A-MSDU (Tx/Rx)
● 802.11 DFS
● CSD support
Interfaces ● 2 Ethernet ports
◦ 100/1000/2500/5000 Multigigabit Ethernet (RJ-45)
◦ 100/1000BASE-T autosensing (RJ-45)
● Management console port (RJ-45)

Indicators ● Status LED indicates boot loader status, association status, operating status, boot loader warnings, boot loader errors

Dimensions ● Access point (without mounting brackets): 3802I: 8.66 x 8.68 x 2.46 in. (22 x 22 x 6.25 cm), 3802E: 8.66 x 8.68 x 2.62
(W x L x H) in. (22 x 22 x 6.7 cm), 3802P: 8.66 x 8.68 x 2.62 in. (22 x 22 x 6.7 cm)

Warranty Limited lifetime hardware warranty

Warranty Information
The Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points come with a limited lifetime warranty that provides full warranty
coverage of the hardware for as long as the original end user continues to own or use the product. The warranty
includes 10-day advance hardware replacement and ensures that software media are defect-free for 90 days. For
more details, visit http://www.cisco.com/go/warranty.

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 4 of 5
 Cisco Capital
Financing to Help You Achieve Your Objectives
Cisco Capital® can help you acquire the technology you need to achieve your objectives and stay competitive. We
can help you reduce CapEx. Accelerate your growth. Optimize your investment dollars and ROI. Cisco Capital
financing gives you flexibility in acquiring hardware, software, services, and complementary third-party equipment.
And there’s just one predictable payment. Cisco Capital is available in more than 100 countries. Learn more.

Printed in USA C78-736498-01 04/16

© 2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 5 of 5