Cisco access points differ in Wi-Fi generation, spatial streams, Ethernet ports and the power they draw, and the letters in the part number name the antennas and the regulatory domain. This guide covers the Aironet 1142, 1830, 1850 and 3600, the Catalyst 9115AX, the ceiling grid clip they mount with, and the WiSM2 controller module for the Catalyst 6500. Every figure comes from Cisco data sheets, mounting guides and end of sale notices, listed under Sources.
The short answer
For 802.11ac Wave 2, the Aironet 1830 (3x3:2SS) or the Aironet 1850 (4x4:4SS, with a second port for link aggregation). For Wi-Fi 6, the Catalyst 9115AX, which Cisco names to follow both. The Aironet 1142 and 3600 are 802.11a/g/n models. Check the regulatory domain letter: B is the domain for the United States.
The models side by side
| Model | Wi-Fi | Streams | Ethernet | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR-AP1142N-A-K9 | 802.11a/g/n, standalone | Not stated | Not stated | 12.95 W maximum on 802.3af |
| AIR-AP1832I-B-K9 | 802.11ac Wave 2 | 3x3:2SS | 1 x 10/100/1000 with PoE | 15.4 W typical |
| AIR-AP1852I-B-K9 | 802.11ac Wave 2 | 4x4:4SS | 2 x 10/100/1000 (one PoE, one AUX) | 20.9 W typical |
| AIR-CAP3602E-A-K9 | 802.11a/g/n, controller-based | Not stated | 1 x 10/100/1000 | Not stated |
| C9115AXI-B | Wi-Fi 6 | Not stated | Not stated | 20.4 W on 802.3at PoE+ |
Aironet 1830 and 1850
The AIR-AP1832I-B-K9 is an 802.11ac Wave 2 access point with 3x3:2SS and internal antennas, for the B regulatory domain (the United States). It has 1 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 port with PoE, an RJ-45 console and a USB 2.0 port, 1 GB of memory and 256 MB of flash, and draws 15.4 W typical on 44 to 57 VDC (PoE). It measures 2 x 8.3 x 8.3 in. (50.8 x 210.8 x 210.8 mm) without its bracket and weighs 2.05 lb (930 g).
The AIR-AP1852I-B-K9 is the 4x4:4SS version: 2 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 ports, one PoE and one AUX for link aggregation, an RJ-45 console and a USB 2.0 port. It draws 20.9 W typical and weighs 3.12 lb (1.41 kg).
Aironet 1142 and 3600
The AIR-AP1142N-A-K9 is a dual-band standalone 802.11a/g/n access point. It is powered by an 802.3af switch, an AIR-PWRINJ4= injector or an AIR-PWR-B= local power supply, at 44 to 57 VDC over 802.3af, and draws 12.95 W at most. It has 128 MB of memory and 32 MB of flash, measures 1.84 x 8.7 x 8.7 in (4.7 x 22.1 x 22.1 cm) without its bracket, weighs 2.3 lb (1.04 kg), and runs from 0 to 40 C.
The Aironet 3600 is a dual-band controller-based 802.11a/g/n access point: the 3600i, such as the AIR-CAP3602I-I-K9, has internal antennas, and the 3600e, such as the AIR-CAP3602E-A-K9, external antennas. The AIR-CAP3602E-A-K9 has 1 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 port and an RJ-45 console, 256 MB of memory, runs from -20 to 55 C and weighs 2.5 lb (1.13 kg); the AIR-CAP3602I-I-K9 runs from 0 to 40 C. The letter after the dash is the regulatory domain, as the B in AIR-AP1832I-B-K9 is the domain for the United States.
Catalyst 9115AX
The C9115AXI-B is a Catalyst 9115 Wi-Fi 6 access point that draws up to 20.4 W on 802.3at PoE+. It has an RJ-45 management console port and measures 1.5 x 8.0 x 8.0 in (3.8 x 20.3 x 20.3 cm). Cisco's end of sale notices name the Catalyst 9115AX Series to follow the Aironet 1830 and 1850.
Mounting
The AIR-AP-T-RAIL-R is a recessed ceiling grid clip for the AIR-AP-BRACKET-1 and AIR-AP-BRACKET-2 brackets. It mounts on a suspended ceiling T-rail with recessed tiles, and also on flush tiles, where it adds a gap of about 1/4 in.
The WiSM2 controller
The WiSM2, Wireless Services Module 2, is a wireless controller module for Catalyst 6500 Series switches. The WS-SVC-WISM2-K-K9 carries the 1000 access point license and draws up to 225 W at 40 C with full traffic, giving off up to 768 Btu/h; it weighs 11 lb (5 kg). The supervisor must run 12.2(33)SXJ2 or 15.0(1)SY1 or later for the listed features, and with the Supervisor Engine 2T-10GE it needs Cisco IOS 15.0(1)SY or later.
What to check before you buy
- The Wi-Fi generation: 802.11a/g/n on the 1142 and 3600, 802.11ac Wave 2 on the 1830 and 1850, Wi-Fi 6 on the 9115AX.
- The antenna letter: I for internal, E for external, as in the 3600i and 3600e.
- The regulatory domain letter after the dash: B for the United States.
- The power: 802.3af on the 1142, 802.3at PoE+ for the 9115AX at 20.4 W.
- The bracket and clip for the ceiling.
Lifecycle: what the dates mean
Cisco gives May 1, 2022 as the end of sale date for the AIR-AP1832I-B-K9 and AIR-AP1852I-B-K9, and April 30, 2027 as the end of support for the AIR-AP1832I-B-K9. The C9115AXI-B reaches end of sale on December 31, 2026. The WiSM2 reached end of sale on April 10, 2017, with support to April 30, 2022.
Where to look
Cisco access points and the WiSM2 each have a page listing what is in stock. Pages in stock today include the C9115AXI-B, the AIR-AP1142N-A-K9, the WS-SVC-WISM2-K-K9 and the WS-SVC-WISM2-K9. For the whole maker, read the Cisco guide. Request a quote for a part that is not listed, or sell the access points you retire.
Sources
- End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco Aironet 1830 Series Access Points
- Cisco Aironet 1850 Series Access Points Data Sheet
- End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco Aironet 1850 Series Access Points
- Cisco Catalyst 9115 Series Wi-Fi 6 Access Points Data Sheet
- Cisco Aironet 1830 Series Access Points Data Sheet
- Cisco Aironet 3600 Series Access Point Data Sheet
- End-of-Sale and End-of-Life Announcement for the Cisco and Meraki Wi-Fi 6 Indoor Access Points
- Access Point Mounting Instructions
- Selecting Access Point Mounting Hardware: Brackets and Ceiling Grid Clips
- Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Wireless Services Module 2 (WiSM2) Controller Data Sheet (archived copy)
- Cisco Wireless Services Module 2 (WiSM2) Retirement Notification
- Release Notes for Cisco IOS Release 15.2(1)SY
