The Cisco Aironet 2802I is a high‑performance, indoor Wi‑Fi 5 (802.11ac Wave 2) access point designed for dense enterprise environments.
With dual‑radio architecture, 4×4 MU‑MIMO, and up to 5.2 Gbps of aggregate throughput, it delivers reliable coverage, intelligent RF optimization, and seamless roaming. Ideal for offices, campuses, and high‑density venues, the 2802I balances capacity, security, and manageability for mission‑critical wireless networks.
Product Overview
Specifications
Feature | Cisco Aironet 2802I |
Wi‑Fi Standard | IEEE 802.11ac Wave 2 (Wi‑Fi 5) |
Radios | Dedicated 5 GHz + Flexible (2.4 GHz/5 GHz) |
Spatial Streams | 4×4 MU‑MIMO (up to 3 spatial streams per radio) |
Max Aggregate Throughput | Up to 5.2 Gbps (3.5 Gbps on 5 GHz + 1.7 Gbps on 2.4 GHz) |
Ethernet Ports | 2× 100/1000 BASE‑T autosensing (RJ‑45) |
Power over Ethernet | 802.3at PoE+ / Cisco Universal PoE |
CPU & Memory | Dual‑core, 1 GHz CPU; 1 GB DRAM; 256 MB Flash |
USB Interface | USB 2.0 (for future IoT modules) |
Dimensions (W×L×H) | 8.66” × 8.68” × 2.17” (220 × 220 × 55 mm) |
Weight | 3.53 lb (1.6 kg) |
Power Draw | 20 W at PD (all features, no USB); 23 W with USB enabled |
Operating Temp. | 32–104 °F (0–40 °C); humidity 10–90% non‑condensing |
Warranty | Limited lifetime hardware warranty; 10‑day advance replacement, 90‑day software media |
Management | Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC), Mobility Express, or Cisco DNA Center |
Cisco Aironet 2802I vs. Competitors
Feature | Cisco 2802I | Aruba IAP‑315 | Ubiquiti UAP‑AC‑HD | Ruckus R710 |
Wi‑Fi Standard | 802.11ac Wave 2 | 802.11ac Wave 2 | 802.11ac Wave 2 | 802.11ac Wave 2 |
Radios/Streams | 2× (4×4:4 MU‑MIMO, 3 SS) | 2× (4×4:4 MU‑MIMO) | 2× (4×4:4 MU‑MIMO) | 2× (4×4:4 MU‑MIMO) |
Max Throughput | 5.2 Gbps | 2.1 Gbps | 2.533 Gbps | 2.533 Gbps |
Ethernet Ports | 2× 1 GbE | 1× 1 GbE | 2× 1 GbE | 2× 1 GbE |
PoE | 802.3at PoE+ | 802.3af PoE | 802.3at PoE+ | 802.3af/at PoE |
Management | WLC/Mobility Express/DNA Center | Aruba Instant/IAP or Aruba Central | UniFi Controller | SmartZone or Unleashed |
Price Range | Premium | Mid‑range | Budget‑mid | Premium |
Advantages of Cisco 2802I
- Higher Throughput: Up to 5.2 Gbps, more than double Aruba’s and Ubiquiti’s speeds, ideal for high‑bandwidth applications.
- Flexible Radio Architecture: Dedicated 5 GHz + flexible radio for security scanning/dual 5 GHz, unlike competitors’ fixed dual‑band.
- Enterprise‑Grade Integration: Seamless with Cisco DNA Center, WLC, and mobility solutions for advanced analytics and automation.
Disadvantages of Cisco 2802I
- Cost: Positioned at a premium price point compared to Ubiquiti and Aruba.
- Power Draw: Higher maximum power consumption (23 W), requiring robust PoE infrastructure.
- Controller Dependency: Optimal features require Cisco WLC or Mobility Express, adding complexity for small deployments.
Why Choose Cisco Aironet 2802I?
- Unrivaled Performance: Industry‑leading 5.2 Gbps Wave 2 throughput for mission‑critical, high‑density environments.
- Advanced RF Optimization: Cisco’s Flexible Radio Assignment, CleanAir®, and Rx-SOP improve reliability and spectrum efficiency.
- Robust Security: Comprehensive security with WPA3, 802.1X, Secure Boot, and integration with Cisco ISE for zero-trust policies.
Technical Support and After‑Sales Service
Support Type | Network‑Switch.com | Cisco Official | Other 3rd‑Party Reseller |
Warranty | Limited lifetime hardware warranty | Limited lifetime hardware warranty | Varies |
Technical Support | 24/7 phone, email, chat with CCIE‑certified team | 24/7 Cisco TAC with SmartNet contract | Limited |
Firmware Updates | Regular (includes feature packs) | Regular with SmartNet | Irregular |
On‑Site Support | Available upon request | Additional service contracts | Not available |
Configuration Assistance | Free assistance with certified engineers | Available with service contracts | Not provided |
Remote Troubleshooting | 24/7 | 24/7 Cisco TAC | Limited |
Response Time | Instant for critical severity | SLA‑based | Delayed |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What data rates does the Aironet 2802I support?
Up to 1.733 Gbps on 5 GHz and 1.7 Gbps on 2.4 GHz, for a total of 5.2 Gbps with MU‑MIMO.
Q2: How many spatial streams and radios?
Dual radios (dedicated 5 GHz + flexible), each supporting 4×4:4 MU‑MIMO with three spatial streams per radio.
Q3: Can the 2802I perform intrusion detection?
Yes, it supports Cisco CleanAir® and dedicated spectrum analysis via the flexible radio.
Q4: What power options are available?
802.3at PoE+ and Cisco UPOE; power injector AIR‑PWRINJ6= is supported.
Q5: What mounting options exist?
Ceiling (T‑rail), wall‑mount brackets, or office‑extend mode for remote work scenarios.
Q6: Is it backward compatible?
Fully compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wave 1 clients; supports 802.11ac Wave 2 features.
Q7: How is the device managed?
Through Cisco Wireless LAN Controller, Mobility Express (up to 100 APs), or Cisco DNA Center for large-scale deployments.
Q8: What is the warranty coverage?
Limited lifetime hardware warranty with 10‑day advance hardware replacement and 90‑day software media coverage.
Conclusion
The Cisco Aironet 2802I sets the standard for enterprise Wi‑Fi 5 with best‑in‑class throughput, advanced RF intelligence, and seamless integration into Cisco’s ecosystem. For organizations requiring reliable, high‑density indoor Wi‑Fi, the 2802I offers unmatched performance and security.
Where to Buy: Available through Network‑Switch.com, backed by 24/7 expert support and free configuration assistance.
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