Hi Everyone,
I'm new here so I'll first start by saying ...Hello.
For the past hour I've been looking through the Cisco site and reading many data sheets but I'm just not clear on the language or terminology being employed to know if a product is going to meet my needs or not.
I have a 5000sq foot house on three levels (the basement is a walk out and fully finished so I'm counting it as a level for this scenario) and want to install wireless networking. I am looking at the Cisco lineup because I've always heard and read they are rock solid and when I'm in a hospital or other public setting that has access points placed throughout, I noticce that Cisco seems the preferred manufacturer.
I would like the 802.11ac standard with exposed antennae but I don't want it to be controller based. In that respect, I'd like something like what you'd find on the shelf of Best Buy. A wireless router that is all-in-one out of the box. Plug in the power supply, CAT6 cable from the modem and that's it. I'm simplifying this of course, the AP needs the network SSID, password and security level set but as far as hardware, no separate controller for the AP.
I've been reading up on the Cisco Aironet 3700 Series but so far, I believe this requires a controller. Does a version of it not require the controller?
If I can't escape the controller, how much complexity does it add? how much cost? The controller is essentially a LAN controller right? It would control the AP like how it would control devices connected to its gigabit ports? A more capable switch?
Any help...and I do mean any...is appreciated.
David
I'm new here so I'll first start by saying ...Hello.
For the past hour I've been looking through the Cisco site and reading many data sheets but I'm just not clear on the language or terminology being employed to know if a product is going to meet my needs or not.
I have a 5000sq foot house on three levels (the basement is a walk out and fully finished so I'm counting it as a level for this scenario) and want to install wireless networking. I am looking at the Cisco lineup because I've always heard and read they are rock solid and when I'm in a hospital or other public setting that has access points placed throughout, I noticce that Cisco seems the preferred manufacturer.
I would like the 802.11ac standard with exposed antennae but I don't want it to be controller based. In that respect, I'd like something like what you'd find on the shelf of Best Buy. A wireless router that is all-in-one out of the box. Plug in the power supply, CAT6 cable from the modem and that's it. I'm simplifying this of course, the AP needs the network SSID, password and security level set but as far as hardware, no separate controller for the AP.
I've been reading up on the Cisco Aironet 3700 Series but so far, I believe this requires a controller. Does a version of it not require the controller?
If I can't escape the controller, how much complexity does it add? how much cost? The controller is essentially a LAN controller right? It would control the AP like how it would control devices connected to its gigabit ports? A more capable switch?
Any help...and I do mean any...is appreciated.
David