Cisco AIR-AP1041N-A-K9 Aironet 802.11g/n Fixed Autonomous Access Point

Why do you need an access point that you can modify with CLI? Because you can... This Cisco AP is a great AP for SMB with a savvy IT nerd like me. It's not designed to be an enterprise mainstay in the WLAN space, but it's got great tie-backs to security (802.1X, Radius, certificate based, etc), and it's fully stand alone. This unit has a CLI interface and a GUI that is reasonably well built. I'd say that the GUI was last minute because the response time is slow...but that's expected for a $350 AP. You will need a configuration guide from Cisco to make this AP do more than basics. I am a network expert but would not expect the average IT or computer user to find this an 'easy' to use product. This is a professional tool designed to provide 802.11 B/G/N services through it's single spectrum antenna set. It's not using a dual radio (that would be the AP1142, so don't be confused).My only complaint is that it's difficult to configure the security settings for this AP through the GUI. Stick to the CLI if possible and you'll be pleased with the capability of customization and relative ease of configuration.

Just a warning: I'm a network engineer.Now that that's out of the way, I'm happy to report that this access point is absolutely wonderful. It handles all of my network traffic with ease. If you've been unsatisfied with home wireless solutions, or even lower-level business wireless solutions, this is the access point for you. Configuration tends to be a bit complex, since this is running full Cisco IOS, but the web interface makes this a little easier (a very little bit easier...). System uptime has been wonderful, hardly any network latency added, able to handle multiple clients with demanding needs without slowing down or becoming unstable. This is now my go-to recommendation for clients and computer enthusiasts like myself.Bottom Line:Buy this if: You're a network engineer who just finished wiring their home with gigabit ethernet for the fun of it and would like a nice AP to go along with it.Don't buy this if: You've found that your Linksys wireless router is a bit too complex for your tastes.

I bought this AP to improve the performance and security of my personal wireless network located in an apartment in a high-rise building with the WIFI spectrum flooded with vanilla linksys and netgear APs. I eventually succeeded in getting it to do both quite well.Please note that the "autonomous" APs (such as this one, with part numbers that begin AIR-AP) do not require a separate controller and as such are probably best suited for home or small office use. The "lightweight" APs (with part numbers that begin with AIR-LAP) require a wireless LAN controller to operate. (If you accidentally bought one of these, it is claimed that you can replace the system software to convert it to an "autonomous" AP, but I have not done so.)I am not a network engineer, and have never worked with "real" Cisco gear before. I am, however, a Computer Scientist, but it still took me several days to get this working as I had planned.The biggest stumbling block I ran into was getting the AP to use the local RADIUS server, which uses ports 1812 and 1813 (the "new" standard RADIUS ports), but the ports had defaulted to 1645 and 1646 (the "old" standard RADIUS ports). I got to learn how to use the Cisco IOS CLI to debug this, so it wasn't a total loss :)Also, the AIR-PWRINJ3= power injector does NOT work with this device (despite the fact that some Cisco documentation says it should, and, at least at the time I bought it, shows up in the "frequently bought together with" list). I think the AIR-PWRINJ4 will work, but I have not tried it.The 802.11n spec requires AES with WPA to get link speeds greater than the 802.11g max of 55 Mbps (or open authentication). It also requires WMM to be enabled (Sevices -> QOS -> Advanced).In encryption manager set cipher to AES CCMP.In SSID manager accept Open Authentication with EAP and Network EAP, require Key Management to be Mandatory, and enable WPA. (I originally specified WPAv2, but our Apple laptops and an iPhone did not work with v2. If you just specify WPA, individual clients can negotiate v1 or v2.)This configuration is often called called "Enterprise WPA" in the client configuration UIs.You then need to create users with the Local Radius Server, and aim the Server Manager at the Local Radius Server (or your existing Radius server, if you have one).Please note that the Local Radius server only supports EAP types LEAP and FAST. It does not support PEAP, which makes it difficult or impossible to use with some devices (you would have to "root" and hack your Kindle fire to get it work with LEAP, and you need a special configuration app to configure an Android phone to work with LEAP).If you want to support PEAP, your options are to subscribe to a cloud RADIUS service (which I elected) or set up your own RADIUS server (which I eventually will do). Using PEAP I have authenticated an Ubuntu linux laptop, a Mac air (try specifying WPAv1 on the mac if it doesn't work), a Kindle Fire, an Android phone, and an iPhone as 802.11g devices with a link speed of 55 Mbps. I have authenticated a MAC Pro and a Windows 7 Thinkpad as 802.11n devices with a link speed of 144 Mbps. The cloud/hosted RADIUS providers have very helpful documentation on how to configure your various devices.Also please note that this is a single band device. The maximum link speed you will be able to get with 802.11n is 144 Mbps. To get a 300 Mbps link speed you will need a dual band device such as the AIR-AP1042N-A-K9.

I have been working with Cisco products for over 12 years now. There is not much that has changed about the interface of their AP's in the last 7 years. The one thing I noticed about the this (the autonomous version) is that the GUI is slooooooooooww[...] So be patient when you configure it. It works and performs just like a Cisco should. However, I have been getting into Ruckus access points lately and they blow Cisco out of the water. Much easier to config and the range they have with their "smart beam" technology is amazing! However they are more money too which is hard to justify for me.

I came to this particular access point after many years of dealing with consumer-grade gear. This is an absolute beast, much higher and consistent throughput rates than you would ever see with cisco's linksys brands or equivalents. This model is only a single-band 2.4GHz, so the max theoretical speed (even on N) is 144mbps, so keep that in mind. Consistent speed is real-world 80-100 mbps, this tested from an installation with ~50 consistent client devices. Also has gigabit ethernet, which is nice. This is the autonomous version, meaning it is ready to be administered via http without any controller present. Controller-based firmware is availble through Cisco ONLY IF you have a service contract. Overall performance is stellar. Will definitely buy this again.

Confusing web-based UI is the negative, else much to love about this product. Great range and predictable results. I was extremely surprised to see it working in a metal cabinet. Same cabinet with adequate range!! Metal cabinet had a plexiglass front , I must say but other AP were failin in the same environment. Not a recomended set-up I must add :)

As promised...

Good Performance