Even though Cisco no longer manufactures the AIR-BR350-A-K9 wireless bridge, some alternative Cisco providers continue to carry used and pre-owned AIR-BR350-A-K9 components for customers who are looking for an affordable, high-speed, wireless connectivity option between multiple fixed or mobile networks and clients. The AIR-BR350-A-K9 is ideal for a variety of wireless environments. So does that mean you should save money and stick with the original or upgrade to the new AIR-BR1310G-A-K9?

Cisco, of course, recommends migrating for the obvious reason– they make money. But you should also be aware that if you save money by purchasing an end-of-lifed component (and you will save money– most people save literally thousands by doing so), when it comes time to service the component, Cisco won’t be there.

Is that as big of a problem as it sounds?

It depends on where you bought that component.  Best case scenario– don’t buy it from Cisco.  Buy it from an alternative hardware provider that will still service it and offers a warranty. Several of the legitimate, long-standing companies, like MLCP, do. As a matter of fact, MLCP warrants used components for one full year.

You should also compare the amount you’ll save by purchasing the used AIR-BR350-A-K9 to the price you’ll pay for a new AIR-BR1310G-A-K9.  Figure your savings and depreciation for each year– like you would a used car– and know how long you need to keep each component for it to make financial sense.

Wireless bridges offer high-speed, building-to-building or campus connectivity for line-of-sight applications. Wi-Fi bridging solutions offer an affordable alternative to leased-line services and operate by sharing LAN/Internet access between two or more sites. Both components will serve their purpose. It’s simply a matter of the amount of money you’ll save (or spend) compared with the features you anticipate you’ll need within that time frame.

Smart decisions start with research. Know your options and think outside the box.

Why do we love the Cisco AIR-BR1410A-A-K9 outdoor wireless bridge?

The Cisco AIR-BR1410A-A-K9 provides a premiere, high-performance and feature-rich outdoor solution for connecting multiple LANs in a metro area. Engineered especially for harsh outdoor environments, the flexible, easy to use AIR-BR1410A-A-K9 also works well in indoor deployments. Whether you purchase a new surplus or refurbished AIR-BR1410A-A-K9, you’ll benefit from enhanced features like advanced security mechanisms, data rate support of up to 54 Mbps, point-to-multipoint configuration options, and integrated or optional external antennas.

Rugged and tough, this component actually holds its own in inclement weather conditions making it versatile and flexible. If that weren’t enough, the ROI is substantial. The high-speed links between the wireless bridges deliver throughput several times faster than E1/T1 lines for a fraction of the cost-eliminating the need for expensive leased lines or difficult-to-install fiber-optic cable.

Performance is never compromised either. Data rates of 54 Mbps can be enabled for point-to-point links up to 8.5 miles, and for point-to-multipoint links up to 2.75 miles. Aggregate throughput can be obtained in excess of 28 Mbps. Also, by using higher gain antennas or lower data rates, ranges in excess of 20 miles point-to-point can be covered.

And on top of that, it keeps data secure. Network managers can confidently deploy a wireless bridging solution that provides robust security and protection, with the ease of centralized management through a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) server such as Cisco Secure Access Control Server (ACS).

And that’s enough for us.

As you’re trying to get a handle on which computer networking hardware to purchase and from which company to purchase it from, what are some things to look for?  If you’re already comfortable with the company you’re considering doing business with (they’ve been around for a while, you can speak to someone directly on the phone, they offer a warranty on new and used equipment), then it’s time to delve into the products themselves and technical specs can be a big help.

Technical specs can tell you a great deal in a very clear, concise way about the component’s security features, ability to expand, power requirements, physical size, system requirements and the version of software you’ll need to run it. All of these things, if you guess wrong, could delay getting your system up and running.  You’ll want to be sure you have adequate space for the component itself and adequate power to operate it.

Technical specs for the Cisco 2851 router even include the temperature and environmental conditions in which the router can be operated.  Always be sure to read through the specs before purchasing a piece of equipment and avoid dealing with companies that don’t publish this information. Getting it over the phone can lead to miscommunication.

Cisco’s Aironet Access Points deliver enterprise-class features for business-ready wireless LANs. As part of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network, they offer secure and manageable connectivity and exceptional range and performance with features like VoIP, wireless intrusion detection and prevention, scalable Layer 3 roaming, location services, and guest access. But any wireless access point could do that, right?

Not exactly.

The beauty of the Cisco Aironet Access points is that they come business-ready and truly offer simple deployment. Others say they do but sometimes their definition of “simple” is, well, complex.  Cisco’s Aironet 1140 series access points are also available as a standalone, autonomous version, or can be ordered as a lightweight, controller-based model. Again, freedom to choose what works best for you. Are you sensing a theme yet?  The controller-based is the more scalable solution and delivers the greatest feature velocity but the standalone is perfect for distributed deployments and smaller scale networks.  Either way, the point is, you can customize and choose what works for you.  So now you’ll have the freedom of mobility along with the freedom of choice.

On top of all those freedoms, there’s also the freedom that comes with saving money and spending those dollars elsewhere– yes, wherever you choose to spend them.  Aironet wireless access points are energy-efficient so they’ll save money over the life of the network.  And don’t forget that if you buy a used Aironet access point from MULTI-LINK,  like a refurbished AIR-LAP1142N-T-K9, you can save even more.

Cisco and our specialized partners offer a broad portfolio of end-to-end services to help customers improve their organization’s productivity and collaboration by assisting with the readiness, deployment and optimization of your wireless network and mobility services. Our services help successfully deploy the Cisco Aironet 1140 Series and integrate mobility solutions effectively to lower the total cost of ownership and secure your wireless network.

The Korea-configured Cisco Aironet 1140 Series Standalone access points offer unparalleled performance and security and the AIR-AP1142N-K-K9 is a prime example of this energy-efficient line. New or used AIR-AP1142N-K-K9 wireless access points will save money over the life of the product due to its simple deployment and advanced security features. As a business-ready, indoor access point, the AIR-AP1142N-K-K9 can be powered with an 802.3af switch, a power supply, or power injector. No powering device is included with the access point.

The Cisco Unified Wireless Network supports two architectural options – standalone and controller-based. The standalone solution does not require controllers and is ideal for small scale or distributed deployments. The controller-based option is recommended for businesses of any size and deployment topology. It is the most scalable solution and delivers the greatest flexibility and feature velocity for distributed or centralized deployments.

Korea has no shortage of options for reliable, powerful access points. The advanced security and features of this particular model coupled with the reliability we’ve long associated with Cisco-manufactured wireless products were important factors in choosing this component as our pick for Korea.

As a member of the The Cisco Aironet 1140 Series Access Point family, the AIR-AP1141N-P-K9 was designed for simple deployment even though this high-performance 802.11n access point offers six times the throughput of existing 802.11a/g networks. The sleek industrial design of the AIR-AP1141N-P-K9 makes this energy-efficient access point unobtrusive while still delivering PoE performance, exceptional reliability, and improved client connections in mixed client environments.

The Cisco Aironet 1140 Series is a component of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network, which can scale up to 18,000 access points with full Layer 3 mobility across central or remote locations on the enterprise campus, in branch offices, and at remote sites. The Cisco Unified Wireless Network is the industry’s most flexible, resilient, and scalable architecture, delivering secure access to mobility services and applications and offering the lowest total cost of ownership and investment protection by integrating seamlessly with the existing wired network, according to industry-leader Cisco.

This access point offers the security you would expect in an energy-efficient, unobtrusive, compact design. ClientLink, BandSelect, and VideoStream are all features ensure the best possible end-user experience on the wireless network.

According to Cisco, “Wireless networks enable people, devices, and applications to stay continually connected with applications and information. The Cisco wireless mesh network extends wireless access over large, metro-scale areas, extending into areas where wiring is impractical or cost-prohibitive. The wireless mesh can be easily deployed and maintained with zero-touch configuration deployment and self-healing capacity.”

Outdoor wireless access points can be purchased for use in almost any part of the world. For example, in Korea, the Cisco AIR-LAP1522AG-K-K9 can help to extend wireless connectivity in rural areas like Okcheon. In some cases, the wireless connectivity is more reliable than wired but together, they can create an enhanced, high performance network.

How does it work?

Cisco’s website explains the technology behind the product: “All of the Cisco Aironet 1520 Series Lightweight Outdoor Access Points provide high-performance device access through improved 802.11b/g radio sensitivity and range performance with maximal ratio combining (MRC) technology. Flexible deployability and multiple uplink options and power options are available. The 802.3af-compliant, Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) interface makes it easy to connect IP devices, such as IP video cameras. NEMA Type 4X enclosures help ensure a robust system that can withstand rough weather conditions. The Cisco Aironet 1520 Series Access Points are Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS 140-2) certifiable for applications that require this standard. To help ensure uptime for crucial applications even in the event that electrical power becomes unavailable, the 1520 Series offers an internal battery for backup power.”

Whether you opt for a new or used AIR-LAP1522AG-E-K9 outdoor wireless access point, you won’t be disappointed.

This high performance mesh solution is a dual radio system with dual band radios. As a member of the Cisco Aironet 1520 Series Lightweight Outdoor Access Point series, the AIR-LAP1522AG-E-K9 provide high-performance device access through improved 802.11b/g radio sensitivity and range performance with maximal ratio combining (MRC) technology. In inclement weather, when reliability is tested, the NEMA Type 4X enclosures help to ensure a robust system that can withstand rough conditions. And your system will be protected during a power failure as well if you add the AIR-LAP1522AG-E-K9 to your network as The Cisco Aironet 1520 Series Access Points are Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS 140-2) certifiable for applications that require this standard. To help ensure uptime for crucial applications even in the event that electrical power becomes unavailable, the 1520 Series offers an internal battery for backup power.

The entire series gives users these benefits plus many more, but we chose this particular product as representative of the series because it is the ETSI-configured access point. Check to make sure you’re purchasing the appropriate access point for use in your respective country.