Q
What is the Cisco 1520 Mesh Access Point?
A
The Cisco 1520 Mesh Access Point is an outdoor, dual-band 802.11ac Wave 2 device designed for flexible, scalable wireless deployments in challenging environments.
Q
Which Wi-Fi standards does the Cisco 1520 support?
A
The Cisco 1520 supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wave 2, offering MU-MIMO, beamforming, and up to 1.3 Gbps aggregate data rates.
Q
What frequency bands are available on the Cisco 1520?
A
The Cisco 1520 operates concurrently on 2.4 GHz (up to 300 Mbps) and 5 GHz (up to 1 Gbps) bands for optimal coverage and performance.
Q
What mesh networking capabilities does it offer?
A
It delivers self-forming, self-healing mesh links that extend coverage without cabling, automatically routing traffic over the best available path.
Q
How do I deploy the Cisco 1520 Mesh Access Point?
A
Mount the unit using the included bracket, connect to a PoE switch or injector, and provision via Cisco DNA Center or mobility controller for plug-and-play setup.
Q
What power options are supported?
A
The Cisco 1520 supports IEEE 802.3af PoE and Cisco Universal PoE, eliminating the need for external power supplies in outdoor installations.
Q
How many clients can one access point handle?
A
Each Cisco 1520 can serve up to 200 active clients simultaneously, leveraging load-balancing and airtime fairness features.
Q
What is the typical coverage area per unit?
A
In optimal conditions, the Cisco 1520 covers up to 300 meters radius outdoors, depending on obstructions and RF environment.
Q
Which security features are built in?
A
It includes WPA3, 802.1X authentication, MAC address filtering, rogue AP detection, and secure boot for comprehensive threat protection.
Q
Can I manage it with Cisco DNA Center?
A
Yes. The Cisco 1520 integrates fully with Cisco DNA Center for policy-based automation, analytics, and centralized lifecycle management.
Q
What mounting and environmental ratings does it have?
A
The unit is IP67-rated, operating from –40 °C to 60 °C, and mounts on poles, walls, or towers with kits included in the package.
Q
What are the dimensions and weight?
A
The Cisco 1520 measures 260 mm × 230 mm × 80 mm and weighs 1.2 kg, making it compact and lightweight for outdoor deployments.
Q
What deployment scenarios suit the Cisco 1520?
A
Ideal for campuses, transportation hubs, stadium perimeters, and outdoor venues requiring resilient, high-capacity mesh coverage.
Q
How do I troubleshoot connectivity issues?
A
Use Cisco DNA Center’s assurance dashboard for real-time RF analysis, inspect mesh link status, and verify PoE power levels via CLI or GUI.
Q
What warranty and support options are available?
A
Cisco offers a limited lifetime warranty on the 1520 hardware, plus optional SMARTnet services for advanced support and faster replacement.
Q
How does the Cisco 1520 differ from the 1530 model?
A
Compared to the 1530, the 1520 is optimized for mesh deployments with lower power consumption and simplified external antenna design.