Is the Cisco Aironet 3500 really worth 10x the cost of other Wifi routers?
My IT guy is requesting that we purchase a Cisco Aironet 3500. Last year when I upgraded my home wifi router to a 802.11N device, it was around $100. What makes the Cisco router worth a thousand bucks?
Answers
It depends on the application, but some major differences between consumer and enterprise grade wireless access points are manageability, scalability and security. If you only need one access point (small office footprint, few wireless clients) then a consumer grade AP may be more appropriate, but consider: who will know when the AP is not functioning - are you okay with your users telling you it's broken or do you need to know it's down before they do? How will you (or your IT guy) be managing security? Will you use a single-signon account such as Active Directory or are you okay with communicating a pre-shared key to the wireless clients; are you okay with having to "touch" all those wireless clients again when the key needs to change, for whatever reason? How large is the wireless area to be covered and if it needs multiple AP's for coverage do you have requirements for "roaming" between APs or are you okay with your wireless clients getting disassociated and re-associated to the closest / strongest signal? Do you have power outlets near the appropriate point of installation, or can you avoid power cabling / installation costs by using Power-over-Ethernet capable APs?
Additionally, the Cisco 3500 AP is a "lightweight" AP, which means it does not function on its own, but joins a controller for centralized management and policy enforcement - does your organization already have a lightweight AP infrastructure to which your IT guy is just adding another node? Or is this a green-field installation where no wireless service exist today?
A controller based AP deployment versus multiple stand-alone consumer grade APs is a universe of difference - you should have a discussion with your IT guy so that you and everyone else understands the requirements that drive technology decisions.
- Share this answer
- Permalink
The "IT Guy" should provide you with 2(minimum) solutions and explain why the 1K solution is best for the organization and then the Alternative(s). Cisco make quality products that will last years longer than the $100 home solutions. I implented 4 Cisco Aironet earlier models that cost about $500/each and they have been running for 7 + years without a hitch. On the other hand, the Owner of the business has gone through as many if not more $100 solutions in less time using the lesser quality models.
Cost Comparison, Warranty, Support, and alternative solutions should be part of the process in your business. I am an IT Professional so I speak from experience. Your "IT Guy" should know this when approaching you with a solution.
Lastly, is it worth a thousand bucks? No one but the key decision maker can answer that question and you would have to base that off of what you are getting in return for your money.
Hope this helps.
/SF
- Share this answer
- Permalink
Technically you're comparing two different market targets. The Aironet 3500 is more Enterprise focused, where the Linksys (Made by Cisco) is for the Consumer.
Depending on your need the 3500 may or may not work for you. If you're a small office I would say it is overkill, but if your a large organization with many thousands of square feet you'll need more than one.
I would suggest pricing out a Wireless Site Survey for proper scaling of the wireless infrastructure and purchasing equipment based on that. Otherwise you'll end up with a $1,000 paperweight.
- Share this answer
- Permalink
Related Questions
I know that wired connections are faster than wifi, but since my son has been complaining about lag time when he plays games on the xbox...
My laptop keeps losing the wifi connection and saying "local only" but another laptop has no such problems. I'm running Windows 7. Any...
IBM is unveiling a new secure wireless internet network at the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas. Should IBM be sharing security secrets...
I have a cable modem/router from AT&T but it's only Wifi G. Is it difficult to set up another Wifi device that uses 802.11N to...
We've got some Wifi G routers that are working just fine, but they don't have some of the more advanced security features we would...
Being aware that the question is a year old I would like to add my flavor to this. Being a Cisco shareholder I should say - Absolutely go right ahead. However of you are asking are they worth it - short answer No.
Still from an operational and performance perspective - you simply cannot run a business network off consumer gear. Authentication must be better, mobility between access points must be better. Troubleshooting must be better. In addition the work environment is more likely to use flourecent lighting in volume rather incandescent or LED lighting in most homes. Office light systems typically disturb wireless networks and since you use this network to carry your sources of income, you'd better have a way to address potential issues.
Modern controller baser WLAN systems offer better performance, management and coverage than any consumer grade system. It also adds other functions like tracking devices and seamless roaming (in support of voice over IP over WLAN. That is a tough nut to crack on consumer equipment most of the time.
That being said other alternatives do exist - beyond Cisco and I would suggest looking at those.
Aruba Networks are more sophisticated vs their technology and HP is equivalent to Cisco midrange equipment but priced much more attractively.
Considering that - you may want to look for alternatives - keep in mind that controller based APs do require (in most cases) a central WLAN controller, This does not come for free, either.
So in balance if your business is of the size of a home - by all means use a consumer grade system - otherwise seek help and get a real system.