Does Cisco 2504 wireless controller support Cisco 1552E outdoor access point?
This is a common question asked by Cisco users. Someone may be confused with different info and data sheet that don’t show whether Cisco 2504 wireless controller supports Cisco 1552E outdoor access point. Let’s check some points that some network experts shared here. (If you have any views, you can post here: https://supportforums.cisco.com/discussion/11564271/cisco-2504-wireless-controller-can-support-1552e-access-point )
Yes. You can have the AIR-CAP1552E used in the controller environment which is basically an 802.11abgn Mesh Access Points. You can use this tool: Wireless LAN Compliance Lookup
Access point-WLC compatibility is not usually a hardware issue. It is a software issue.
You can’t find in either 2500 or 1550 data sheets what APs or WLCs supported. However, you can check the release notes for the software version that you want to use and you can find if it supports both the WLC and the AP or not.
For example, if we pick up software version 7.0.220.0, you can find in the release note that it is supported on both 2500 controllers and it supports 2500. So, if the 2500 controller can run 7.0.220.0 then it should support the 1550 Access points.
7.0.220.0 Release notes: The Latest Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controllers Data Sheet
With some AP data sheets, the software version that is supported is mentioned. However, with 1550 datasheet is not mentioned. This indicates it is not a hardware dependent and you need to check if the running software to make sure about compatibility.
Cisco 1550 model WAP is a supported controller model WAP which we can use as a mesh access point. If you look at the link in the very first page itself it show this category as controller supported model. Whatever it matters 25xx or 55xx model the controller supports 1550 model WAP. Please see the below attached image.
So that Cisco 1552E model is supported with 2504 WLC. But there is limitation in client associations with 1500 access points with 2504 controller.
WLC 2504 Configuration Guide:
Client Association Limits for Lightweight Access Points
The Per-AP limits are as follows:
- For 16-MB APs, the limit is 128 clients per AP. This limit is applicable to 1100 and 1200 series APs.
- For 32-MB and higher APs, there is no per-AP limit.
- The per-radio limits are as follows:
- For all Cisco IOS APs, the limit is 200 associations per radio.
- For all 1000 and 1500 series APs, which are not supported beyond release 4.2, the limit is 250 associations per radio.
With 32-MB and higher lightweight Cisco IOS APs, with two radios, up to 200 + 200 = 400 associations are supported.
Configuration Guide: https://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/wireless/controller/7.0MR1/configuration/guide/cg_controller_setting.html
Well, the 1550 is having 32 MB memory. https://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/wireless/ps5678/ps10981/at_a_glance_c45-636090.pdf
It means that (as per the info you pasted) it has no limit for the clients.
Besides, the statement that says: With 32-MB and higher lightweight Cisco IOS APs, with two radios, up to 200 + 200 = 400 associations are supported.
It probably indicates 1500 series APs not 1550. 1000 series and 1500 Mesh series are obsolete. 1500 APs includes for example 1505 mesh AP.
Cisco 1520 and 1550 APs are on different series than 1500.
Just like the Cisco 1000 series. It is different than 1100 series.
There is 1010 AP that belongs to 1000 series while there is 1120 AP that belongs to 1100 series.
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More discussion from https://supportforums.cisco.com/discussion/11564271/cisco-2504-wireless-controller-can-support-1552e-access-point
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