Aironet
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Wireless networking equipment |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Founder | Ex-Marconi Wireless personnel |
| Fate | Acquired by Cisco Systems in 1999 |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Wireless access points, wireless bridges, wireless controllers (post-acquisition) |
| Parent | Cisco Systems |
Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. originated as a Canadian-based wireless networking equipment producer established in 1986 by ex-Marconi Wireless personnel under the name Telesystems SLW, capitalizing on the FCC's authorization of unlicensed ISM band usage. In 1992, Telxon acquired the company, only to separate Aironet from its RF Division two years later in 1994. Cisco Systems purchased Aironet in 1999 and maintained it as a subsidiary for several subsequent years.
Before its acquisition, Aironet's primary rival included NCR and its successors AT&T and Lucent, who promoted WaveLAN wireless technology.
Before Acquisition
- ARLAN proprietary wireless networking operating at 900 MHz
- ARLAN proprietary wireless networking operating at 2.4 GHz
After Acquisition
- Aironet AP340 & AP350 – 2.4 GHz frequency 802.11b access points running VxWorks OS
- Aironet BR350 – Wireless bridge functioning at 2.4 GHz 802.11b standard (VxWorks OS)
- Aironet 700W Series – Wall-plate-mountable, dual-band 802.11n devices featuring simultaneous operation, BandSelect technology, VideoStream capability, four Gigabit Ethernet ports, Power over Ethernet (PoE), requiring a controller
- Aironet 1000 Series – Lightweight dual-band 802.11a/b/g units acquired through Airespace
- Aironet 1100 Series (launched in 2009)
- Model 1120 – Single-band 802.11g (2.4 GHz)
- Model 1130 – Dual-band supporting 802.11g/a
- Model 1140 – PoE-enabled 802.11n (2.4 GHz) with ClientLink beamforming; discontinued October 2013; software support ended October 2014
- Aironet 1700 and 1850 Series
- Aironet 1200 Series
- Models 1210/1220/1230 – Operating at 2.4 GHz with optional detachable "flappy" antenna module for 5 GHz
- Models 1240 and 1250
- Aironet 1300 Outdoor Access Point/Bridge
- Aironet series ranging from 2600 to 4800 – Enterprise-class access points incorporating progressive wireless standards and functionalities
Cisco Wireless Controllers Compatible with Aironet
- Cisco 8540 Wireless LAN Controller
- Cisco 5520 Wireless LAN Controller
- Cisco 3504 Wireless LAN Controller
- Cisco 2500 Wireless LAN Controller
- Cisco Virtual Wireless Controller