Shipping included*
Exclusions
Additional shipping fees may apply in rare circumstances for deliveries outside standard service areas. In most cases, this only potentially affects shipments to the Northwest Territories and Yukon, as well as certain heavy or oversized items.
Cisco AIR-ANT2588P3M-N= Aironet Antenna - 8 dBi Directional Outdoor - 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz Dual Band - N-Type Connector
Business volume discounts
Technical guidance
Preparation & staging
QC · ON · AB · BC
Product Features
Technical Overview
This antenna features a dual-band design that supports concurrent operation at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, providing flexibility for modern Wi-Fi networks that utilize both frequency ranges. The 8 dBi gain enhances signal strength and penetration, improving connectivity over longer distances compared to standard omnidirectional antennas.
The directional radiation pattern focuses energy in a specific direction, which increases effective range in the targeted area while reducing interference from unwanted sources. This makes the antenna ideal for applications where controlled coverage is critical, such as bridging between buildings or covering outdoor areas with minimal overlap.
Relevant factors for this section include Directivity, Frequency Band Type, Operating Frequency Range, Connector Type. When those points are considered together, they give buyers a clearer picture of how the product is equipped, how it fits into deployment, and what kind of day-to-day role it is meant to support.
Key Product Advantages
The Cisco Aironet AIR-ANT2588P3M-N= antenna offers several distinct advantages for outdoor wireless network deployments. Its directional design and dual-band support provide a reliable solution for extending network coverage with precision and efficiency.
Focused Signal Coverage
The directional antenna pattern concentrates signal energy in a specific direction, enabling targeted coverage for point-to-point links or sector-based installations. This reduces interference and improves signal quality in the intended area.
- Minimizes signal spillover
- Enhances range in targeted direction
- Reduces multipath interference
Dual-Band Flexibility
Support for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands allows deployment in various network configurations, including legacy 2.4 GHz networks and modern 5 GHz implementations for higher throughput and less congestion.
- Compatible with 802.11n/ac/ax networks
- Supports channel bonding
- Future-proof for evolving standards
Deployment / Use Cases
This antenna is specifically designed for outdoor wireless data network applications where directional coverage and extended range are required. Its compatibility with the Cisco Aironet 1550 Series makes it a natural choice for enterprise and industrial environments that demand reliable outdoor connectivity.
Common deployment scenarios include wireless bridges between buildings in campus environments, providing coverage to outdoor areas such as parking lots or courtyards, and sector-based coverage for municipal or industrial wireless networks. The outdoor-rated construction ensures durability in various weather conditions, making it suitable for permanent installations.
Building-to-Building Bridges
Ideal for creating point-to-point wireless links between separate structures, enabling network extension without trenching for fiber or copper cables.
Outdoor Area Coverage
Effective for providing Wi-Fi coverage to outdoor spaces where omnidirectional antennas would waste signal energy or create interference issues.
Highlights
- Directional antenna design for focused signal coverage
- Dual-band operation at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- 8 dBi isotropic gain for extended range
- N-Type connector for secure RF connection
- Compatible with Cisco Aironet 1550 Series Outdoor Access Points
- Outdoor-rated for durable deployment
- Reduces interference through directional pattern
- Supports UHF and SHF frequency band types
Specifications
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Cisco Systems, Inc |
| Manufacturer Part Number | AIR-ANT2588P3M-N= |
| Brand Name | Cisco |
| Product Line | Aironet |
| Product Name | Aironet Antenna |
| Product Type | Antenna |
| Technical Information | |
| Directivity | Directional |
| Frequency Band Type | UHF,SHF |
| Operating Frequency Range | 2.4 GHz,5 GHz |
| Antenna Gain (Isotropic) | 8 dBi |
| Interfaces/Ports | |
| Connector Type | N-Type |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Application/Usage | Wireless Data Network,Outdoor |
| Compatibility | Cisco Aironet 1550 Series Outdoor Wireless Access Point |
FAQ
What wireless access points is this antenna compatible with?
This Cisco Aironet antenna is specifically designed for compatibility with the Cisco Aironet 1550 Series Outdoor Wireless Access Point. It uses an N-Type connector that matches the RF interface on these access points, ensuring proper impedance matching and signal transfer. The antenna is optimized for the electrical characteristics of the 1550 Series, providing reliable performance when deployed together in outdoor environments.
What are the benefits of a directional antenna versus omnidirectional?
Directional antennas concentrate signal energy in a specific direction, which provides several advantages over omnidirectional antennas that radiate equally in all directions. The focused pattern increases effective range in the targeted direction, reduces interference from unwanted sources, and minimizes signal spillover into adjacent areas. This makes directional antennas ideal for point-to-point links, sector coverage, and applications where controlled coverage is more important than 360-degree coverage.
Can this antenna be used for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks simultaneously?
Yes, the Cisco AIR-ANT2588P3M-N= antenna supports dual-band operation, meaning it can handle both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. This allows deployment in networks that utilize either or both frequency bands, providing flexibility for various wireless standards including 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax. The antenna's design accommodates the different wavelength characteristics of both bands while maintaining the directional radiation pattern across the supported frequency range.
What is the antenna gain and how does it affect performance?
This antenna has an isotropic gain of 8 dBi, which represents how much it amplifies signal strength compared to a theoretical isotropic radiator. The 8 dBi gain improves both transmit and receive performance, extending the effective range of the wireless link and enhancing signal penetration through obstacles. Higher gain antennas like this one are particularly valuable in outdoor deployments where signal attenuation over distance can impact connectivity quality.
Is this antenna suitable for permanent outdoor installation?
Yes, the Cisco Aironet AIR-ANT2588P3M-N= antenna is designed for outdoor deployment and can be installed permanently in exposed environments. Its construction materials and design account for weather factors such as rain, wind, and temperature variations. When properly mounted and connected with weather-resistant cabling, this antenna provides reliable long-term performance in outdoor wireless network installations.
What type of connector does this antenna use?
This antenna features an N-Type connector, which is a threaded RF connector commonly used in professional wireless equipment. N-Type connectors provide secure mechanical connection and excellent electrical performance at the frequencies this antenna supports (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). The connector type ensures compatibility with Cisco Aironet 1550 Series access points and maintains signal integrity with minimal loss at the connection point.