802.11ac Wave 2 support

Provides a theoretical connection rate of up to 2.6 Gbps per radio—roughly double the rates offered by today’s high-end 802.11ac access points.

High-density experience

Best-in-class RF architecture that provides high-performance coverage for a high density of client devices, giving the end user a seamless wireless experience. Features include custom hardware in 802.11ac Wave 2 radios, Cisco CleanAir^®, Cisco Client Link 4.0, cross-access point noise reduction, and an optimized client roaming experience.

Multiuser Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MU-MIMO) technology

Supporting three spatial streams, MU-MIMO enables access points to split spatial streams between client devices, to maximize throughput.

Multigigabit Ethernet support

Providing multiple gigabit uplink speeds of 2.5 Gbps and 5 Gbps in addition to 100-Mbps and 1-Gbps speeds. All speeds are supported on Category 5e cabling for an industry first, as well as 10GBASE-T (IEEE 802.3bz) cabling.

Flexible Radio Assignment

Allows the access points to intelligently determine the operating mode of serving radios based on the RF environment. The access points can operate in the following modes:

Dual 5-GHz radio support

Enables both radios to operate in 5-GHz client serving mode, allowing an industry-leading 5.2 Gbps (2 x 2.6 Gbps) over-the-air speed while increasing client capacity.

Smart antenna connector

An intelligent second physical antenna connector is included on 3800 Series models with an external antenna. This connector provides advanced network design flexibility for high-density and large open-area environments such as auditoriums, convention centers, libraries, cafeteria, and arenas/stadiums, allowing two sets of antennas to be connected and active on a single access point.

Modular architecture

Second-generation modular architecture first introduced by the 3600 Series access points. New side-mount connection allows companies to add and remove modules as needed without having to dismount the access point from the ceiling, further simplifying the customer’s time and dollars when performing network upgrades.

The new side-mount architecture allows for additional flexibility in the form factor of a 3800 Series module, and in the choice of solutions with integrated or even external antennas of their own.

We have doubled the amount of power available to 3800 Series modules from 9W to 18W, broadening the potential module applications and solutions.

160-MHz channel support

Supporting channels up to 160 MHz wide, Dynamic Bandwidth Selection allows the access point to dynamically switch between 20-, 40-, 80-, and 160-MHz channels, depending on the RF channel conditions, providing the industry’s best-performing wireless network.

Zero-impact Application Visibility and Control^*

Uses dedicated hardware acceleration to improve the performance of line-speed applications such as Cisco Application Visibility and Control.

Cisco ClientLink 4.0

Cisco ClientLink 4.0 technology improves downlink performance to all mobile devices, including one-, two-, and three-spatial-stream devices on 802.11a/b/g/n/ac while improving battery life on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Cisco CleanAir 160 MHz^*

Cisco CleanAir technology, enhanced with 160-MHz channel support, provides proactive, high-speed spectrum intelligence across 20-, 40-, 80-, and 160-MHz-wide channels to combat performance problems due to wireless interference.

Cross-access point noise reduction

A Cisco innovation that enables access points to intelligently collaborate in real time about RF conditions so that users connect with optimized signal quality and performance.

Optimized access point roaming

Helps ensure that client devices associate with the access point in their coverage range that offers the fastest data rate available.

Automatic link aggregation (LAG) support

802.3ad (Link Aggregation Control Protocol [LACP]) compliant, allowing both Ethernet interfaces to automatically enable LAG, increasing overall throughput to the access point.

Cisco Mobility Express

Flexible deployment mode through the Cisco Mobility Express solution is ideal for high density environments and can support up to 100 access points. Easy setup allows the 3800 Series access points to be deployed on networks without a physical controller.

Apple features

Apple and Cisco have responded to this challenge by partnering to create an optimal mobile experience for iOS devices on corporate networks based on Cisco technologies. Specifically, using new features in iOS 10 in combination with the latest software and hardware from Cisco, businesses can now more effectively use their network infrastructure to deliver an enhanced user experience across all business applications.

At the center of the collaboration is a unique handshake between Cisco WLAN and Apple devices. This handshake enables Cisco WLAN to provide an optimal Wi-Fi roaming experience to Apple devices. Additionally, Cisco WLAN trusts Apple devices and gives priority treatment for business-critical applications specified by the Apple device.