Chapter 1 Overview; Product Terminology; Autonomous Access Points - Cisco Aironet 1240AG Series Hardware Installation Manual

Overview
The Cisco Aironet 1240AG Series Access Point is available in autonomous and lightweight
configurations. The autonomous access points can support standalone network configurations with all
configuration settings maintained within the access points. The lightweight access points operate in
conjunction with a Cisco wireless LAN controller with all configuration information maintained within
the controller.

Product Terminology

The following terms refer to the autonomous and lightweight products:
•
•
•
•
•

Autonomous Access Points

Cisco Aironet 1240AG Series Access Point (AIR-AP1242AG or AIR-AP1242G) provides a secure,
affordable, and easy-to-use wireless LAN solution that combines mobility and flexibility with the
enterprise-class features required by networking professionals. With a management system based on
Cisco IOS software, the 1240AG series is a Wi-Fi certified, wireless LAN transceiver.
The autonomous 1242AG access point contains two integrated radios: a 2.4-GHz radio (IEEE 802.11g)
and a 5-GHz radio (IEEE 801.11a). The autonomous 1242G access point contains a single integrated
radio: a 2.4-GHz radio (IEEE 802.11g).
The access point serves as the connection point between wireless and wired networks or as the center
point of a stand-alone wireless network. In large installations, wireless users within radio range of an
access point can roam throughout a facility while maintaining seamless, uninterrupted access to the
network.
You can configure and monitor the access point using the command-line interface (CLI), the
browser-based management system, or Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).
OL-8371-05
The term access point describes both autonomous and lightweight products.
The term autonomous access point describes only the autonomous product.
The term lightweight access point describs only the lightweight product.
The term access point describes a product operating as an access point.
The term bridge describes a product operating as a bridge.
C H A P T E R
Cisco Aironet 1240AG Series Access Point Hardware Installation Guide
1
1-1