The recommended distances for the Mesh backhaul is typically between 1000 to 4000 Ft as this assumes you are connecting a Root Mesh AP referred to as a "RAP" or Rooftop Access Point to a "MAP" Mesh Access Point (that's usually an AP mounted on say a telephone or street light pole using an Omni antenna).

The backhaul link can certainly go further if you aim the signal in a given direction (using a directional antenna).

However, when doing same, it does limit the options of the AP to "mesh" to only those APs within the area covered by the directional antenna.

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your reply, if you may have a link for a Cisco blueprint on Wireless mesh (Aironet 1500) installation, and Aironet 1400 bridge installation.

Do all the MAP (Mesh AP) have to be connected to same or one RAP (Root Mesh AP)?

Please reach out to your Cisco account team for blueprints, and installation guides.

On the second half of the question..

The MAPs (Mesh APs) can connect to different RAP (Root APs). A Root AP is simply an AP that has a wired connection back to the controller, a sort of "anchor point" for the mesh APs to form their mesh around.

You can have multiple RAPs or in some cases (a RAP) can have a "wireless" link back to the controller (using say a 1400 Bridge or a third party product) such as a Redline (WiMax Bridge). But typically the RAP is always directly wired to the controller via Ethernet unless there is a reason to do as I described above.

The 1500 series is designed to create a wireless cell for clients typically using 2.4 GHz (802.11b/g). Given most clients do not have an external antenna (their are simply wireless clients built into laptops) the range is limited to roughly 300-500 Ft from the client to the pole (Mesh AP).

Clients can exceed this range if the client is enhanced (using say an external antenna on a vehicle for example). But generally speaking it is short range, the client data is then bridged back to the POP via the integrated 5 GHz (or if public safety 4./9 GHz). This backhaul link (also serves to create the mesh network so recommended distances on the backhaul are typically 1000 to 4000 Ft (this allows the mesh APs to see other mesh APs).

Greater distances can be attained if directional antennas are used on the backhaul links. However if the requirement is a long haul (3-4 mile) Bridge link, you might want to look at products such as the 1300 and 1400 outdoor bridges as these types of longer links typically don't require meshing functionality.

You can also do a hybrid approach (using say the 1400 outdoor Bridge for a longer distance link) and then scale locally with mesh.

Yes you can use a pair of 1242 APs in Bridge mode to link between two buildings. Although the 1242 is not "weatherproof" it can certainly be located indoors using an antenna cable to get the antennas outside of the building.

The 1242 AP has many features in automomous mode Bridge, Workgroup Bridge, and in a new update it will also support a new mode called "Universal Workgroup Bridge" where the AP can act like a "wireless shim" for an Ethernet client.

For linking buildings together "Bridge mode" is preferred.

When an AP 1242 is converted to LWAPP mode (unified) it loses Bridge functionality, so for the purposes of linking buildings together I would simply run them as Bridges, in this mode, they will not be seen by a controller.

I am tasked on deploying Wi-Fi in one of our larger parks and would like to implement WAP that will function as a Bridge and a WAP at the same time. Can you recommend the type of WAP that I can use for this delpoyment that does not need a line of site for the Bridge mode?

Anytime you deploy wireless products that operate at very high frequencies like 2.4 and 5 GHz you really do need line of sight.

Failure to obtain line of sight sets you up for strange RF connection problems, for example I was in Georgia and was able to do a fairly long link through some GA Pine trees but up in Ohio one single maple tree branch completely cut out the signal. Things like this will happen to you without line of sight and it can vary with weather conditions as well (moisture content of trees) etc..

The 1300 Bridge product can also function as an AP, but once you attempt to use directional antennas (it will be much harder for clients to connect to same).

I'd also look at the 1500 mesh product but again line of sight really is required.

Sure the Aironet 1240 is a fine product for warehouse deployments. Take a look at this URL here

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6521/index.html

The overall indoor range (using the stock rubber dipole antenna and extended temperatures can be found at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6521/products_data_sheet0900aecd8031c844.html

Further distances can be attained by using external antennas, check out the antenna reference guide at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/wireless/ps469/products_data_sheet09186a008008883b.html

The 1240 is used in many warehouse deployments, including some very challenging "football field size freezers".

Fred

Thank you for your response regarding the 1500's. We have several WAPs installed in various models from 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400 and 1500 series in both outdoor and indoor deployments. Most of them are on different Vlan's located at various facilities. What is your recommendation as far as managing and monitoring these WAP's at a central location?