Solved: Cisco Catalyst 3850

moviesvl · ‎03-10-2017

Hi there,

I'm totally uninformed about the subject and also I'm quite stupid, so I do not understand one thing and I need to know it:

Is Cisco Catalyst 3850 switch wireless device, or is it not? Does it have built in hardware for emitting and receiving radio frequencies?

If it does not, if it is strictly wired device, could someone please point me to the technical specification that makes that fact clearly obvious.

If however 3850 is capable of transferring data over radio frequencies, could someone please point me to the technical spec that makes that fact clear and obvious?

I need this info for the purpose of import of this device and duty rates which vary in regard to above difference.

Thank you in advance.

Vladan

pematthe · ‎03-10-2017

The 3850 (and 3650) are classified as Unified Access switches. That means they have a wireless (WLAN) and wired (LAN) capability.

That translates to being suitable as a switch and a Wireless LAN Controller for Access Points. It has no radio capability in its own right, but can act as command and control for Cisco access points. It is APs that do the radio (wifi) bit.

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/catalyst-3850-series-switches/index.html

View solution in original post

pematthe · ‎03-10-2017

The 3850 (and 3650) are classified as Unified Access switches. That means they have a wireless (WLAN) and wired (LAN) capability.

That translates to being suitable as a switch and a Wireless LAN Controller for Access Points. It has no radio capability in its own right, but can act as command and control for Cisco access points. It is APs that do the radio (wifi) bit.

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/catalyst-3850-series-switches/index.html

moviesvl · ‎03-10-2017

Penmatthe,

thank you for your prompt answer.

Now if you could help me some more ...

When customs officer searches the web for 3850, he will see "wireless" written all over the place.

Is there some specific piece of data can I show to an uninformed layman, who's only intention is to take some money from me if the device has wireless capability, so they believe me 3850 is not of that kind.

pematthe · ‎03-10-2017

Apart from printing out a copy of the 3850 data sheet for the customs man to read, there isn't much. I do not know of any Cisco document that says "this box has no radio capability"

Compare an AP data sheet with all the RF, power, regulatory and radio capabilities with the 3850 data sheet which primarily focusses on switch functions.

It is worth noting that the WLC part of the switch doesn't do anything if there is no license applied (as far as I know) With out a license, it is just a switch.

moviesvl · ‎03-10-2017

Thank You. This was helpful.

moviesvl · ‎03-20-2017

Penmatthe,

sorry to disturb you again, but could you please tell me if the same reasoning apply to

AIR-CT5508 wireless Controller,

is that device also not wireless, or maybe that one is wireless.

Brgds,

Vladan