Cisco Cisco Aironet 3500i Access Point White Paper
Copyright © 2010 Miercom
Cisco CleanAir Competitive
Page 3
Executive Summary
Our independent third-party evaluation found Cisco CleanAir technology to be a comprehensive
and valuable solution for resolving interference problems caused by non-Wi-Fi sources of
interference in wireless networks.
and valuable solution for resolving interference problems caused by non-Wi-Fi sources of
interference in wireless networks.
Common non-Wi-Fi devices operating in the same radio spectrum as wireless networks can
cause significant degradation of user quality of experience, high latency, and in some cases,
complete disruption of the wireless network. This is due to the design of 802.11 as a polite
protocol that uses a listen-before-talk algorithm. This design can allow the channel to be
completely jammed by interference, resulting in dropped clients. The ability to identify and avoid
these types of interference is of great importance to network managers.
cause significant degradation of user quality of experience, high latency, and in some cases,
complete disruption of the wireless network. This is due to the design of 802.11 as a polite
protocol that uses a listen-before-talk algorithm. This design can allow the channel to be
completely jammed by interference, resulting in dropped clients. The ability to identify and avoid
these types of interference is of great importance to network managers.
Cisco CleanAir technology utilizes a custom radio ASIC in the access point to provide class-
leading spectrum analysis and interference mitigation tools not available in standard Wi-Fi
chipsets. These tools enhance the granularity of scanning resolution, and provide rapid
avoidance of poor channel conditions to protect the end user experience.
leading spectrum analysis and interference mitigation tools not available in standard Wi-Fi
chipsets. These tools enhance the granularity of scanning resolution, and provide rapid
avoidance of poor channel conditions to protect the end user experience.
We were pleased with the speed and accuracy of detection of various common sources of non-
Wi-Fi interference, and particularly with the level of actionable information provided to assist in
mitigation activities. Cisco CleanAir provided unique identifiers for each interference source,
displayed the level of severity and air quality, correctly classified the type of device, and mapped
the physical location of the source. The ability to identify and locate multiple simultaneous
sources of interference was impressive.
Wi-Fi interference, and particularly with the level of actionable information provided to assist in
mitigation activities. Cisco CleanAir provided unique identifiers for each interference source,
displayed the level of severity and air quality, correctly classified the type of device, and mapped
the physical location of the source. The ability to identify and locate multiple simultaneous
sources of interference was impressive.
CleanAir also demonstrated a unique advantage over competitors with self-healing by reliably
changing to a clean channel in less than a minute to avoid interference from sources as far as
100 feet away. Another benefit was its ability to detect rogue access points hiding on a non-
standard frequency that could pose a security threat to the network.
changing to a clean channel in less than a minute to avoid interference from sources as far as
100 feet away. Another benefit was its ability to detect rogue access points hiding on a non-
standard frequency that could pose a security threat to the network.
Vendors of competitive products did not actively participate in the testing included in this report.
However all vendors are afforded an opportunity to demonstrate their product in testing to our
labs if they disagree with any of the findings we presented.
However all vendors are afforded an opportunity to demonstrate their product in testing to our
labs if they disagree with any of the findings we presented.
Miercom is proud to present the Performance Verified Certification for the performance and
integration of interference mitigation features as demonstrated by Cisco CleanAir technology.
Rob Smithers
CEO
Miercom
integration of interference mitigation features as demonstrated by Cisco CleanAir technology.
Rob Smithers
CEO
Miercom