SAN JOSE, Calif., April 17, 2002 - Cisco Systems, Inc., today launched the Cisco Aironet 1200 Series Access Point® (AP) and 5 GHz IEEE 802.11a radios, delivering on the promise of an enterprise-ready Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) infrastructure that provides the performance, investment protection, security and manageability demanded by IS professionals. With a unique design that supports the simultaneous operation of dual radios, the Cisco Aironet 1200 Series AP protects existing customer investment in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b) networks while delivering a seamless migration path to Wi-Fi5 (IEEE 802.11a) and emerging technologies such as IEEE 802.11g. These new products join the industry-leading Cisco Aironet WLAN family including the award-winning Cisco Aironet 350 Series.

The modular design of the Cisco Aironet 1200 Series AP allows for both single- and dual-radio configurations for operation in both the 2.4 and 5 GHz unlicensed bands plus field upgradeability to modify these configurations as user requirements develop and the industry evolves. The factory standard version of the Cisco Aironet 1200 Series AP supports a single 802.11b radio module to accommodate Wi-Fi clients today. The Cisco Aironet 1200 Series AP also provides an additional slot for an 802.11a radio module. Customers can order either of these radio modules as factory-installed options or as separate modules for field installation. These radio modules can also be upgraded to support future technologies such as 802.11g as they become available.

With a 200 MHz Power PC processor and expanded memory capacity, the Cisco Aironet 1200 Series supports the operation of two 54 Mbps radios simultaneously and a 10/100 Ethernet interface, and can evolve to support new software features as they become available. By providing the ability to easily upgrade their radios to take advantage of new standards for higher performance and more robust security when available, customers can be confident of their investment in today's Cisco Aironet 1200 Series.

"As customers roll out innovative new intelligent WLAN services, they face two main challenges," said Chris Kozup, Senior Research Analyst for the Meta Group. "First is the ability to deliver higher performance to drive new applications and increase user efficiency. Second is to preserve their investment in WLAN infrastructure in a rapidly evolving environment." The Cisco Aironet 1200 Series AP and new 802.11a radios address both issues by offering a flexible and upgradeable Access Point platform that is designed to provide a migration path to higher performance wireless networks.

Cisco Continues to Drive Innovation: Cisco Aironet 1200 Series

An innovator and market share leader in wireless networking technology, Cisco offers the Cisco Aironet 1200 Series with the following enterprise-caliber features and benefits:

• Robust Security: Cisco Aironet has a proven track record for leading the industry with continuing security enhancements. With the Cisco Wireless Security Suite, network managers can confidently deploy a standards-based wireless solution that provides robust enterprise-class security and protection, with the ease of centralized management.
• Enterprise-Class Manageability: The Cisco Aironet 1200 Series AP, radio module and client radio solution simplify network management through integration with CiscoWorks and WaveLink's Mobile Manager and Avalanche, enabling comprehensive management of wireless networks and wireless enabled mobile devices.
• Flexible Deployment: The Cisco Aironet 1200 Series AP supports both in line power over Ethernet as well as local power to lower the cost and complexity of deployment. Customers can choose from multiple 2.4 GHz antennas to ensure optimal coverage for the intended site deployment. A flexible mounting system enables fast and easy installation in a variety of orientations in a wide range of facilities.
• Investment Protection: The Cisco Aironet 1200 Series preserves existing 802.11b investments while providing a smooth migration path to 802.11a and a range of future technologies like 802.11g and features such as security, virtual LANs and quality of service. The rugged metal case and broad operating temperature range provide for years of service and is designed for installation even in harsh environments such as factories and warehouses.

"The Cisco Aironet 1200 Series delivers proven Cisco wireless values such as enterprise-class security, performance, and manageability in a system that can seamlessly accommodate the emerging advances in WLAN technologies and standards," said Bill Rossi, vice president and general manager of Cisco's Wireless Networking Business Unit. "The Cisco Aironet 1200 Series AP and 802.11a radios announced today reinforce Cisco's commitment to deliver leading WLAN infrastructures and technologies. We will continue to integrate Cisco's WLAN technologies with our wired infrastructure solutions, extending our rich Internet heritage to the emerging Wireless Internet."

Cisco Showcases Total WLAN Solutions

Cisco also unveiled the Wireless Integrated Network Solutions (WINS) Lab, a place that gives prospective customers and solution providers the ability to view and test new WLAN applications with Cisco equipment. Solution providers benefit from technical, business, marketing and sales support provided by Cisco and WINS participants.

Service and Support

To support the WLAN networking life cycle, Cisco, through its partner program, offers enterprise customers industry-leading network services and support. Services include assessment, planning and design through global implementation as well as ongoing maintenance for existing WLANs.

Pricing and Availability

The Cisco Aironet 1200 Series AP, which features a factory standard 802.11b radio and available slot for the addition of an 802.11a radio module, has a U.S. list price of $999. The dual-band version, with both 802.11b and 802.11a radios, has a U.S. list price of $1499. The 802.11a client radio card has a U.S. list price of $229. The Cisco Aironet 1200 Series AP begins shipping this month. The dual-band version AP and 802.11a client radio card will be available in August, 2002.