Cisco Aironet 3702E Wireless Access Point — 802.11ac 1.27 Gbps with 4x4 MIMO

Prepare your network for the demands of modern workloads with the Cisco Aironet 3702E Wireless Access Point. Engineered for enterprise-grade reliability and a true High Density Experience (HD Experience), this 802.11ac-capable AP delivers outstanding performance in crowded environments, from large office floors to university campuses and busy retail spaces. The 3702E combines Cisco’s trusted security, scalable management, and flexible deployment options to create a robust wireless foundation that can adapt to growing device densities, increasing bandwidth requirements, and evolving business needs. Whether you’re upgrading a campus-wide WLAN or expanding a service provider’s wireless footprint, the 3702E is designed to maximize coverage, minimize interference, and simplify administration through a unified, future-ready architecture.

• Industry-leading 4x4 MIMO with multiple spatial streams — The 3702E leverages four spatial streams and broad RF coverage to deliver high-throughput wireless access, supporting demanding applications such as HD video, real-time collaboration, and large file transfers. This design enhances client capacity, reduces congestion, and improves user experiences in high-density environments where traditional APs struggle.
• IEEE 802.11ac support for faster, smarter wireless — Built to meet the needs of modern networks, the 3702E supports the IEEE 802.11ac specification, enabling higher data rates, improved spectral efficiency, and better performance in environments with many devices. Its dual-band operation ensures compatibility with legacy clients while delivering premium performance for next-generation devices.
• HD Experience for high-density deployments — Cisco’s HD Experience is engineered to optimize performance in crowded spaces, balancing client distribution, airtime efficiency, and radio resource management. This makes the 3702E an excellent choice for campuses, airports, conference centers, and large office buildings where thousands of devices compete for airtime.
• Flexible mounting with external antennas — The 3702E is designed for flexible deployment with external antenna options, enabling precise coverage shaping and performance tuning in challenging spaces. Whether you need ceiling, wall, or corner mounting, the 3702E adapts to your architectural constraints while maximizing signal reach.
• Enterprise-grade security and centralized management — Built to meet rigorous security requirements, this AP supports robust authentication and encryption, plus seamless integration with Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers or Mobility Express for centralized policy enforcement, monitoring, and troubleshooting. The solution scales with your business, delivering consistent security and predictable performance.

Technical Details of Cisco Aironet 3702E

• Wireless standards: IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
• Aggregate data rate: up to 1.27 Gbps (theoretical maximum, depending on client distribution and RF conditions)
• Antennas and radio: 4x4 MIMO with three-spatial-stream architecture on select configurations; external antenna connectors for flexible deployment
• Frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz with configurable channel widths to optimize performance in dense environments
• Security: advanced encryption and authentication options, including WPA2-Enterprise, 802.1X, and other Cisco security features
• Management: compatibility with Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers and Mobility Express for scalable, centralized control
• Power: Power over Ethernet (IEEE 802.3af/at) support for simplified cabling and centralized power management
• Physical design: indoor ceiling- or wall-mount capable with mounting hardware compatible with multiple installation scenarios
• Deployment readiness: optimized for high-density venues and campuses where reliable throughput and predictable performance are essential

How to install Cisco Aironet 3702E

• Step 1: Plan your deployment — Assess the facility layout, determine optimal AP placement for coverage and density, and identify a PoE-enabled switch or injector to power the device without a local power source.
• Step 2: Prepare the enclosure — Choose the appropriate mounting option (ceiling, wall, or other suitable surface) and gather the required hardware for secure installation. Confirm environmental conditions meet indoor deployment guidelines.
• Step 3: Connect power and network — Run Cat5e/6 cable from the PoE-enabled switch or injector to the AP’s mounting location, ensuring cable management minimizes interference and supports future scaling.
• Step 4: Mount and secure — Attach the 3702E to the chosen mounting bracket, verify alignment, and secure discharge paths to prevent movement or vibration that could affect RF performance.
• Step 5: Basic configuration — Access the controller (or enable Mobility Express on the AP) to assign a management IP, set up SSIDs, and apply initial security policies. Create RF profiles to tailor channel width, power, and interference mitigation.
• Step 6: Policy and security — Define user access policies, WPA2-Enterprise settings, guest access controls, and network segmentation to protect sensitive resources while delivering seamless connectivity to authorized devices.
• Step 7: Fine-tune RF and density — Use controller-assisted tools to optimize transmit power, RF channel selection, and load balancing, especially in spaces with high device density or heavy application use.
• Step 8: Monitor and verify — Validate client associations, throughput, and coverage with Cisco’s monitoring dashboards. Check for interference, rogue devices, and unexpected RF behavior, then adjust profiles as needed.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the primary advantage of the Cisco Aironet 3702E in a dense environment? A: Its 4x4 MIMO architecture combined with HD Experience optimizes client capacity and throughput, delivering consistent performance even when hundreds of devices are connected simultaneously.
• Q: Is the 3702E backward compatible with older wireless standards? A: Yes. It supports mixed-mode operation across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, accommodating legacy devices while delivering high-speed performance for newer clients.
• Q: How can I manage this AP without a dedicated controller? A: The 3702E can be managed via Cisco Mobility Express for smaller deployments or integrated with Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers for centralized management across large networks.
• Q: What power options does the 3702E support? A: It supports Power over Ethernet (IEEE 802.3af/at) to simplify cabling and enable centralized power budgeting on your network switches.
• Q: Can I customize coverage with external antennas? A: Yes. External antenna connectors provide flexibility to shape coverage patterns and optimize performance in irregular spaces.
• Q: Is the 3702E suitable for campuses and airports? A: Absolutely. Its HD Experience design and scalable management make it ideal for high-density campuses, airports, large office complexes, and similar environments.
• Q: What kind of security features are included? A: The AP supports enterprise-grade security protocols, including WPA2-Enterprise and 802.1X, along with Cisco’s robust security framework for centralized policy enforcement.