What is AIR-ANT2588P3M-N? Cisco Outdoor Antenna Features, Range, and Deployment Best Practices

AIR-ANT2588P3M-N= Overview

The ​​AIR-ANT2588P3M-N=​​ is a Cisco ​​high-gain directional antenna​​ optimized for outdoor wireless deployments requiring extended range and interference mitigation. Designed for Cisco Aironet 1560 and 1570 Series outdoor access points, it operates in the 5 GHz band with a focused beamwidth, ideal for point-to-point or point-to-multipoint applications.

Technical Specifications and Design

• ​​Frequency Range​​: 4.9–5.85 GHz (5 GHz UNII bands)
• ​​Gain​​: 8 dBi (horizontal) / 14 dBi (vertical)
• ​​Beamwidth​​: 75° horizontal × 15° vertical
• ​​Polarization​​: Dual-slant 45° for 2×2 MIMO support
• ​​Durability​​: IP67-rated housing, UV-resistant radome, and corrosion-resistant mounting hardware

Key Applications and Use Cases

​​1. Long-Range Backhaul Links​​
Deploy for ​​up to 7-mile line-of-sight connectivity​​ between buildings, towers, or remote sites, minimizing the need for additional infrastructure.

​​2. Campus-Wide Coverage​​
Focus signals across university campuses or corporate parks to avoid oversaturating non-target areas.

​​3. Industrial Surveillance​​
Provide stable video feeds for outdoor security cameras or drone control systems in rugged environments.

Addressing Common User Questions

​​Q: Is this antenna compatible with 2.4 GHz devices?​​
No. The AIR-ANT2588P3M-N= is exclusively designed for 5 GHz operations, which reduces congestion and supports higher throughput.

​​Q: Can it handle heavy rain or snow?​​
Yes. The IP67 rating ensures protection against moisture ingress, while the radome prevents ice buildup on the antenna elements.

​​Q: What mounting hardware is included?​​
The kit includes a ​​universal pole/wall mount​​ with adjustable tilt (0°–15°) for precise alignment.

Performance Considerations

• ​​Interference Mitigation​​: The narrow vertical beamwidth reduces ground reflection and multi-path interference in hilly terrain.
• ​​Regulatory Compliance​​: FCC/ETSI certifications ensure adherence to regional power and frequency regulations.
• ​​Cable Loss​​: Use Cisco’s low-loss CAB-ANTENNA-CABLE-3M to minimize signal degradation over extended runs.

Where to Purchase

For verified Cisco AIR-ANT2588P3M-N= units with lifetime technical support, visit ​​ITMALL’s Cisco antenna inventory​​. Their refurbished options include full Cisco firmware compatibility testing.

Field-Tested Perspective

In a recent deployment for a mountainous utility network, this antenna’s vertical beam focus proved critical for bypassing terrain obstructions. However, alignment requires a spectrum analyzer—eyeballing it leads to subpar results. While cheaper alternatives exist, ITMALL’s certified refurbished kits ensure connector integrity, which is vital for maintaining Cisco’s 99.9% uptime guarantees. For mission-critical outdoor links, this antenna is a no-compromise choice.