The Cisco Aironet 1400 Series Wireless Bridge is a high-performance 801.11a wireless bridge designed to connect multiple LANs in a metropolitan area . Building a metropolitan area wireless infrastructure with the 1400 Series Wireless Bridge provides deployment personnel with a flexible, easy to use solution that meets the security requirements of wide area networking professionals. Designed to be a cost-effective alternative to leased lines, it is engineered specifically for harsh outdoor environments . The features of the 1400 include:

• Support for both point-to-point or point-to-multipoint configurations
• Support data rates up to 54 Mbps
• Enhanced security mechanisms based on 802.11i standards
• Rugged enclosure optimized for harsh outdoor environments with extended operating temperature range
• Integrated or optional external antennas for flexibility in deployment

The Cisco Aironet 1400 Series Wireless Bridge can be used to provide either :

• the sole connection
• the primary connection with an additional technology such as a T1 line providing redundancy, or
• a back-up solution for additional resiliency in conjunction with other technologies such as fiber optics.

The high-speed links between the wireless bridges deliver throughput several times faster than E1/T1 lines for a fraction of the cost, eliminating the need for expensive leased lines or difficult-to-install fiber-optic cable. Because bridges have no recurring charges, savings on leased-line services quickly pay for the initial hardware investment. The 1400 Series with its 54 Mbps theoretical throughput capability connects discrete sites into a single LAN at speeds much greater than leased lines, even when they are separated by obstacles such as freeways, railroads, or bodies of water that are practically insurmountable using copper or fiber-optic cable. Data rates of 54 Mbps can be enabled for point-to-point links up to 7.5 miles, and for point-to-multipoint links up to 2 miles. Aggregate throughput can be obtained in excess of 28 Mbps. Also, by using higher gain antennas or lower data rates, ranges in excess of 20 miles point-to-point can be covered.