303 Series

Aruba 303 Series indoor Wi-Fi 5 access point

The affordable 303 Series (802.11ac Wave 2) campus access point delivers high-performance to lower-density environments.

Details and specifications for the Aruba 303 Series APs

Specifications

Unique Benefits
  • Unified AP – deploy with or without controller
    • The 303 Series access points can be deployed in either controller-based (ArubaOS) or controller-less (InstantOS) deployment mode
  • Dual Radio 2×2 802.11ac access point with Multi-User MIMO (wave 2)
    • Supports up to 867Mbps in the 5GHz band (with 2SS/VHT80 client devices) and up to 300Mbps in the 2.4GHz band (with 2SS/HT40 clients)
    • Backwards compatible with 100/1000Base-T
  • Built-in Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) radio
    • Enables location based services with BLE-enabled mobile devices receiving signals from multiple Aruba Beacons at the same time
    • Enables asset tracking when used with Aruba Asset Tags
  • Advanced Cellular Coexistence (ACC)
    • Minimizes interference from 3G/4G cellular networks, distributed antenna systems and commercial small cell/femtocell equipment
  • Quality of service for unified communications applications
    • Supports priority handling and policy enforcement for unified communication apps, including Skype for Business with encrypted videoconferencing, voice, chat and desktop sharing
  • Aruba AppRF technology leverages deep packet inspection to classify and block, prioritize or limit bandwidth for over 1,500 enterprise apps or groups of apps
  • RF Management
    • Adaptive Radio Management (ARM) technology automatically assigns channel and power settings, provides airtime fairness and ensures that APs stay clear of all sources of RF interference to deliver reliable, high-performance WLANs
    • The Aruba 303 Series Access Points can be configured to provide part-time or dedicated air monitoring for spectrum analysis and wireless intrusion protection, VPN tunnels to extend remote locations to corporate resources, and wireless mesh connections where Ethernet drops are not available
  • Spectrum analysis
    • Capable of part-time or dedicated air monitoring, the spectrum analyzer remotely scans the 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio bands to identify sources of RF interference from HT20 through VHT80 operation
  • Security
    • Integrated wireless intrusion protection offers threat protection and mitigation, and eliminates the need for separate RF sensors and security appliances
    • IP reputation and security services identify, classify, and block malicious files, URLs and IPs, providing comprehensive protection against advanced online threats
    • Integrated Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for secure storage of credentials and keys
Choose Your Operating Mode
  • The Aruba 303 Series Access Points offer a choice of deployment and operating modes to meet your unique management and deployment requirements:
    • The 303 Series AP is a unified AP that supports both controller-based and controller-less deployment modes, providing maximum flexibility.
    • Controller-based mode – When deployed in conjunction with an Aruba Mobility Controller, Aruba 303 Series Access Points offer centralized configuration, data encryption, policy enforcement and network services, as well as distributed and centralized traffic forwarding.
    • Controller-less (Instant) mode – The controller function is virtualized in a cluster of APs in Instant mode. As the network grows and/or requirements change, Instant deployments can easily migrate to controller-based mode.
    • Remote AP (RAP) mode for branch deployments
    • Air monitor (AM) for wireless IDS, rogue detection and containment
    • Spectrum analyzer (SA), dedicated or hybrid, for identifying sources of RF interference
    • Secure enterprise mesh portal or point
  • For large installations across multiple sites, the Aruba Activate service significantly reduces deployment time by automating device provisioning, firmware upgrades, and inventory management. With Aruba Activate, the Instant APs are factory-shipped to any site and configure themselves when powered up.
Specifications
  • Hardware Variants
    • AP-303 models: single Ethernet
    • AP-303P models: second Ethernet with PoE out
Wi-Fi Radio Specifications
  • AP type: Indoor, dual radio, 5GHz 802.11ac 2×2 MIMO and 2.4GHz 802.11n 2×2 MIMO
  • 5GHz (radio 0):
    • Two spatial stream Single User (SU) MIMO for up to 867Mbps wireless data rate to individual 2SS VHT80 client devices
    • Two spatial stream Multi User (MU) MIMO for up to 867Mbps wireless data rate to two 1SS MU-MIMO capable client devices simultaneously
  • 2.4GHz (radio 1):
    • Two spatial stream Single User (SU) MIMO for up to 300Mbps wireless data rate to individual 2SS HT40 client devices
  • Support for up to 256 associated client devices per radio, and up to 16 BSSIDs per radio
  • Supported frequency bands (country-specific restrictions apply):
    • 2.400 to 2.4835GHz
    • 5.150 to 5.250GHz
    • 5.250 to 5.350GHz
    • 5.470 to 5.725GHz
    • 5.725 to 5.850GHz
  • Available channels: Dependent on configured regulatory domain
  • Dynamic frequency selection (DFS) optimizes the use of available RF spectrum
  • Supported radio technologies:
    • 802.11b: Direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS)
    • 802.11a/g/n/ac: Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM)
  • Supported modulation types:
    • 802.11b: BPSK, QPSK, CCK
    • 802.11a/g/n/ac: BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, 256-QAM
  • Transmit power:
    • Configurable in increments of 0.5dBm
  • Maximum (aggregate, conducted total) transmit power (limited by local regulatory requirements):
    • 2.4GHz band: +21dBm (18dBm per chain)
    • 5GHz band: +21dBm (18dBm per chain)
    • Note: Conducted transmit power levels exclude antenna gain. For total (EIRP) transmit power, add antenna gain.
  • Advanced Cellular Coexistence (ACC) minimizes the impact of interference from cellular networks
  • Maximum ratio combining (MRC) for improved receiver performance
  • Cyclic delay/shift diversity (CDD/CSD) for improved downlink RF performance
  • Short guard interval for 20MHz, 40MHz and 80MHz channels
  • Space-time block coding (STBC) for increased range and improved reception
  • Low-density parity check (LDPC) for high-efficiency error correction and increased throughput
  • Transmit beam-forming (TxBF) for increased signal reliability and range
  • Supported data rates (Mbps):
    • 802.11b: 1, 2, 5.5, 11
    • 802.11a/g: 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54
    • 802.11n: 6.5 to 300 (MCS0 to MCS15)
    • 802.11ac: 6.5 to 867 (MCS0 to MCS9, NSS = 1 to 2)
    • 802.11n high-throughput (HT) support: HT20/40
    • 802.11ac very high throughput (VHT) support: VHT20/40/80
    • 802.11n/ac packet aggregation: A-MPDU, A-MSDU
Wi-Fi Antennas
  • AP-303: Internal antenna models
    • Two vertically polarized dual-band downtilt omni-directional antennas for 2×2 MIMO with peak antenna gain of 3.3dBi (2.4GHz) and 5.9dBi (5GHz) per antenna.
    • The antennas are optimized for horizontal ceiling mounted orientation of the AP. The downtilt angle for maximum gain is roughly 30 degrees.
    • Combining the patterns of both antennas per radio, the peak gain of the average (effective) pattern is 2.1dBi in 2.4GHz and 4.6dBi in 5GHz.
Other Interfaces
  • E0: One 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet network interface (RJ-45)
    • Auto-sensing link speed and MDI/MDX
    • POE-PD: 48Vdc (nominal) 802.3af POE
  • E1 (AP-303P models only): One 10/100/1000BASE-T
  • Radio status – Zigbee 802.15.4 radio (AP-303P models only)
  • DC power interface, accepts 2.1/5.5-mm center-positive circular plug with 9.5-mm length
  • Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio
    • Up to 3dBm transmit power (class 2) and -93dBm receive sensitivity
    • Integrated vertically polarized omnidirectional antenna with roughly 30 degrees downtilt and peak gain of 4.5dBi
  • Visual indicators (tri-color LEDs): for System and Radio status
  • Reset button: factory reset (during device power-up), LED mode control (normal/off)
  • Serial console interface (proprietary, µUSB physical jack)
  • Kensington security slot
Power Sources and Consumption
  • The AP supports direct DC power and Power over Ethernet (PoE)
    • When both power sources are available, DC power takes priority over PoE
    • Power sources are sold separately
  • AP-303 models:
    • Direct DC source: 12Vdc nominal, +/- 5%
    • DC power interface accepts 2.1/5.5-mm center-positive circular plug with 9.5-mm length
    • Power over Ethernet (PoE): 48Vdc (nominal) 802.3af compliant source
    • Maximum (worst-case) power consumption: 10.1W (PoE) or 8.8W (DC)
    • Maximum (worst-case) power consumption in idle mode: 4.2W (PoE) or 4.0W (DC)
  • AP-303P models:
    • Direct DC source: 48Vdc nominal, +/- 5%
    • DC power interface accepts 1.35/3.5-mm center-positive circular plug with 9.5-mm length
    • Power over Ethernet (PoE-PD) on E0: 48Vdc (nominal) 802.3af/at/bt compliant source
    • PoE-PSE function on E1 disabled when powered by 802.3af PoE
    • Maximum (worst-case) power consumption: 11.3 (PoE) or 11.5 (DC)
    • Maximum (worst-case) power consumption in idle mode: 6.8 (PoE) or 7.0 (DC)
    • Power consumption numbers exclude power to support PoE-PSE function on E1
Mounting
  • The AP ships with a (black) mount clips to attach to a 9/16-inch or 15/16-inch flat T-bar drop-tile ceiling.
  • Several optional mount kits are available to attach the AP to a variety of surfaces.
Mechanical
  • Dimensions and weight (unit, excluding mount accessories):
    • 150mm (W) x 150mm (D) x 35mm (H) or 5.9″ (W) x 5.9″ (D) x 1.4″ (H)
    • 260g or 9.2oz
  • Dimensions and weight (shipping):
    • 190mm (W) x 180mm (D) x 60mm (H) or 7.4″ (W) x 7.0″ (D) x 2.4″ (H)
    • 410g or 14.5oz
Environmental
  • Operating:
    • Temperature: 0° C to +40° C (+32° F to +104° F)
    • Humidity: 5% to 93% non-condensing
  • Storage and transportation:
    • Temperature: -40° C to +70° C (-40° F to +158° F)
Regulatory
  • FCC/ISED
  • CE Marked
  • RED Directive 2014/53/EU
  • EMC Directive 2014/30/EU
  • Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU
  • UL/IEC/EN 60950
  • EN 60601-1-1 and EN 60601-1-2
  • For more country-specific regulatory information and approvals, please see your Aruba representative.
Regulatory Model Numbers
  • AP-303: APIN0303
Reliability
  • MTBF: 795khrs (91yrs) at +25C operating temperature
Certifications
  • CB Scheme Safety, cTUVus
  • UL2043 plenum rating
  • Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) certified 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
  • Passpoint® (Release 2) with ArubaOS and Instant 8.3+
Warranty
  • Aruba limited lifetime warranty
Minimum Software Version
  • AP-303 models: ArubaOS & Aruba InstantOS 8.3.0.0
  • AP-303P models: ArubaOS & Aruba InstantOS 8.4.0.0