Zyxel WAC6103D-I: 802.11ac Dual Radio Dual-optimized Antenna 3x3 Access Point
Datasheet
Introduction
The Zyxel WAC6103D-I is a high-performance 3-stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi Access Point (AP) designed for flexible deployment and optimal wireless performance. It features a groundbreaking "Dual-optimized" antenna design, allowing it to adapt to either ceiling-mount or wall-mount installations, ensuring superior signal coverage regardless of placement. Its stylish, ultra-slim industrial design seamlessly integrates into modern environments.
Benefits
Superior performance with innovative "Dual-optimized" antenna
Unlike traditional APs with single static radiation patterns, the WAC6103D-I's "Dual-optimized" antenna provides two distinct signal coverage types. This flexibility allows installation technicians to switch between wall-mount and ceiling-mount patterns via a physical switch, optimizing signal coverage and preventing interference, especially when an AP designed for ceiling-mount is used in a wall-mount scenario. This ensures clients receive signals with expected range and avoids interference with other devices.
- Enterprise class 3x3 802.11ac AP supporting combined data rates of up to 1.75 Gbps.
- "Dual-optimized antenna" allows pattern optimization for wall- or ceiling-mount installations.
- Dynamic Channel Selection, Load Balancing, and Smart Client Steering ensure an optimal wireless experience.
- Stylish, ultra-slim ID design (32 mm height) blends perfectly into modern interior decorations.
- APFlex™ and Zyxel One Network utilities simplify deployment and management.
Design and Deployment
Ultra-slim, stylish exterior blends into environments
Inheriting the stylish honeycomb exterior design from the Zyxel WAC6500 Series, the WAC6103D-I features a low-profile white color that complements modern decor. Its compact and elegant design makes it suitable for various interior styles, appearing either outstanding or understated as needed.
Streamlined deployment tools save valuable time
The WAC6103D-I utilizes APFlex™ for simplified managed/standalone AP mode configuration and seamless integration into network environments, eliminating pre-installation preparation. The Zyxel Wireless Optimizer (ZWO) Utility assists IT managers with AP planning, coverage detection, and wireless health management. ZyMesh, Zyxel's proprietary protocol, enables easy creation of wireless mesh links for optimized management and enhanced reliability. These user-friendly tools reduce deployment time and improve response to network issues.
Zyxel One Network experience
Zyxel One Network simplifies network deployment, management, and troubleshooting, allowing users to focus on business priorities. It includes the Zyxel One Network Utility (ZON Utility) for instant network setup and Zyxel Smart Connect, which enables Zyxel networking equipment to recognize each other, facilitating remote maintenance. This redefines network integration across switches, Wi-Fi APs, and gateways.
Optimized wireless experience with advanced feature settings
The WAC6103D-I offers advanced wireless features for an optimized user experience. Dynamic Channel Selection (DCS) prevents co-channel and overlapping channel interference. Load Balancing limits the number of clients per AP. Smart Client Steering, including Band Select, Signal Threshold, and Band Balancing, ensures stable and reliable connections. The AP is certified with industrial-strength WPA2 enterprise protection and features Layer-2 isolation, providing consistent, uninterrupted, and secure wireless access.
Dual-optimized Antenna Details
The WAC6103D-I features an adjustable internal antenna with "just fit" pattern options optimized for wall- or ceiling-mount installations. The antenna pattern can be switched physically without rebooting the device. Administrators can also perform granular signal optimization via software configuration. This flexibility eliminates the need for antenna accessory selection and simplifies signal coverage adjustments.
Traditional vs. Dual-optimized Antenna Patterns
Traditional (Side View) - Pattern for wall-mount: Depicts a radiation pattern that is wide horizontally and narrow vertically, potentially causing interference with adjacent floors.
Diagram shows a wall-mounted AP with a wide horizontal signal spread and a narrow vertical spread, labeled "Interference" towards the ceiling and floor.
Dual-optimized (Side View) - Pattern for wall-mount: Shows an optimized pattern for wall mounting, with a more focused horizontal spread.
Diagram shows a wall-mounted AP with a more focused horizontal signal spread, indicating improved wall-mount performance.
Traditional (Top View) - Pattern for wall-mount: Illustrates a radiation pattern covering the front and sides of the AP, with less coverage directly behind.
Diagram shows a top-down view of a wall-mounted AP with a broad coverage area in front and to the sides, but limited coverage directly behind.
Dual-optimized (Top View) - Pattern for wall-mount: Presents an optimized pattern for wall mounting, offering a more balanced coverage distribution.
Diagram shows a top-down view of a wall-mounted AP with a more balanced signal distribution, optimized for wall placement.
Robust Hardware and RF Design
Fine art of RF design
The WAC6103D-I incorporates solid shielding frames to isolate RF circuits, mitigating RF noise and electromagnetic interference (EMI) while enhancing RF performance.
Solid capacitor for longevity
The use of all-solid capacitors provides up to a 6-times longer lifespan compared to electrolytic capacitors, ensuring better stability and reliability.
Application Diagram
The WAC6103D-I is depicted in various network scenarios:
- Hotel (Ceiling-mount): An NXC5500 Wireless LAN Controller manages the WAC6103D-I, which is connected via a GS2210-48HP PoE Switch. The switch connects to a USG1100 Unified Security Gateway, which links to the internet.
- Campus (Wall-mount): A USG1100 Unified Security Gateway connects to the internet. It links to a GS1920-24HP Smart Managed PoE Switch, which powers and connects the WAC6103D-I AP.
- SMB (Ceiling-mount): A USG1100 Unified Security Gateway connects to the internet. It links to a GS1920-24HP Smart Managed PoE Switch, which powers and connects the WAC6103D-I AP. A NXC2500 Wireless LAN Controller is also shown in the SMB diagram, suggesting centralized management capabilities.
Key network components illustrated include Internet, Unified Security Gateways (USG1100), PoE Switches (GS2210-48HP, GS1920-24HP), and Wireless LAN Controllers (NXC5500, NXC2500).
Specifications
| Model | WAC6103D-I |
|---|---|
| Product name | 802.11ac Dual Radio Dual-optimized Antenna 3x3 Access Point |
| Main Design | |
| Wireless frequency | 2.4 and 5 GHz |
| Radio | 2 |
| RF Specifications | |
| Frequency band | 2.4 GHz (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n) • USA (FCC): 2.412 to 2.462 GHz • Europe (ETSI): 2.412 to 2.472 GHz • Taiwan (TW): 2.412 to 2.462 GHz 5 GHz (IEEE 802.11 a/n/ac) • USA (FCC): 5.15 to 5.25 GHz; 5.725 to 5.850 GHz • European (ETSI): 5.15 to 5.35 GHz; 5.470 to 5.725 GHz • Taiwan (TW): 5.15 to 5.25 GHz; 5.725 to 5.850 GHz |
| 802.11n/ac premium features | • 3x3 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) with three spatial streams • Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC) • 20-, 40-, and 80-MHz channels • Packet aggregation: A-MPDU (Tx/Rx), A-MSDU (Tx/Rx) • Cyclic Delay diversity (CSD) support • Maximum Likelihood Demodulation (MLD) support • Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) support |
| Conducted transmit output power (dBm) | FCC 11b/g: 28 |
| FCC 11g/n: 28 | |
| FCC 11a: 28 | |
| FCC 11n/a (ac): 28 | |
| EU 11b/g: 20 | |
| EU 11g/n: 20 | |
| EU 11a: 21 | |
| EU 11n/a (ac): 26 | |
| Antenna system | Dual-optimized internal antenna |
| • Ceiling: 2.4 GHz 3 dBi; 5 GHz 4 dBi • Wall: 2.4 GHz 4 dBi; 5 GHz 5 dBi | |
| Support data rate | • 802.11a/g: 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 and 54 Mbps • 802.11b: 1, 2, 5.5 and 11 Mbps • 802.11n: up to 450 Mbps in MCS23 (40 MHz) • 802.11ac: up to 1300 Mbps in MCS9 (80 MHz) |
| Receive sensitivity | Min. Rx sensitivity to -102 dBm |
| Interfaces | |
| Number of 10/100/1000M LAN | 2 x switch ports |
| Console port | 4-Pin serial |
| PoE | Yes |
| PoE power draw | 12.48 W (802.3at PoE)* |
| WLAN Features | |
| WLAN maximum throughput | Up to 900 Mbps |
| Mesh AP (By License) | Yes |
| Mesh AP for multiple SSID with VLAN (through tunnel mode) | Yes |
| Fast roaming | Pre-authentication and PMK caching |
| * Max. power draw is 12.48 W. In extreme cases, the inrush current is greater than 802.3af limit, thus 802.3at PoE is required. | |
| Model | WAC6103D-I |
|---|---|
| Wireless Security | |
| WEP | Yes |
| WPA/WPA2-PSK | Yes |
| WPA/WPA2-Enterprise | Yes |
| WMM(Wi-Fi certified) | Yes |
| Wireless Security | |
| WLAN access control list | Yes |
| EAP types | EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, EAP-PEAP, EAP-FAST, EAP-AKA and EAP-SIM |
| IEEE 802.1X | Yes |
| Number of SSID | 16 |
| Web authentication* | Yes |
| MAC filtering | Yes |
| Layer-2 isolation | Yes |
| RADIUS authentication | Yes |
| Microsoft AD authentication* | Yes |
| LDAP authentication* | Yes |
| MAC authentication* | Yes |
| Rogue AP detection | Yes |
| Rogue AP containment | Yes |
| Network | |
| IPv6 host | Yes |
| VLANs | Yes |
| DHCP client | Yes |
| QoS | |
| WMM | Yes |
| WMM power save | Yes |
| DiffServ marking | Yes |
| Management | |
| ZON Utility | • Discovery of Zyxel switches, APs and gateways • Centralized and batch configurations • IP configuration • IP renew • Device reboot • Device locating • Firmware upgrade • Password configuration • Device factory reset • Web GUI access • One-click quick association with Zyxel AP Configurator (ZAC) |
| Smart Connect | • Neighbor device discovery • One-click remote management access to the neighboring Zyxel devices |
| Zyxel AP Configurator | • Batch AP configuration • Batch AP firmware upgrade • Batch AP profile backup |
| Zyxel Wireless Optimizer | • Wi-Fi AP planning • Wi-Fi coverage detection • Wireless health management |
| Standalone AP mode | Yes |
| Managed AP mode | Yes |
| CLI | Yes |
| Web UI | Yes |
| SNMP | v2c/v3 |
| * Supports when working with Zyxel NXC controller | |
Weather-Proof Mounting Option
Outdoor Enclosure
This weather-resistant enclosure allows the Zyxel indoor AP to be used outdoors in locations like parks, campuses, or poolside areas. It supports easy wall or pole mounting. The durable enclosure is designed to withstand temperatures from -20°C to 50°C, is waterproof with an IPX5 rating, and features UV-stabilized plastic for extended lifespan, making it a reliable weatherproof solution.
Features
- Compatible with various APs, including unified, cloud-managed, and standalone units.
- Wide operating temperature range: -20°C to 50°C.
- Compact size blends seamlessly into any environment.
- UV-stabilized plastic extends enclosure lifetime.
- Flexible mount design for wall or pole installation (pole mount kit sold separately).
- IPX5 rating ensures Zyxel indoor APs are weatherproof.
Specifications
| Model | Enclosure |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (WxDxH)(mm/in.) | 238.54 x 249.72 x 86.97 / 9.39 x 9.83 x 3.42 |
| Weight (kg/lb.) | 0.64 / 1.4 |
| Mounting options | Wall, Pole (pole mount kit sold separately) |
| Certified | IPX5 |
| Adjustability | Swivel +/-40°, Tilt +/-15° |
Compatibility List
- NWA1123-ACv2
- NWA5121-N
- NWA5121-NI
- NWA5123-AC
- NAP102
- NWA1123-AC PRO
- WAC6103D-I
- NAP203
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