topic Re: Converting C9120 Embedded Wireless Controller AP to a CAPWAP AP in Wireless

Converting C9120 Embedded Wireless Controller AP to a CAPWAP AP

Gilles Guillerm — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 09:18:59 GMT

Hello,

I have convert C9120 ap from Embededd WLC to CAPWAPP.

Unfortunatelly, I don't know if there was a factory reset or something else, but my AP are joining one local AP Embedded controller that I had already convert !

I have to convert once more the AP.

Is there a way to definitivelly fix the AP to CAPWAPP even if a factory reset is done ?

Thanks,

Regards,

Gilles

Re: Converting C9120 Embedded Wireless Controller AP to a CAPWAP AP

Mark Elsen — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 10:31:43 GMT

- FYI : https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/embedded-wireless-controller-on-catalyst-access-points/215303-embedded-wireless-controller-conversion.html#anc18

Re: Converting C9120 Embedded Wireless Controller AP to a CAPWAP AP

JPavonM — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 10:50:16 GMT

Yes the AP config is factory-reset after downgrading the AP from eWLC to CAPWAP, but the "problem" you are facing is that the AP is performing WLC discovery and it's finding the local AP with eWLC in the same subnet, and that method takes priority over any other discovery method (DHCP Opt 43, DNS).

FYI: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/5700/software/release/3e/consolidated/configuration-guide/b_multi_3e_5700_cg/b_multi_3e_5700_cg_chapter_01001011.html#reference_FD390EF718A44243BB6A1CFE3A199CDA

Re: Converting C9120 Embedded Wireless Controller AP to a CAPWAP AP

Gilles Guillerm — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 15:19:40 GMT

Yes, this is my problem ! if we are installing an AP with Embedded controller on the lan, each time an another AP will reboot, it can connect to the local controller and not to the centralized WLC ?

exept an ACL on each AP switch port, how can I get around ?

thanks

Re: Converting C9120 Embedded Wireless Controller AP to a CAPWAP AP

Mark Elsen — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 15:31:40 GMT

- Basically you can't have two controllers on the same LAN (even if one being EWC-based), consider it being not supported. The AP can always discover it with a 'capwap broadcast' (indeed) ,

Re: Converting C9120 Embedded Wireless Controller AP to a CAPWAP AP

JPavonM — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 15:50:44 GMT

Consider moving the local eWLC to another different subnet in the same site, or configuring all AP switchports on a management VLAN to isolate them from disconvering the eWLC on the same subnet.

Other than that, manualling primming the central WLC is another way of doing that, but I have not tested if under this scenario the AP will join the local eWLC as well.

Re: Converting C9120 Embedded Wireless Controller AP to a CAPWAP AP

Rich R — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 21:07:43 GMT

I've answered this a few times before (did you search?) but here we go again - completely re-flash the EWC AP to remove the EWC software using https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/catalyst-9120axi-access-point/217537-repairing-c9120-c9115-access-points-from.html

Also:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/embedded-wireless-controller-catalyst-access-points/white-paper-c11-743398.html#Conversion

Converting EWCs to CAPWAP using option 43

DHCP option 43 is a vendor-specific option and is used for providing WLC IP addresses to the access point. Using option 43 with a specific subtype option, you can have the EWC convert to CAPWAP and join a WLC appliance or virtual controller. After the AP receives DHCP option 43 and subtype 0xF2 at bootup, the AP type will be converted to CAPWAP, and the AP will follow the regular joining process.

The DHCP configuration on the switch is shown below.

Switch(dhcp-config)#option 43 hex F2056464645801

Re: Converting C9120 Embedded Wireless Controller AP to a CAPWAP AP

Gilles Guillerm — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 10:45:25 GMT

Hi,

it doesn't seem to be the same problem because the AP start booting in U-boot but can finish the boot process and can register to a WLC. It does not stay in "stuck in Bootup with 'Uncorrectable ECC Error' Displayed"

Thanks

Re: Converting C9120 Embedded Wireless Controller AP to a CAPWAP AP

Mark Elsen — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 11:21:10 GMT

> "stuck in Bootup with 'Uncorrectable ECC Error' Displayed"
- Consider that being a fatal hardware condition indicating that the access point should be replaced (RMA) ,

Re: Converting C9120 Embedded Wireless Controller AP to a CAPWAP AP

Rich R — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 00:17:22 GMT

> it doesn't seem to be the same problem because the AP start booting in U-boot but can finish the boot process

Nobody said your AP had that fault!

I said USE THAT PROCESS to re-flash your AP and REMOVE the EWC software so that it can NEVER start up as EWC again.

If you don't want to do that - fine - I was just suggesting a way to solve your problem but I guess you have a better way?