topic Re: Setting up Cisco AIR-LAP1142N - A - K9 in Wireless

Setting up Cisco AIR-LAP1142N - A - K9

Jonathan Carpenter — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 01:41:12 GMT

Hi,

I recently purchased a Cisco AirLAP 1142n ap used from Ebay. I have yet to figure out how to console in to implement some basic configuration. I have no idea what the ip address or SSID information is. My console cable is running from my iMac and works perfectly fine for my other Cisco devices. Consoling the WAP just gives a blank screen and after the WAP boots up it goes through a green, red, and amber color cycle. I have searched around online and still haven't figured out what the color cycle indicates. Does anyone know?

Thanks,

Jonathan

Re: Setting up Cisco AIR-LAP1142N - A - K9

Flavio Miranda — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 01:58:51 GMT

Hi @Jonathan Carpenter

That indicate that this AP is looking for a Wireless lan controller. This is not good bacause you need a standalone AP. This AP will not allow you to co figure anything without a WLC.

But, you should be able to see the information on screen. This is another problem.

It is possibe to convert AP from this mode to autonomous but it would require you to download the proper IOS. And, of couse, né able to access the device.

The problem of not accessin the AP is probaly related to the console cable. I had cable that was able to access any device but failed accessing an AP.

Re: Setting up Cisco AIR-LAP1142N - A - K9

Jonathan Carpenter — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 02:03:53 GMT

Thank you, this is becoming more clear. So I can convert my lightweight access point into an autonomous access point through an IOS upgrade IF I can get a successful console connection?

Re: Setting up Cisco AIR-LAP1142N - A - K9

Jonathan Carpenter — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 02:19:23 GMT

Can you run me through the process of how I would make a cisco ap autonomous?

Re: Setting up Cisco AIR-LAP1142N - A - K9

Flavio Miranda — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 02:20:34 GMT

Yes. As soon as you get access you can setup a TFTP server on your PC , put an IP address on the AP and convert it from capwap to autonomous.

You can use the command "capwap console cli" then, you can use the command "configure terminal" and to put an IP address use

interface bvi 0

ip add 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0 (Example)

This way you will be able to ping from PC to AP and vice-versa. AFter that, you are able to transfer an IOS to the AP.

But, after you succeed connecting to the AP let me know. Lets confirm if that AP is really a capwap AP as I am thinking it is.

Re: Setting up Cisco AIR-LAP1142N - A - K9

Flavio Miranda — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 02:22:10 GMT

answered above.

Re: Setting up Cisco AIR-LAP1142N - A - K9

Flavio Miranda — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 02:24:36 GMT

You may follow this guide

https://www.prowaretech.com/articles/current/information-technology/software/firmware/cisco-air-lap1142n-a-k9#!

Re: Setting up Cisco AIR-LAP1142N - A - K9

Jonathan Carpenter — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 02:27:07 GMT

This is great thank you!

Re: Setting up Cisco AIR-LAP1142N - A - K9

Rich R — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 12:40:09 GMT

As Flavio said Cisco APs are very fussy about console cables - they only work with certain cables - generally those using genuine (not counterfeit) FTDI chips will work.
This one works for me: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07MYQPYKR but other similar cables may too. Be sure to check the reviews for the specific cable you buy to make sure somebody has confirmed that it works with Cisco APs.

Re: Setting up Cisco AIR-LAP1142N - A - K9

Ayaz Ali — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 09:47:13 GMT

Hi @Flavio Miranda ,

I hope you’re doing well.

I need your help regarding a Cisco AP issue. I am trying to convert a Cisco AirLAP1142N series access point from lightweight mode to autonomous mode, but I am facing a problem with console access.

Current situation:

AP is powering on via PoE (power is confirmed)
LED status cycles through green, red, and amber continuously
When connecting through console (PuTTY on Windows, and screen/minicom on Linux), the terminal shows a blank screen
I have tried multiple inputs like Enter, Ctrl + Enter, Ctrl + C, etc., but no proper response
Tested with different console cables, but the issue still persists
Also tried different baud rates, but still getting a blank screen
Factory reset attempts did not resolve the issue

Because of this, I am unable to access the CLI or proceed with the mode conversion.

I am not sure whether this is:

A console communication issue, or
A firmware/boot/IOS issue with the AP

Could you please guide me on:

How to properly access the console in this case
How to troubleshoot the blank screen issue
The correct steps to convert this AP from lightweight to autonomous mode

I am a junior engineer and currently handling this alone, so your guidance would be really helpful.

Re: Setting up Cisco AIR-LAP1142N - A - K9

Flavio Miranda — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:03:19 GMT

Hello @Ayaz Ali

If you have the right terminal settings : 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, and no flow control

and you still can not see the information on the screen, you need to test different console cables. Not all console cables works with Cisco AP.

Re: Setting up Cisco AIR-LAP1142N - A - K9

Ayaz Ali — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:42:37 GMT

I have already tried different console cables, but I’m still getting the same result. First, I used the console cable from the first link , and then I tried the one from the second link.

Re: Setting up Cisco AIR-LAP1142N - A - K9

Flavio Miranda — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:17:50 GMT

Unfortunately, you need to test more cables. I dont have a specific model to share but I used to have one in the past that used to work in Access Points. But, I had to try a few before I get the right one.

On the Access Points side, there is not much you can do. Of course, you can also test with different Access Points to make sure the problem is not on the AP you are trying to access.

Re: Setting up Cisco AIR-LAP1142N - A - K9

Ayaz Ali — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:59:16 GMT

I will try. Thank you!