Can APs with mobility images be used with WLCs?

[aeccles]

We have some of the AIR-AP3802I-B-K9C APs that come with a Mobility Express image on them.  If I connect these to a network with a WLC 5508, will the APs discover the controller and download a new  image from the controller and work, or do I have to manually remove and add a new image to them?

Thanks!

[Mikey Boy]

Hi, you need to convert the mobility express AP to CAPWAP. From the CLI:

ap-type capwap

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/access_point/mob_exp/82/user_guide/b_ME_User_Guide_82/appendix.html#topic_A575EE4B2A054DE5BAF1931A7D384DB5

[aeccles]

Thanks for the link to the article - one follow up question.

The process from the link says to:

1. Connect to the Console Port, Telnet or SSH to the AP.
2. Login to the Mobility Express controller console.
3. In the Mobility Express controller console, use the command apciscoshell to connect to the AP console.
4. Login to the AP console using the username Cisco and password Cisco. Both are case-sensitive.
5. Enter enable.
6. Enter the command ap-type capwap, and confirm .

We never set these APs up, and are not familiar with Mobility Express.  So I'm not sure what is entailed with steps 2 and 3.  Do you know how you log into the "Mobility Express controller console"?  Is that on the AP itself?  Username/Password?  Does anything need to be setup elsewhere?

Thanks again!

[Mikey Boy]

Hi, you can use a standard Cisco console cable and connect to the blue port on the back of the AP.

If you don't have one you can ssh into the IP address of the mobility controller. This will ask you for a username and password.

Once entered follow the commands in the guide, nothing else needed then to allow them to search for a WLC using capwap. 

Regards

[aeccles]

Is the mobility controller embedded in the AP or something separate?

[Mikey Boy]

If you know the management IP address for the APs then that is the controller one that you are logging into.