AIR-CAP3702I-E-K9 Standalone Firmware - Web GUI is very slow (and partially buggy so it seems)

[jmar83]

Hi there!

I have some AIR-CAP3702I-E-K9 Access Points and they was in infracstructure mode. Currently, i have neither the software nor the hard to run them in infrastructure mode. Because of that, i've flased the firmware to standalone. (the firmware archvies "k9w7" are the standalone ones, when i'm right)

BUT:

1.) Most USB-RS232 adapters are NOT useable. Why? Maybe it's a synchroneous / asynchroneous problem? All configuration data (Baud, stop bits etc.) was 100% correctly. Then, i used a pure RS232 interface from my server's mainboard. After that it was working with different terminal software. (i've tested putty & realterm, but i also think i will work with microsoft hyperterminal. (?))

2.) The TFTP server i used was "tftpd64" - with that, i was able to flash them (before flashing, they was resetted, see my commands below)

3.) After a successful flash (that least when i looked at the terminal messages), the Web GUI was not available yet. Why? Is that the default behavior for standalone firmware? To configure standlone ones via terminal. (Does not make a a lot of sense, but anyway...)

4.) After enabling the Web GUI with some terminal commands, i saw that the Web GUI is PAINFULLY SLOW and partially buggy (does not save, 404 and 403 errors in background AJAX requests (seen on chome developer tools). Why?



The commands i used:

Cleanup before reset, maybe some files are persistant and the reset will not delete them:
- delete flash:private-multiple-fs

Then the reset:
- reset (then anwser yes with "y")

Then login:
- en (With default password "Cisco" after reset)

Then leave the IP config by DHCP:
- so NO ip config commands applied, i've got 192.168.0.147

Then flash the standalone firmware via TFTP, i tried different versions and i've completed all steps described here for each firmware:
- archive download-sw /force-reload /overwrite tftp://192.168.0.159/ap3g2-k9w7-tar.153-3.JPJ4.tar
- archive download-sw /force-reload /overwrite tftp://192.168.0.159/ap3g1-k9w7-tar.152-4.JA1.tar
- archive download-sw /force-reload /overwrite tftp://192.168.0.159/ap3g2-k9w7-tar.152-4.JB6.tar


Then enable the Web GUI:

Go to network config in terminal:
- config t

Define Web GUI username with:

- ip http client username admin

Define Web GUI Password with:
- ip http client password admin
Enable Web GUI security via that login data:
- enable secret admin

Then enabling the Web GUI:
- ip http server


Then exit the "config t"-mode (not really relevant for my issue., but however):
- end


All in all: The device is NOT useable with that, so what's the reason for that very very strange Web GUI behavior (described on top).

1.) Is it a hardware issue?

2.) Are the versions i used alll buggy and/or broken?

3.) Are there some other components / parts to update (modular firmware with different parts/components), more than the files i've lisled on the on the TFTP download command?


Thanks in advance for your feedback(s). If you need more informations, so please don't hesitate to contact me.


With best regards from Switzerland,

Jan

[patoberli · Accepted solution]

1. For RS-232 disable flow control, then it should work with basically all adapters. 

3. Don't remember, but I think the interface should be available via http://ipaddress (not https)

4. yes the interface is slow and is buggy. There are various threads about not saving settings. I think the firmwares > 1 year old should work correct. 

[jmar83]

Thank you for your feedback.

- Flow control was off - so i used neither the "hardware" one, nor the "xon/off" (software one)

- The adapter i tested was from a.) FTDI (well known manufactor with propoducts in good quality) and b.) a CH340 from Jiangsu Qinheng Co., Ltd.

- No, but after executing the commands on "Then enable the Web GUI" , it's available. Before, it's not. And i also need to set login credentials, otherwise the command "ip http server" will not be applied.

- OK, then i will try it again with a firmware with a max. age of middle 2019

Will test that things ASAP, thanks again!


Best regards,

Jan

[jmar83]

One question more:

"yes the interface is slow and is buggy. There are various threads about not saving settings. I think the firmwares > 1 year old should work correct."

Maybe somebody can tell me a concrete version, the age doesn't really matter. Even when it's 2-3 years old. If it's stable, my problems are solved i think.

Thanks in advance.

With best regards,

Jan