AIR-WLC4402-25-K9 work with AIR-CAP3702I-A-K9 Access Points

[CVANWW]

Hi,

Looking to see if AIR-CAP3702I-A-K9 AP's will work with a AIR-WLC4402-25-K9 Wireless lan controller. 

Also are there any Aironet access points that dont need a WLC to operate? More of a one primary AP that controls the others?

Thanks 

[Flavio Miranda]

Hi

I dont think so. This AP start with  version 7.6.100.0 and the last WLC 4400 version is 7.  

"Also are there any Aironet access points that dont need a WLC to operate? More of a one primary AP that controls the others?"

Actually, all AP is able to operate without WLC. But, they need to have the proper software for that.

This is call modeiliby express.  This AIR-CAP3702I-A-K9  is able to work in Mobility Express software. You need to download it from cisco site and convert the AP to Mobility Express.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/technotes/8-4/b_cisco_mobility_express_8_4/b_Mobility_Express_Deployment_guide_chapter_0100.html 

[Rich R]

@Flavio Miranda you keep confusing autonomous IOS, Mobility Express and Embedded Wireless Controller on AP.  To be clear ...

Older APs (up to 3700 series) like yours @CVANWW - which run Cisco IOS - can run an autonomous IOS image which makes them completely standalone.

https://software.cisco.com/download/home/285029865/type/284180979/release/15.3.3-JPM

Be warned there are some well known bugs in this recent IOS code with some pages on the GUI not working (404 errors) so you'll need to use the IOS command line to configure some things when they don't work on the GUI.  This software is end of software maintenance so fixes are few and far between and most bugs won't ever get fixed now.

See @Rasika Nayanajith guide at https://mrncciew.com/2012/10/20/lightweight-to-autonomous-conversion/ for converting from CAPWAP to autonomous.

Cisco abandoned autonomous with the AC Wave 2 APs (1800/2800/3800 etc) which run Mobility Express - a cut down version of AireOS WLC which can also function in standalone mode.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/enterprise-networks/mobility-express/q-and-a-c67-734485.html

Beginning with the Catalyst 9000 series APs Cisco replaced ME with EWC for AP which is an AP version of the 9800 series IOS-XE WLC

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/wireless/embedded-wireless-controller-on-catalyst-access-points/index.html

Back to your original questions:

- Also are there any Aironet access points that dont need a WLC to operate?

Yes - any of the 3 options - autonomous, ME and EWC

More of a one primary AP that controls the others?

For that you need ME.  Your 3702 cannot run ME.  But it could be a subordinate AP to an ME controller.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/compatibility/matrix/compatibility-matrix.html#mobility_express_solution

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/access_point/mob_exp/810/release_notes/b_ME_RN_810.html#me-supp-ap

[CVANWW]

Thank you for the great information! Do you know what versions of WLC's work with the AIR-CAP3702I-A-K9? Or is there a chart?

[Rich R]

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/compatibility/matrix/compatibility-matrix.html#ctr-ap_support