C3802I not joint ME mode itself

[gtstech]

[*02/27/2025 09:37:32.7362] CAPWAP State: Join
[*02/27/2025 09:37:32.8368] Sending Join request to 192.168.1.100 through port 5264
[*02/27/2025 09:37:32.8404] Join Response from 192.168.1.100
[*02/27/2025 09:37:32.8404] AC accepted join request with result code: 0
[*02/27/2025 09:37:32.8404] Received wlcType 1, timer 120
[*02/27/2025 09:37:32.8790]
[*02/27/2025 09:37:32.8790] CAPWAP State: Image Data
[*02/27/2025 09:37:32.8794] AP image version 8.10.196.0 backup 17.12.2.35, Controller 8.10.196.0
[*02/27/2025 09:37:32.8795] Version is the same, do not need update.
[*02/27/2025 09:37:32.9170] Script called with args:[NO_UPGRADE]
[*02/27/2025 09:37:32.9773] do NO_UPGRADE, part2 is active part
[*02/27/2025 09:37:32.9844]
[*02/27/2025 09:37:32.9844] CAPWAP State: Configure
[*02/27/2025 09:37:36.9397] Re-Tx Count=1, Max Re-Tx Value=5, SendSeqNum=1, NumofPendingMsgs=1
[*02/27/2025 09:37:36.9397]
[*02/27/2025 09:37:39.7906] Re-Tx Count=2, Max Re-Tx Value=5, SendSeqNum=1, NumofPendingMsgs=1
[*02/27/2025 09:37:39.7906]
[*02/27/2025 09:37:40.0099] Discarding msg CAPWAP_WTP_EVENT_REQUEST(type 9) in CAPWAP state: Configure(8).
[*02/27/2025 09:37:42.6414] Re-Tx Count=3, Max Re-Tx Value=5, SendSeqNum=1, NumofPendingMsgs=1
[*02/27/2025 09:37:42.6414]
[*02/27/2025 09:37:45.4923] Re-Tx Count=4, Max Re-Tx Value=5, SendSeqNum=1, NumofPendingMsgs=1
[*02/27/2025 09:37:45.4923]
[*02/27/2025 09:37:48.3432] Re-Tx Count=5, Max Re-Tx Value=5, SendSeqNum=1, NumofPendingMsgs=1
[*02/27/2025 09:37:48.3432]
[*02/27/2025 09:37:51.1940] Max retransmission count exceeded, going back to DISCOVER mode.
[*02/27/2025 09:37:51.1940] Dropping msg CAPWAP_CONFIGURATION_STATUS, type = 4, len = 2880, eleLen = 2888, sendSeqNum
[*02/27/2025 09:37:51.1941] GOING BACK TO DISCOVER MODE
[*02/27/2025 09:37:51.2200]
[*02/27/2025 09:37:51.2200] CAPWAP State: DTLS Teardown
[*02/27/2025 09:37:51.2975] Script called with args:[ABORT]
[*02/27/2025 09:37:51.3565] do ABORT, part2 is active part
[*02/27/2025 09:37:51.3812] Cleanup tmp files ...
[*02/27/2025 09:37:51.4171] Discarding msg CAPWAP_WTP_EVENT_REQUEST(type 9) in CAPWAP state: DTLS Teardown(4).
[*02/27/2025 09:37:51.4172] Discarding msg CAPWAP_WTP_EVENT_REQUEST(type 9) in CAPWAP state: DTLS Teardown(4).

[Flavio Miranda]

@gtstech 

 This AP is probably capwap and need to be converted to ME

https://semfionetworks.com/blog/convert-a-cisco-capwap-ap-to-a-mobility-express-ap/

[gtstech]

show version

Cisco AP Software, (ap3g3), C3802, RELEASE SOFTWARE
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2025 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Fri May 10 12:23:32 GMT 2024

ROM: Bootstrap program is U-Boot boot loader
BOOTLDR: U-Boot boot loader Version 2013.01-ge1c49d93a (Jul 28 2023 - 09:08:14)

AP286F.7FCF.7166 uptime is 0 days, 0 hours, 6 minutes
Last reload time : Thu Feb 27 10:16:55 UTC 2025
Last reload reason : reload command

cisco AIR-AP3802I-B-K9 ARMv7 Processor rev 1 (v7l) with 1028200/261048K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID FCW2106NQFC
AP Running Image : 8.10.196.0
Primary Boot Image : 8.10.196.0
Backup Boot Image : 17.12.2.35
Primary Boot Image Hash: 81bd22f06e513107b8cb89543f3dc1d2af537c56187fe3010402b5710c6a4b89425852537e5f9a1b383ee7a18693
Backup Boot Image Hash:
AP Image type : MOBILITY EXPRESS IMAGE
AP Configuration : MOBILITY EXPRESS CAPABLE
1 Multigigabit Ethernet interfaces
1 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
2 802.11 Radios
Radio Driver version : 9.0.5.5-W8964
Radio FW version : 9.1.8.1
NSS FW version : 2.4.30

[Flavio Miranda]

@gtstech 

3800 is not listed as subordinate AP. 

Subordinate Access Points Cisco Aironet® Access Points which operate as Subordinate Access Points and serve clients are listed in the table below: Table 2: Cisco Aironet® Access Points capable of operating as Subordinate Access Points Master Access Points Supported Model Numbers Cisco Aironet® 700i Series AIR-CAP702I-x-K9 Cisco Aironet® 700w Series AIR-CAP702W-x-K9 Cisco Aironet® 1540 Series AIR-AP1540I-x-K9 AIR-AP1540D-x-K9 Cisco Aironet® 1560Series AIR-AP1562I-x-K9 AIR-AP1562E-x-K9 AIR-AP1562D-x-K9 Cisco Aironet® 1600 Series AIR-CAP1602I-x-K9 AIR-CAP1602E-x-K9 Cisco Aironet® 1700 Series AIR-CAP1702I-x-K9 Cisco Aironet® 1810 Series AIR-AP1810W-x-K9 Cisco Aironet® 1815I Series AIR-AP1815I-x-K9C Cisco Aironet® 1815M Series AIR-AP1815M-x-K9C Cisco Aironet® 1815W Series AIR-AP1815W-x-K9C Cisco Aironet® 1830 Series AIR-AP1832I-x-K9C Cisco Aironet® 1850 Series AIR-AP1852I-x-K9C AIR-AP1852E-x-K9C Cisco Aironet® 2600 Series AIR-CAP2602I-x-K9 AIR-CAP2602E-x-K9 Cisco Aironet® 2700 Series AIR-CAP2702I-x-K9 AIR-CAP2702E-x-K9

[gtstech]

I configured Cisco Aironet 3802I Access Point in ME mode and act as Primary Access Point. But it itself cannot join ME and has the log above as posted article.

[Flavio Miranda]

Yes. 3800 can only be master not subordinate 

[gtstech]

Yes, it's in ME mode but it doesn't join ME to become master. do you understand what I mean?

[Flavio Miranda]

@gtstech 

 I do. Reason being is the ME have the master AP and the subordinates.  As per cisco doc, 3800 can only be master, not subordinate.

Here is the list of all supported subordinate APs. 3800 is not in the list.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/technotes/8-5/b_cisco_mobility_express_8_5/b_cisco_mobility_express_8_5_chapter_00.pdf

[marce1000]

  - Besides the helpful replies from @Flavio Miranda I would also like to point out
               (from your initial post)
   >...
   >AP Running Image : 8.10.196.0
     Primary Boot Image : 8.10.196.0
     Backup Boot Image : 17.12.2.35
       Note that mobility express is no longer supported on AP  Images 'coming from IOS-XE' ; now currently this  is not your problem ,         but it can be useful to know if you would ever swap boot images ,

  M.

[gtstech]

I have configured ME and configured SSID but it does not broadcast, and looking at GUI -> access Point does not show AP MAster, or any Ap.

[gtstech]

I have configured ME and configured SSID but it does not broadcast, and looking at GUI -> access Point does not show AP MAster, or any Ap

[marce1000]

  - @gtstech  Since what @Flavio Miranda  has explained , what you are seeing is probably normal since a 3800 AP can not be a client from/to an ME controller. You could also checkout the ME configuration using : WirelessAnalyzer input (procedure) for AireOs controllers
                                 Feed the output from that into  Wireless Config Analyzer

 M.