Cannot change C9105 back to capwap mode - ssh connection refused

[EvanC75]

I converted my C9105AXI to EWC and now I want to switch it back to CAPWAP.  I tried following the directions from the post below.

https://community.cisco.com/t5/wireless/how-to-convert-from-ewc-to-capwap-mode/td-p/4663375

wireless ewc-ap ap shell username admin

It comes back with:

ssh: connect to host 192.168.255.253 port 22: Connection refused

There are only two users configured - Cisco and admin.  Neither worked.

I tried going through the article below to enable SSH, although I question its accuracy.  Step 2 on creating an RSA key was wrong.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless-mobility/wireless-lan-wlan/68789-ssh-enable-ap.html

show ssh command indicates sshv2 server is running but it still refuses the connection.  I am connected to the AP through the console port.  There are no options to enable or configure SSH on the web GUI.

What am I missing?

[marce1000]

 - Try the commands needed from or on the console,

 M.

[EvanC75]

I did.  They don't work.  It still says ssh connection refused.  I don't know why it is trying to use ssh when I am directly connected through the console.

[marce1000]

  - Strange , post the output from show version ,

  M.

[EvanC75]

Here it is:

WLCXXXX.XXXX.XXXX> show version
Cisco IOS XE Software, Version 17.15.01
Cisco IOS Software [IOSXE], C9800-AP Software (C9800-AP-K9_IOSXE-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 17.15.1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc4)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2024 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Sun 11-Aug-24 22:17 by mcpre


Cisco IOS-XE software, Copyright (c) 2005-2024 by cisco Systems, Inc.
All rights reserved.  Certain components of Cisco IOS-XE software are
licensed under the GNU General Public License ("GPL") Version 2.0.  The
software code licensed under GPL Version 2.0 is free software that comes
with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY.  You can redistribute and/or modify such
GPL code under the terms of GPL Version 2.0.  For more details, see the
documentation or "License Notice" file accompanying the IOS-XE software,
or the applicable URL provided on the flyer accompanying the IOS-XE
software.


ROM: IOS-XE ROMMON

WLC6C8D.77AA.1220 uptime is 9 minutes
Uptime for this control processor is 584942417 years, 18 weeks, 17 hours, 6 minutes
System returned to ROM by reload
System image file is "/tmp/sw/rp/0/0/rp_wlc/mount/usr/binos/bin/linux_iosd-image"
Last reload reason: reload



This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United
States and local country laws governing import, export, transfer and
use. Delivery of Cisco cryptographic products does not imply
third-party authority to import, export, distribute or use encryption.
Importers, exporters, distributors and users are responsible for
compliance with U.S. and local country laws. By using this product you
agree to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If you are unable
to comply with U.S. and local laws, return this product immediately.

A summary of U.S. laws governing Cisco cryptographic products may be found at:
http://www.cisco.com/wwl/export/crypto/tool/stqrg.html

If you require further assistance please contact us by sending email to
export@cisco.com.

AIR License Level: AIR Network Essentials
cisco C9105AXI-B (VXE) processor (revision VXE) with 334359K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID **********
2048K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.
1989868K bytes of physical memory.
100000K bytes of AP Images at ap_images:.
513300K bytes of Backup Controller Image at backup_image:.
7774207K bytes of virtual hard disk at bootflash:.
25000K bytes of Temp trace export at tmp_trace_export:.
Installation mode is BUNDLE 


Configuration register is 0x2102

[EvanC75]

I think I got it to work.  My AP hostname was AP-03.  I had to get the ap_name with the show ap summary command.  So the second command below was ran and then I did a factory restore after.  It still is using the EWC image but it loads into CAPWAP.  I would probably have to download the Lightweight AP image from software.cisco.com to remove EWC completely but I don't have the smartnet contract to do so.

AP-03# show ap summary
AP-03# wireless ewc-ap ap ap-type APXXXX-XXXX-XXXX capwap

[Rich R]

In fact the only way to completely remove EWC is to re-flash the AP following the instructions at https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/catalyst-9120axi-access-point/217537-repairing-c9120-c9115-access-points-from.html

[EvanC75]

Oh yes I knew about that link but it only applies to the 9120 and 9115. The 9105 uses a different image for its capwap. If I try to download the 9105 version it says support contract required.

[Rich R]

> Oh yes I knew about that link but it only applies to the 9120 and 9115.
No - it applies to 9105AXW, 9105AXI, 9117, 9115 and 9120 as per the screenshot below of the software image downloads:

Yes, Cisco software downloads normally require a support contract.

[EvanC75]

Right but if I click any of those other download links listed on that page besides the last one on 9115 and 9120, I get blocked by a popup that says service contract required.  The 9105 one has a different filename and hash.

[Rich R]

Ah! Can't help with that then. Cisco must have accidentally or intentionally applied contract entitlement to come of the files.  Yes - different platforms have different images due to different chipsets and/or hardware.

[EvanC75]

No problem thanks!