Cannot join Cisco 2700 AP to vWLC

[gscheer67]

Hi all,

I'm facing a strange issue. I'm trying to add a 2700 AP to a virtual WLC but got this message.

LWAPP-3-DISC_INTF_ERR2: spam_lrad.c:1967 Ignoring discovery request received on a wrong VLAN (0) on interface (1) in L3 LWAPP mode from APxx

The AP and vWLC management interface are in VLAN 127, 10.127.x.x/16.

AP's switch port is correctly configured.

ARP table on vWLC shows the AP I try to join in VLAN 127 and in the same subnet than vWLC.

I also have other 2700 & 2800 APs (8.8.111.0 version) that are joined in this same VLAN 127.

Any help appreciated.

vWLC :  version : 8.8.111.0 - management interface IP 10.127.4.254/16

AP : AIR-CAP2702E-E-K - version 8.2.100.0 - IP 10.127.4.50

[marce1000]

 - Attach a console to the AP , and check ap console messag(s) when it tries to join the controller.

 M.

[gscheer67]

The AP is anstalled to my customer high on the wall, I can only work remotely. SSH to the AP is working but I don't know the password (AP was installed by another IT service provider and default pwd is not working) so I have no access to the AP unfortunately.

[Scott Fella]

I think you will have to get a tech onsite to take the ap down so you can connect that to a switch and access the console.  Even if you open a TAC case, they will most likely ask for that console output also.  

What you are trying to do is the hard way and all you can do is capture the controller logs and search online for a fix.

[marce1000]

@Scott Fella is right in the end the console info might be essential , one thing you could (still) verify before that is checking if the switch-port (running)-configuration , is the same here as for the working access points (or not).

 M.

[gscheer67]

Of course I already compared switch port configuration with working APs.

Well, if no other solution then I need to move on-site. Thanks for your help, I'll post AP's debug messages or solution if I found it in the meantime.

[Leo Laohoo]

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@gscheer67 wrote:
vWLC :  version : 8.8.111.0

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Use a different WLC firmware other than 8.8.111.0.

[Rich R · Accepted solution]

It might be due to the very old software on the AP - but you'll still need the console logs to decide that.
And since you don't know the password you're going to have to factory default the AP which might also solve the problem (standard first step when troubleshooting join problems, especially if the AP has joined another vWLC before which is a known issue).
So you really have no choice but to get someone onto that AP console.
Then while you have access to the AP upgrade the software to the same version as the WLC.

Refer to TAC recommended link below for what version of software you should be running.

[gscheer67 · Accepted solution]

I was on-site today, console connected to the AP and saw the following errors.

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*Nov 28 08:43:47.259: %LWAPP-3-CLIENTERRORLOG: Load nvram:/lwapp_ap.cfg config failed, trying backup...
*Nov 28 08:43:47.263: %LWAPP-3-CLIENTERRORLOG: Load nvram:/lwapp_ap.cfg.bak config failed...
*Nov 28 08:43:47.263: spamInitRadCfg: recovery image default mode 0
Unable to create temp dir "flash:/update"
Download image failed, notify controller!!! From:8.2.100.0 to 8.8.111.0, FailureCode:7
*Nov 28 08:43:57.251: %CAPWAP-6-AP_IMG_DWNLD: Required image not found on AP. Downloading image from Controller.
*Nov 28 08:43:57.251: capwap_image_proc: encounter flash problem, retry here

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Correct me if I'm wrong.

I tried, and succeeded, to set SSH to go back to my office to work remotely but lightweight APs don't store this config between reboots.

I tried to reset to factory defaults with MODE button but this doesn't work with lightweight APs, it only works with autonomous APs.

I ended up downloading the last firmware and tried to update the AP but I got this error :

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Unable to create temp dir "flash:/update"

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This folder already exists but it's empty. I tried to delete it with rmdir or delete /force but nothing worked. It was in fact used by the join process which was trying to download the image from controller.

So I rebooted the AP and typed the following command to update the firmware before the join process begins.

archive download-sw /safe /force-reload /overwrite tftp://10.126.10.150/ap3g2-k9w8-tar.153-3.JPN1.tar

The firmware installed without errors. At reboot the AP finally joined the controller and dowgraded firmware automatically with the one provided by the controller.

Now the AP has joined the controller and is stable.

[Rich R]

Flash corruption problems are common on the 1700/2700/3700 APs especially on older software versions.
Refer to:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/field-notices/703/fn70330.html
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless-mobility/wireless-lan-wlan/213317-understanding-various-ap-ios-flash-corru.html
Oh and mode button reset DOES also work on lightweight APs (I've used it many times)