Change standalone AP to light WLC AP remote?

[ThinkoSlo]

I have 10 working standalone 3500APs.
Now im buying used WLC. So can i convert back to light wlc AP from WLC remote?
Or i must manualy go to each AP and convert back to wlc AP?

[balaji.bandi]

yes, you need to or another option you can pre-reply send to a remote place, they can test all working, ask them to ship old AP back to you.

[Haydn Andrews]

Have to go to each of them. But if you have SSH access you could do it remotely

[Scott Fella]

Like what was already mentioned, as long as you enable ssh, which I would think you already have or you can enable that through the GUI.  You should make sure first that you can download the image for the access point and also the image for the controller. Buying a used controller as long as its working is okay, but you need support to download the image.  You should also review the wlc matrix to make sure you know what controller code supports the model access points you have.

Cisco Wireless Solutions Software Compatibility Matrix - Cisco

Make sure you test also, since these are remote, if they break, you or someone will have to get them down to fix it.

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

Yes, it can be done remotely but all the prep work needs to be done first.  

In regards to converting the APs to CAPWAP, do the following: 

1. The most important part of the work is DHCP Option 43.  If this is not set then the APs will not join the controller. 
2. Get a TFTP server, like TFTPd32. 
3. Download the latest "recovery" image file (filename:  ap3g1-rcvk9w8-tar.153-3.JF15.tar) and put it in the default TFTP server directory. 
4. Remote into each AP and do the following command:  archive download-se tftp://<TFTP IP address>/filename.tar
5. After the IOS file has been successfully unpacked, erase the config of the AP using the command "wr erase default".  
6. Reboot the AP. 

WARNING:  Make sure to test the above method before rolling it out en masse.  

[ThinkoSlo]

Simple sulition:
Standalone AP upgrade via WEB,update with light ios image,when is upgraded AP join WLC.