Cisco 2802i - Wireless Bridge to a Wireless Network

[juandcc2014]

I recently wireless bridged a cisco 3702i access point to my home network via its GUI, running autonomous mode. It was very easy and worked very well, giving my computer internet access. This only required ONE cisco access point(the one I'm bridging the home network to)

However, I'm wondering if there is some sort of way to do this in the Cisco 2802i running Mobility Express. So far, I have seen setups where you need 2 Cisco Access points but I'm wondering if there is a way to do so with just the access point in using as a bridge or if I should just get a non-cisco Access Point because it seems like the older cisco ones can do it fine with Autonomous mode but they don't meed my speed needs.

[Saikat Nandy]

Yes, as you said the solution is mobility express.

Older AP, as you have done 3702 has the capability to run in Autonomous mode (where you do the configuration inside the AP) or in lightweight mode (where it joins to a WLC and all the config will be done in WLC and will be pushed to AP through CAPWAP tunnel).

However that concept of Autonomous mode is no longer present. Rather it has been evolved to Mobility express (runs on 2800, 3800 and a couple of more AP models) and EWC (Embedded wireless controller, run on the newer APs).

If you convert your AP into mobility express you will still be able to get the wireless access with just one single AP. The ME concept says that the AP is having 2 parts - AP part and the controller part. First the AP part boots up followed by the WLC part - if an only if it has been converted to ME. However you will still get a GUI like WLC where you need to do all the configuration and those will be pushed to the internal AP.  

Can refer - https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/technotes/8-8/b_cisco_mobility_express_8_8/m_deploying_cisco_mobility_express.html

[juandcc2014]

So is it possible to wirelessly bridge a Cisco 2802i via mobility express by solely using 1 AP(the 2802i itself)?

[Saikat Nandy]

Just trying to make myself clear so that I can guide you properly - when you say 'wirelessly bridge', are you only referring to the fact that you want one single AP to broadcast wireless network where you can connect...is that right? It is not something a regular mesh (point-to-point bridge) network where two APs talk to each other over the air...correct?

If my first understanding is correct, then yes you can have a wireless setup with just one single 2802 series AP in ME mode. 

[juandcc2014]

What I want is to connect the 2802i to my computer via its Ethernet port, while the 2802i AP is wirelessly connected to my home network(which has internet access). And thus my computer has internet access because the AP bridged to my home network wirelessly.

[Saikat Nandy]

Alright! My understanding was incorrect. You are looking for a WGB solution. Yes it is possible. Refer - https://mrncciew.com/2020/07/07/cisco-2800-3800-ap-as-wgb/
Note - You don't need ME. Only light weight image is needed and only 1 AP is needed.

[juandcc2014]

I saw your link. So I saw that you are using 2 Cisco APs(the 3800s and the 9130). Would this tutorial still work if the 9130 was replaced with a non-cisco access point? If yes, then that is what I need. If not, then that would require 2 Cisco APs instead of 1(3800s and the 9130).

[Saikat Nandy]

In WGB solution, the AP act like a client. In the given link, 2802 is connecting as a client to the SSID/network being broadcasted by the 9130 (which is part of full fledged wireless setup). 
The solution is possible but you need to test and see if it is working. We have seen issues with 3rd party WGB when connected to the Cisco AP as a client. Here in your setup Cisco AP acting as WGB will connect to a wireless network managed by a 3rd party. So as I said, solution is possible but you need to test it. I will also suggest to keep the SSID open (which 2802 will use to connect to your home wifi)so that authentication/encryption gets bypassed. If open can't be done, then just keep it simple PSK.

[juandcc2014]

So it is possible to have the Cisco act as a WGB connected to a third-party network. But there could be errors or not work at all. Got it

So do I need CAPWAP or ME on the 2802i? 

Also, do I need a WLC for this to work? If so, does the 2504 work?

[Saikat Nandy]

For WGB solution you don't need WLC (at least in this case of yours). Also CAPWAP/lightweight image is what you need, not ME.
Apart from the previous doc there is an another one you can have a look - https://configure-networks.com/cisco-wireless-wgb-wave-2/