Cisco AP C9115AXE-E Cupertino 17.09.04 firmware change to Lightweight

[XYtras]

Hello,

By a mistake I've downloaded and installed newest Cupertino 17.09.04 firmware on Cisco AP C9115AXE-E

Now there is no capwap commands to add this AP to my WLC.

I need to "downgrade" it to Lightweight firmware. I have correct firmware (ap1g7-k9w8-tar.153-3.JPQ.tar) but can't install it by AP's website. I can upload it by TFTP but dont know the commands and how to install this TAR firmware on my AP. There is no (not working on my AP) "archive download-sw" -  command.

Please help.

[marce1000]

  - Try this on the AP : # ap-type capwap

M.

[XYtras]

Hi, thanks for reply. The problem is that I've downloaded and installed Embedded Wireless Controller 17.9.4 (C9100 EWC AP bundle image C9800-AP-universalk9.17.09.04.zip) to the Cisco AP C9115AXE-E. Now I can't add this AP to my WLC. There is no capwap commands anymore. 

To solve it I must download and install correct - Lightweight AP Software. I've already downloaded WIRELESS LAN LWAPP ap1g7-k9w8-tar.153-3.JPQ.tar

I have TFTP soft running with correct TAR image, but I've no idea what commands to use to upload and install Lightweight AP Soft and what commands use to upload&install it sucessfuly on my AP.

I will add that I don't have AP on site, it gets to it remotely via other PC and the console cable.

[marce1000]

               - Please execute my initial reply , 

 M.

[XYtras]

I've tried it immediately but it's not working:

Oct 24 08:57:02.646: %SYS-5-CONFIG_I: Configured from console by console
AP-09#ap-type capwap
                ^
% Invalid input detected at '^' marker.

AP-09#

AP-09#ap?
ap app-hosting

AP-09#

AP-09>sh ver
Cisco IOS XE Software, Version 17.09.04
Cisco IOS Software [Cupertino], C9800-AP Software (C9800-AP-K9_IOSXE-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 17.9.4, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc5)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2023 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Wed 26-Jul-23 09:57 by mcpre

System restarted at 15:22:32 UTC Mon Oct 23 2023
System image file is "/tmp/sw/rp/0/0/rp_wlc/mount/usr/binos/bin/linux_iosd-image"
Last reload reason: Reload Command

AIR License Level: AIR Network Essentials
cisco C9115AXI-E (VXE) processor (revision VXE) with 321661K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID FCW2718Y3WU
2048K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.
1971460K 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

[marce1000]

 - FYI : https://community.cisco.com/t5/wireless/how-to-convert-from-ewc-to-capwap-mode/m-p/4664457#M244916

 M.

[Rich R · Accepted solution]

Ok @XYtras a few points...
The ap-type command must be entered from the AP CLI, not the EWC WLC CLI.
To access the AP CLI from EWC: “wireless ewc-ap ap shell username <username>”
The username and password depend on what you configured when you setup the EWC, but might also still be default Cisco/Cisco.
This is documented at https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/embedded-wireless-controller-on-catalyst-access-points/215303-embedded-wireless-controller-conversion.html#toc-hId--865113225

Now back to your original problem - getting rid of EWC: "ap-type capwap" will make it boot back to standard CAPWAP mode but it has a nasty habit of re-activating EWC if it can't find a WLC for any reason when it boots up so I always recommend a complete re-flash of the AP to remove the IOS-XE software completely.  To do that use the process and software at:
 https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/catalyst-9120axi-access-point/217537-repairing-c9120-c9115-access-points-from.html
That will revert the AP to 8.10.130.0 CAPWAP software and then you can upgrade to the right version from there.

[XYtras · Accepted solution]

Thank you all for all your help. To summarize in few words (commands):

wireless ewc-ap ap shell username Cisco

pass: Cisco

en

ap-type capwap