Cisco CAP-1602E-A-K9

[e137ec85]

Hello,

What I have:

Cisco CAP-1602E-A-K,

Autonomous image tar file,

Questions,

What I want to do:

I would like to use the AP as autonomous

Why:

I was provided a few of them and decided to learn how to interact with Cisco APs. During my online reading and troubleshooting I found some information that is a bit confusing.

My Questions:

AIR-CONCAB1200 ... is the same as 72-3383-01 ?

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/access_point/15_2_4_JA/configuration/guide/scg15-2-4_book/scg15-2-4-JA-chap4-first.html#44264

Can I connect to the AP through console to configure and upgrade it to Autonomous? or will I need a Cisco Controller?

This guide says the console port is just for logging and debugging ...

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/access_point/1600/quick/guide/ap1600getstart.html#pgfId-56220

What I've done so far:

I purchased a serial RJ45 to USB cable with chipset CH341, it does not connect to the AP with  settings. (Tera Term, PuTTY)

Bits per sec    :  9600 
Data bits       :     8 
Parity          :  none 
Stop bits       :     1 
Flow control    :  none 

Under Device Manager, if I try to 'Update Driver' there is no Cisco option

https://community.cisco.com/t5/routing/usb-console-serial-driver-fails-to-install-on-windows-8-1-x64/td-p/2463221

I've tried to turn off the device, holding the Mode button and turning it back on until the lights turn amber. This got me nowhere, I also tried to Telnet into it but it said there was no password set and then closed the window. I tried to SSH into it but I read that you first need to have it configured because the default u/n: Cisco  p/w: Cisco (or cisco cisco) will not work.

https://community.cisco.com/t5/wireless-security-and-network/connect-to-access-point-with-ssh-telnet/td-p/2025844

Thank you.

[Sandeep Choudhary · Accepted solution]

Please find the answers:

1. yes its same.

    Can I connect to the AP through console to configure and upgrade it to Autonomous? Yes you can

    or will I need a Cisco Controller? --> No you cant manage Autonomous AP with controller.

try with this setting:

Bits per sec : 9600
Data bits : 8
Parity : none
Stop bits : 1
Flow control : XON/XOFF

Regards

Dont forget to rate helpful posts

[e137ec85]

Thank you Sandeep your response was very helpful. I found the issue to be my cable, I purchased instead an RJ45 to DB9 serial cable, and DB9 to USB converter (Prolific Chipset). I was able to connect using the console, and using the free SolarWinds TFTP to transfer the firmware. It is now working as a fully autonomous unit.

Note for any future readers:

* Add '.default' to the end of the firmware file (it should look like xxxx-xxxx.tar.default) you may also need to delete some non-critical items in your 'flash:' such as 'event.r0' otherwise you may receive an error in regards to the directory being out of space.

I opted to keep the Lightweight firmware stored in the flash as well in the event they ever need to be lightweight again I would just have to simply change the boot arguments.

These are the guides I used:

Cisco Aironet Access Points IOS Recover... - Cisco Community

Solved: AP not joining the WLC controller - Cisco Community

Erasing Flash and Reloading the Access ... - Cisco Community

Converting a Cisco AP from LWAPP to Autonomous mode – Paul Beyer

I found this one to be the most effective for me:

http://ccnawirelesswannabe.blogspot.com/2016/08/converting-cisco-lightweight-to.html