Cisco WAP Autonomous - with bridge mode

[madmax97]

I have been out of the IT world for a few years, but my current job is requiring me to take on more IT related tasks. One of my current tasks is to get a mobile "robot" to talk over wifi after a failure of an older setup (2 wireless bridges). I have been looking rather extensively and from what I can tell there are only two options when it comes to Wifi - CAPWAP or Mobility Express, is that correct or is there a true autonomous AP like there was 10+ years ago?  I do not have, nor do I intend to use a WLC so I need an Autonomous AP so I am guessing the Mobility Express is the right move (unless there are other options I cannot find).

My next question is what WAPs, with Autonomous capability, can do a bridge mode? I have a small cisco switch with several items inside the robot that needs to bridge to another switch ultimately. I may be "behind the times" on my technology and this is not the best path forward? Any guidance you guys can give is greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance. 

[patoberli]

Mobility Express has last year been replaced by Embedded Wireless Controller - EWC (needs a Catalyst 9000 series AP) which is supposed to be considerably better.

What you probably need is the Workgroup feature, I've never used it, but here is the manual for EWC:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/ewc/17-3/config-guide/ewc_cg_17_3/ewc_cg_17_2_chapter_01001000.html

This manual is fairly outdated though and looks like a bland copy of the old WLC times...

EWC = IOS XE in case you wonder.

Supported AP for EWC master are: 9115, 9117, 9120, 9130

I'm not sure if the 9105 is by now also supported, or the brand new outdoor models. Don't get the 9117 AP.

[Rasika Nayanajith · Accepted solution]

What you looking for is connecting that Robot to a WiFi network and bridge any wired endpoints through that WiFi connection, then you need to have WGB (Work Group Bridge). See below for few sample WGB configs if that is what you looking for

https://mrncciew.com/2013/06/13/wgb-with-psk/ 

https://mrncciew.com/2018/05/25/wgb-with-peap/ 

Even though 2800/3800 support WGB functionality, I prefer if you go with traditional AireOS AP like 2702/3702 and convert it as Autonomous & then configure WGB role. For Lightweight to Autonomous conversions, you can refer below posts

https://mrncciew.com/2012/10/20/lightweight-to-autonomous-conversion/ 

https://mrncciew.com/2013/12/13/ap-conversion-using-mode-button/ 

HTH

Rasika

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[madmax97]

Thank you for your reply - I have looked up all the Cisco downloads for the recommended AP's. The only options I see are these: 

Select a Software Type
Cisco Mobility Express
Lightweight AP Software

So if I buy a 3802 - Which of these do I need to get / download on it to be autonomous and use the WGB? 

[Wes Schochet]

I believe that the 3802 has one image that will do both CAPWAP and autonomous.  

[patoberli]

No, order it with "Mobility Express", only that one comes preinstalled with the autonomous functionality. The other (Lightweight, also called CAPWAP) requires a separate WLC to function.