controller AP to convert an independent AP

[Sheraz.Salim]

Hi we are going to do a maintains of upgrade of our WLC the downtime could last for a long time as we have 7 wlc. we was thinking if we can convert few ap as an independent ap connected to poe switch so least the critical ares keep up and running if this is possible could some one give me the link so i can confugre a controller ap into an independent ap.

thanks you

[Philip D'Ath]

I think that is a bad idea.

Can't you move the AP's off one WLC onto another, upgrade it, and then move them back?

What about buying an extra WLC and running it in HA mode?  Relatively cheap to buy, since you don't have to pay for all the AP licences.  Make an HA pair, break the pair leaving only the HA active, upgrade the original unit, and then move the AP's back?

[mohanak]

Refer the links https://supportforums.cisco.com/video/11928901/lwapp-lightweight-mode-autonomous-conversion-and-vice-versa

Another option :

Predownloading an Image to an Access Point

To minimize network outages, you can now download an upgrade image to the access point from the controller without resetting the access point or losing network connectivity. Previously, you would download an upgrade image to the controller and reset it, which causes the access point to go into discovery mode. After the access point discovers the controller with the new image, the access point downloads the new image, resets, goes into discovery mode, and rejoins the controller.

You can now download the upgrade image to the controller and then download the image to the access point while the network is still up. You can also schedule a reboot of the controller and access points, either after a specified amount of time or at a specific date and time. When both devices are up, the access point discovers and rejoins the controller.http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/7-3/configuration/guide/b_cg73/b_wlc-cg_chapter_01010.html#ID913

[Mohammad Setan]

If your AP's are supporting Flexconnect, try to configure some of the AP's where you have critical areas as a flexconnect, and before that, do a pre-download for those AP's, so once the controller come back, your AP will join the controller and it will not download the new image which you already installed on the pre-download" stage, this will minimize the downtime for those AP's.

Kind Regards

Mohammad Setan