Convert Catalyst CAPWAP software to AireOS Mobility Express how to?

[schulcz]

Hi Guys,

I have an AIR-AP1562I access point which was used in a 9800 WLC, so the software on this AP now is Capwap Catalyst software version 17.6.4.56. I would like to convert this AP back to AireOS software, I would like to use it as Mobility Express. I know how can I convert an AP from Catalyst Capwap to AireOS Mobility Express with the "ap-type mobility-express tftp..." command, but in catalyst software there is no similar command, there are only "ap-type capwap/workgroup-bridge" commands available.

I think an AireOS WLC could be used to convert it, but I don't have one at hand right now, maybe I can install a virtual one if there is no easier solution.

Is there a easier solution to this problem, or do I need an AireOS WLC to do this? I wondering maybe can I change the software in u-boot mode? I downloaded all software which I can access from Cisco support site (ap3g3-k9w8-tar images, AIR-AP1560-K9-ME-8-10-185-0.tar, AIR-AP1560-K9-ME-8-10-185-0.zip)

Thanks!

[Flavio Miranda]

You dont need WLC

 take a look on this link

https://semfionetworks.com/blog/convert-a-cisco-capwap-ap-to-a-mobility-express-ap/

[schulcz]

As I wrote I start from this software:

AP Running Image : 17.6.4.56
Primary Boot Image : 17.6.4.56
Backup Boot Image : 0.0.0.0
Primary Boot Image Hash:
Backup Boot Image Hash:
1 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
2 802.11 Radios
Radio Driver version : 9.0.5.5-W8964
Radio FW version : 9.1.8.1
NSS FW version : 2.4.28

There is no "ap-type mobility-express" command, because it is a catalyst-based OS:

AP2C33.1112.3456#ap-type
capwap Switch to CAPWAP AP type
workgroup-bridge Switch to Workgroup Bridge(WGB) AP type
AP2C33.1112.3456#ap-type

[Flavio Miranda]

Sorry.  what do you have after capwap option?

[schulcz]

No problem. I checked, nothing is after capwap option:

AP2C33.1112.3456#ap-type capwap
<cr>
AP2C33.1112.3456#ap-type capwap

[Flavio Miranda]

Oh, that´s weird.  You have a capwap AP that can only convert to capwap AP. If you hit enter after ap-type capwap show anything good.?  It just dont make sense.

Maybe someone from Cisco can show up here and clarify it.

[Rich R]

Suggest to install https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286290657/type/286288051/release/15.3.3-JK9
Then do the conversion to ME https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286290657/type/286289839/release/8.10.185.0
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/mobility-express-aironet-access-points/215410-convert-capwap-1852-access-point-ap-to.html
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/access_point/mob_exp/810/user_guide/b_ME_User_Guide_810/getg_started.html#task_7588F4C009744AEFBB9EB754A713E390

[schulcz]

Hi Rich R!

Can you help me how to get the AP running IOS 17.6 software to update (downgrade) itself to 15.3.3-JK9?
I know the "debug capwap console cli" and "archive download tftp..." commands to do it under aireos software, but they don't work under IOS software.

AP2C33.1112.3456#debug capwap
client CAPWAP Client debugs
AP2C33.1112.3456#debug capwap console cli
^
% Invalid input detected at '^' marker.
AP2C33.1112.3456#archive download-sw
/no-reload No-reload after loading
/reload Reload after loading
capwap image download from wlc
AP2C33.1112.3456#archive download-sw tftp://172.20.0.2/ap3g3-k9w8-tar.153-3.JK9.tar
^
% Invalid input detected at '^' marker.
AP2C33.1112.3456#archive download-sw capwap
WORD Image file
Enter the image details in below format:
<ap image type ap3g3/ap1g4 etc>
AP2C33.1112.3456#archive download-sw capwap ap3g3
<cr>
AP2C33.1112.3456#archive download-sw capwap ap3g3

Thanks!

[Prince.O · Accepted solution]

Hello,

The commands should work in IOS-XE image, use this command below ensuring you specify the "/reload" option so it can reboot upon reception of the image from the server:
"archive download-sw /reload tftp://<IP ADDRESS HERE>/ap3g3-k9w8-tar.153-3.JK9.tar " .

I will recommend ensuring the AP can't reach the 9800 WLC while doing this process as it will try to join the WLC again etc

[schulcz]

Thank You very much, it was the solution, now Mobility Express software runs on my AP again.

Cisco AIR-AP1562I-E-K9 ARMv7 Processor rev 1 (v7l) with 1028200/476936K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID XXXXXXXXXXX
AP Running Image : 8.10.185.0
Primary Boot Image : 8.10.185.0
Backup Boot Image : 8.10.185.0
Primary Boot Image Hash: 1ee6a148d71d3a2307a694620c261706c7cfb10b22bf90339fa8f4e61e7f1cabd0366a1750700bb4edb2c31ee9088cdd3039bb360abcfeedb0ff7015e1d16b81
Backup Boot Image Hash: e4e652bb006f06fd24cbca74b8bc86fea2ce2fac7888a6a6792e43b9fc3745dd917fadd5db85d57e75a13149725214ed2ff631e0413b49f577d177a5fbd9bc84
AP Image type : MOBILITY EXPRESS IMAGE
AP Configuration : MOBILITY EXPRESS CAPABLE
1 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
2 802.11 Radios
Radio Driver version : 9.0.5.5-W8964
Radio FW version : 9.1.8.1
NSS FW version : 2.4.30

[Rich R]

What exactly was the solution?
Earlier you said "they don't work under IOS software" and showed examples of the command not being accepted?

[schulcz]

In the examples I don't tried to use the /reload option, and that was the key for the solution.

I used this command to convert the AP back to AireOS software:

"archive download-sw /reload tftp://<IP ADDRESS HERE>/ap3g3-k9w8-tar.153-3.JK9.tar "

[Rich R]

Good question - don't think I've done it with a COS AP before and on a quick search I don't see an answer!

For the 91xx APs you can use this process but there is no recovery image for 1562!
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/catalyst-9120axi-access-point/217537-repairing-c9120-c9115-access-points-from.html
This might just be a question for TAC ...

Otherwise fire up a AireOS vWLC to get it done?