10-04-2024 02:50 PM - edited 10-04-2024 02:55 PM
I recently started to learn about the Meraki wifi and was going to learn it and deploy it. I went online and purchased a brand new CW9166i assuming that it will work on the Meraki dashboard. After a lot of technical support calls they told me that it was in the DNA mode and I will need a 9800 series controller to convert it to the Meraki dashboard. I was hoping that in this day and age a company like cisco would have a cloud based controller than a physical WLC to convert it. I hope one you fine people can help me go down the right path. Also on a separate note the AP is getting an IP address but I am not able to use the browser to login to its UI. Is that normal or do I need a special port number to login.
Anil Vijay
Solved! Go to Solution.
10-04-2024 03:46 PM
Hi Vijay,
If you have Virtual environment, you can download Cisco 9800-CL controller and install it on your VM infrastructure.
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/technical-reference/c9800-cl-dg.html
Download link: https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286322605/type/282046477/release/Dublin-17.12.3
Once you setup your C9800-CL controller, follow the document given below to convert them to Meraki persona.
Without C9800-CL or physical appliance, you have to RMA the AP and get the correct Meraki persona AP.
The part number for Meraki persona AP is : CW9166I-MR
And you also need a Meraki MR license for this AP to work with Meraki Cloud like LIC-ENT-1YR/LIC-ENT-3YR/LIC-ENT-5YR
Jagan Chowdam
/**Pls rate useful responses**/
10-04-2024 03:46 PM
Hi Vijay,
If you have Virtual environment, you can download Cisco 9800-CL controller and install it on your VM infrastructure.
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/technical-reference/c9800-cl-dg.html
Download link: https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286322605/type/282046477/release/Dublin-17.12.3
Once you setup your C9800-CL controller, follow the document given below to convert them to Meraki persona.
Without C9800-CL or physical appliance, you have to RMA the AP and get the correct Meraki persona AP.
The part number for Meraki persona AP is : CW9166I-MR
And you also need a Meraki MR license for this AP to work with Meraki Cloud like LIC-ENT-1YR/LIC-ENT-3YR/LIC-ENT-5YR
Jagan Chowdam
/**Pls rate useful responses**/
10-04-2024 04:19 PM
Jagan
If this works you are a life saver. I will owe you a strong drink of your choice. Working on setting this up now.
10-06-2024 03:13 PM
I believe the WIFI 7 APs are getting rid of this requirement, but currently if the SKU is DNA mode you need to join it to a 9800 first then can convert. If you want to go from the Meraki persona to DNA you need to log a Meraki support ticket.
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