issue with adding AP2700 in vWLC

[Harinirina RATAHINARISOA]

Hello,

We've installed virtual WLC using AIR_CTVM-K9_8_10_151_0.ova file. The installation and basic configuration of the WLC is done successfully.

We'd like to add a lightweight AP 2700 to the vWLC but the AP stuck in downloading state.

We've found a document saying that access-points need to be in FlexConnect mode with the vWLC.

We tried to change to FlexConnect mode but we got the error "flexconnect mode is not supported on this AP".

From some documents, it is said that FlexConnect is supported on AP2700.

We would like to know which mode should be configured for AP with vWLC and if flexconnect is supported by AP2700.

How can we get the AP to be able to join the vWLC?

Thanks.

[marce1000]

        - What's in the controller logs when the AP tries to join ?

 M.

[Harinirina RATAHINARISOA]

Hello,

Thanks for your reply.

Please find below the Controller logs

Regards

[tlarsen]

Hi,

The Flex connect is supported by the 2700 model. And the AP mode doesn't matter for the joining process.

The joining process is likes this:

AP sends the Discovery Request and the WLC answers with a Discovery Response.

The  AP will then send the Join Request and the WLC accept the AP with a Join Response.

Please check the AP join process in Monitor - Statistics - AP join and then find the AP that is not joining and check the last AP join massage. And check if the AP and WLC is following the joining process.

Best regards

[Harinirina RATAHINARISOA]

Hello,

Thanks for your reply and clarification.

We tried to change the AP mode to monitor, we got the same error.

Please find below the screenshot of messages.

Best Regards

[marce1000]

  ....>We tried to change to FlexConnect mode but we got the error "flexconnect mode is not supported on this AP".

 Ref : https://community.cisco.com/t5/wireless-mobility-documents/cisco-virtual-wireless-controller-vwlc-release-7-3/ta-p/3123574#toc-hId-593203066

 >...

   FlexConnect Mode: Central and Local Switching. Only FlexConnect Central and Local Switching APs are supported, Local Mode AP will only join the controller but will not associate the clients. So once AP joins the controller we can change the mode from Local mode to Flexconnect mode.

  M.

[marce1000]

                 - Make sure  that the AP country code and controller configured country-code match (too).

 M.

[Scott Fella]

Do you have any other AP’s joined?  Have you tried to factory reset the ap by chance?  There are other methods in which you can download the capwap image for the ap and install maybe a later version might help.

[Rich R · Accepted solution]

You won't be able to make *any* config changes on the AP until it has joined, downloaded correct code version and rejoined - so don't even try.

At that point AP status will be REG and you can then make any required config changes.

Like @tlarsen said the mode doesn't matter for joining.

Consolidating the other suggestions:

- Factory default the AP

- Upgrade the AP to a more recent version of code. Ideally even the correct version for 8.10.151.0 then it won't need to download anything https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286256843/type/280775090/release/15.3.3-JK5

- Collect the entire log from power-on on the AP console together with corresponding join stats and debugs on the WLC

- Obviously make sure WLC country code and AP match and that WLC time is correct (NTP)

[Scott Fella]

I think I posted on the wrong thread:). I though it was for an outdoor ap:)

[Harinirina RATAHINARISOA]

Hi all,

Thanks indeed for your reply.

- It's an indoor AP.

- From "AP join" menu, sometimes the status is joined and sometimes "not joined".

The last AP join message is as follow : "Received Discovery request and sent response"

- We checked the country code of AP and WLC, it's the same.

- Ok, We'll upgrade the AP to a more recent version of code next week.

Please find here attached the log collected  from WLC and AP.

Thanks and Best Regards

[Harinirina RATAHINARISOA]

Hi all,

After upgrading the AP to a more recent version of code and changing the AP mode to flexconnect, users can connect to the SSID successfully.

Thanks very much for all your reply and help.

Best regards