My WAP does not exist?

[Wingnut2015]

Hello,

I have a number of Cisco 3502i WAP's and that product has been completely removed from the Cisco website. I know they are end of life, etc. but surely the data should be preserved for reference.

Here is the pertinent information

APMACAddress#sh ver
Cisco IOS Software, C3500 Software (AP3G1-K9W8-M), Version 15.3(3)JPC, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2016 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Sat 30-Jul-16 18:53 by prod_rel_team

ROM: Bootstrap program is C3500 boot loader
BOOTLDR: C3500 Boot Loader (AP3G1-BOOT-M), Version 15.3 [vtoky-imagetype 106]

cisco AIR-CAP3502I-N-K9 (PowerPC460exr) processor (revision A0) with 98294K/32768K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID FGL1540S04J
PowerPC460exr CPU at 666Mhz, revision number 0x18A8
Last reset from power-on
LWAPP image version 16.3.1.0
1 Gigabit Ethernet interface
2 802.11 Radios

32K bytes of flash-simulated non-volatile configuration memory.
Base ethernet MAC Address: hash
Part Number : 73-12175-05
PCA Assembly Number : 800-32268-05
PCA Revision Number : A0
PCB Serial Number : FOChash
Top Assembly Part Number : 800-32891-01
Top Assembly Serial Number : FGLhash
Top Revision Number : A0
Product/Model Number : AIR-CAP3502I-N-K9

So they are a real thing.

Can somebody please tell me why Cisco would remove a product so completely?

Were they ashamed of it, did it only sell the five (or so) that I have?

Trying to access information and IOS, etc.

Thank you

[Karsten Iwen · Accepted solution]

I assume that the Cisco website and the download area would be even more cluttered and confusing if Cisco did not remove the legacy information after some time. We are already nearly four years after the End of Support of these devices, and they have not been sold for almost nine years.

If you want to operate a Cisco AP, it is best to look for some x802i on eBay. They are also End of Sale, but still supported, and the software is still available. And they are already very cheap as people are replacing them all over the world.

[Scott Fella]

I have some very old 340/350, 1242's, et.c that are way older than what you have.  The documentation I have found is in this forum and some on the internet.  There is a lot you can find if you just look, but as far as downloads, only Cisco folks have the access to download the old code no longer available to the public.  I have these ap's because through the years I just end up collecting them, but I agree with @Karsten Iwen, look on ebay for a newer model ap and maybe a controller because that can provide you with newer features.  If you don't want to spend the money and its just for home use, then maybe just buy something at the store where you get the latest features like wifi6 or wifi7.  

Don't be afraid to ask the forum if you have question on other models or maybe controllers that you find cheap on eBay.

[Wingnut2015]

Thank you for the answers you are, of course, correct.

I suppose I was just hoping as I had a HDD die and it had my Cisco images on it. I had a backup of the LW image but not the Autonomous one.

I have a bridge using a 3502 and a 3602 and want to swap in a 3602 for the 3502 which I can then use elsewhere and the bridge will then be running 2 x 3602's.

Does anyone know where you can get legacy images?

Thanks again

[Scott Fella]

I think most folks search the web to find the code lingering around somewhere.

[Rich R]

Like Scott says if you search for the exact name of the image you can often find it somewhere.
What you might be interested to know is that it might also run the 3702 (ap3g2) image (even the latest) so you can try that <wink> (obviously completely unsupported)

[Karsten Iwen]

But always be aware that loading images from untrusted sources could reprogram your AP to a T-1000. But hey, what could go wrong? 😉