Required image not found on AP downloading image from controller Loop!

[Cap-24]

I am trying to connect a replacement Cisco Air-Cap-1552E that I am trying to connect to our WLC5508.  . It says required image not found on AP, downloading image from controller.  It looks like the device is stuck in a downloading software and reboot loop that it can't get out of.  If you need to direct me to another post of this problem if it is common, that is fine.  Appreciate some advice on next step to resolve this issue. 

AP Model - AIR-CAP1552E-A-K9,

WLC 5508 - Software code 8.3.133.0

Current Image on same access points in production - c1550-k9w8-mx.153-3.JD11

Current Image on new Access point trying to connect to WLC - c1550-k9w8-mx.153-3.JD17

[Mark Elsen]

  - Probably due to the fact that the ap  is running a more
    recent version then the needed production image currently used on the 5508.
    Factory reset the ap  and install c1550-k9w8-mx.153-3.JD11 manually on it ,

  M.

  M.

[Cap-24]

@Mark Elsen - Thanks for that advice.  Can you let me know the best way to do a factory reset via CLI commands once I am logged in. For this model the reset option via the button just does not work.  

[Mark Elsen]

  - @Cap-24     You me and others already discussed this topic in https://community.cisco.com/t5/wireless/resetting-a-cisco-air-cap-1552e-access-point-to-factory-defaults/m-p/5329105
                                              Did you make any progress ?

  M.

[Cap-24 · Accepted solution]

@Mark Elsen  - For some reason I am getting an error loading message for c1550-k9w8-mx.153-3.JD11.  Not sure if it is the file that I copied off another of our AP's or some other issue. I was able to run the reset command and that seems to have worked. 

[Leo Laohoo]

FN72524 - During Software Upgrade/Downgrade, Cisco IOS APs Might Remain in Downloading State After December 4, 2022 Due to Certificate Expiration

Post the complete output to the command "sh ap bundle all".  I suspect the Supplemental AP Bundle was not loaded into the WLC where it states explicitly: 

This bundle is mandatory to support AP802,AP1530, AP1550 and AP1570.

---

[Cap-24]

@Leo Laohoo  

Primary Version : 8.3.133.0

AP Supplement Bundle : Not Installed

Primary AP Image Size Supported AP's
---------------- ---- ------------
ap1g1 13120 AP700
ap1g2 13072 AP1600
ap1g4 23208 AP1850/1810
ap1g5 19056 AP1815
ap3g1 9936 AP3500
ap3g2 14940 AP2600,3600,1700,2700,3700
ap3g3 28312 AP2800,3800,1560
c1140 8836 AP1140
c602i 3864 AP600

Secondary Version : 8.3.133.0

--More-- or (q)uit
AP Supplement Bundle : Not Installed

Secondary AP Image Size Supported AP's
------------------ ---- ------------
ap1g1 13120 AP700
ap1g2 13072 AP1600
ap1g4 23208 AP1850/1810
ap1g5 19056 AP1815
ap3g1 9936 AP3500
ap3g2 14940 AP2600,3600,1700,2700,3700
ap3g3 28312 AP2800,3800,1560
c1140 8836 AP1140
c602i 3864 AP600

[Cap-24]

@Leo Laohoo @Mark Elsen - do you have any other suggestions on what I should try next? 

[Leo Laohoo]

Look at the output to the command "show ap bundle all" and the 1550 is absent from the list. Here are the options: 

1.  Acquire the AP Supplemental Bundle 

2.  Pick another AP model

[Cap-24]

I am just confused on how this particular model of AP is already in our production environment? There is a chance it was set up on a previous WLC 5508 that is no longer in service, but they are currently connected to our live WLC5508.  If I was able to upgrade the software version on the WLC to 8.5.182.12 would this resolve the issue and include this AP model in the AP supplemental bundle?  Appreciate your feedback on our options.  

[Cap-24]

@Leo Laohoo  -  I have an idea and let me know if you think this will work.  We have a different system that has a WLC5508 with code 8.0.133.0 that looks like C1550 is listed in it's primary image.  Can I connect my 1552E AP to this WLC and have it download the image.  Then when I connect this AP back to our WLC it hopefully will not try and download a different image and just connect.  I am guessing it can't download an image if C1550 is not listed in primary image.  Hopefully this makes sense and let me know if this may work. 

[Leo Laohoo]

Unfortunately, this will not work.  

The WLC and the AP firmware should be in sync.  If the AP is sporting a new firmware (than the WLC), the WLC will not let the AP operate/function.  

[Cap-24]

@Leo Laohoo - I figured out that the same thing happens when the Firmware on the AP is a lower version as well.  Will the WLC try and download new firmware if I can put on the AP the same firmware (c1550-k9w8-mx.153-3.JD11) as what is already on our other AP's in production.  How does upgrading the WLC software to 8.5.182.12 help with this situation.  Is that the same as Acquiring the AP Supplemental Bundle.  I was able to connect the AP to our other control systems WLC and it did connect and download c1550-k9w8-mx.153-3.JD8, then it deleted c1550-k9w8-mx.153-3.JD17. However, when I connected it to our WLC, it just stops at downloading stage.  Is it possible to upload or copy software from one WLC to another.  Sorry that I am jumping all over the place with this post, just trying to understand what my options are. Thanks. 

[Rich R]

Just to clarify/summarise a few points raised in this thread for anyone reading later ...

- The AP must always run the correct version of software corresponding to the WLC software.  See the Compatibility Matrix (link below) for the correct AP version for each WLC version.  The AP will always try to download the correct version from the WLC.

- The Field Notices linked below and shared by Leo mean that if you are running old versions of software the IOS AP software downloads from WLC will fail and continuously loop (even if you have the correct AP images installed on the WLC).  You should always be running the latest available (last) release of AireOS - in this case for 5508 it is 8.5.182.12 (linked below).  Unfortunately Cisco have recently removed the 5508 software from the downloads due to End of Support so you will have to search for it - good luck ...

- Some WLC models (like 5508) do not include all the AP images in the base software so you must install the supplementary AP bundle to have the software images for those APs installed on the controller. 

- In this case copying the software from another AP which already has it looks like the only viable option - messy and inconvenient but works!

[Cap-24]

@Rich R - Thanks for providing some helpful information.  So I will proceed to get the right version of Cisco IOS from my production Air-Cap-1552E AP.  That way I can transfer it to my new 1552E AP and then it will connect to the WLC and not try and download a different version  of software.  

WLC 5508 upgrade to Base Image - 8.5.182.12 and Supplementary AP Bundle 8.5.182.12 -  I think this will cover our current inventory - 1600 Indoor AP's, 1532 and 1552E (128mb version)?

If our 1552E is the version with 64 MB I take it I cannot go higher than 8.3 IOS software.  Can I run a command from our WLC to find out how much memory the AP has?  Is the version related to the year it came out?