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Convert a Cisco CAPWAP AP to a Mobility Express AP

12/15/2017

17 Comments

 
This article will explains how to convert a CAPWAP AP to a Cisco Mobility Express AP. The AP model used as an example in this article is a Cisco Aironet 2802i.

Note: if you are planning on doing an AP-on-a-stick site survey with a Cisco Aironet 2800 or 3800, you will have to convert the AP to mobility express first.  Then, read this article on how to configure the mobility express AP for an APoS site survey.
​

Step 1 - Download the software images

The first thing that you will need to do is download the proper software images.

Here are the different software images you will need: 
  • The latest AireOS image available for the AP you are using (​Ex: ap3g3-k9w8-tar.153-3.JF1.tar)  (Optional: not required if AP is running v8.3 and up)
  • The latest Mobility Express image available for the AP you are using (Ex: AIR-AP2800-K9-ME-8-3-133-0.tar)

Note: If your CAPWAP AP is currently running a AireOS code lower than 8.3, you will need to upgrade to a version 8.3 or higher before converting the AP to Mobility Express.

Use the “show version” command in order to find out which AireOS version your AP is running. In my case, the AP was running version 8.2.151.0:
Picture

Step 2 - Connect to the AP and perform initial config

Here is my setup:
Picture
​The AP was powered on by a power injector and was directly connected to my laptop via an ethernet cable. This will be used to establish the network connectivity between the laptop and the AP for the TFTP transfer.
The AirConsole unit was connected to the console port of the AP. This will be used to establish the console connection to the AP for initial configurations.

Here is how I configured my wired NIC on my laptop:
Picture
The AP will later be configured with the 192.168.88.10/24 IP address.

But first, we need to connect to the AP using the console connection.
In order to do so, I have to connect to the AirConsole Unit via Bluetooth. I have detailed how I do this on this following article: www.semfionetworks.com/blog/easily-use-airconsole-on-macosx

You should then be able to login into the AP using the default credentials:
  • Username: Cisco
  • Password: Cisco
Picture
Note: I like using the logging console disable command as soon as I login in order to keep the log messages away from the console interface. Therefore, they won’t get in my way while I configure the AP and upgrade the software images.

You now can configure the network interface of the AP so it can establish connectivity with your laptop on the 192.168.88.0/24 networks. In order to do so, enter the following command:
  • capwap ap ip 192.168.88.10 255.255.255.0 192.168.88.1
Picture
You can validate this configuration by using the show ip interface brief command:
Picture
You can validate that you have network connectivity with your laptop using ping: ping 192.168.88.1.

At this point, you are ready to upload the new software images and convert the AP.

Step 3 - Start up the TFTP server

You will need a TFTP server to transfer these software images to your AP. In my case, I am using the application called  tftpServer on macOS.

Here is what you need to do regarding the TFTP server setup:
  • Star the application
  • Once the application is started, validate that it is listening on the 192.168.88.1 IP address
  • Validate what is the TFTP root directory (Ex: /private/tftpboot/)
  • Place the software images that you download in the TFTP root directory
Picture
If you want to double check that the TFTP server is up and running and listening on the right port, issue the following command in a terminal session: netstat -an | grep LISTEN | grep .69.

Step 4 - Upgrade the CAPWAP AP (Optional)

From the console connection, via CLI, enter the following command:
ap-type mobility-express tftp://<IP_TFTP_SERVER>/<IMAGE_FILENAME>

Here is an example: ap-type mobility-express tftp://192.168.88.1/ap3g3-k9w8-tar.153-3.JF1.tar
Picture
​The AP will reboot and install the new version.
Once the AP is back up, log back in using the default credentials (Cisco/Cisco) and issue the show version command in order to validate that the new version has been installed:
Picture

Step 5 - Install the Mobility Express image

From the console connection, via CLI, enter the following command:
ap-type mobility-express tftp://<IP_TFTP_SERVER>/<ME_IMAGE_FILENAME>

Here is an example: ap-type mobility-express tftp://192.168.88.1/AIR-AP2800-K9-ME-8-3-133-0.tar
Picture
You will now need to reboot the AP in order to install the new code using the following command:
reload
Picture
The AP will reboot and install the mobility express version.
Once the AP is back up, log back in using the default credentials (Cisco/Cisco) and issue the show version command in order to validate that the new version has been installed:
Picture
You can now see that the Mobility Express code version 8.3.133 has been installed on this AP.
The AP Image type is now MOBILITY EXPRESS IMAGE
The AP Configuration is now MOBILITY EXPRESS CAPABLE

Step 6 - What's next?

Depending on what you will use this AP for, these following articles will help you configure your Mobility Express AP and controller:
  • Configure the AP for an APoS site survey: https://www.semfionetworks.com/blog/configure-a-cisco-mobility-express-ap-for-an-apos-site-survey
  • Cisco Wave2 site survey how-to by Sam Clements: https://sc-wifi.com/2017/03/20/cisco-wave2-site-survey-how-to/
  • Configure the AP and ME controller for production by Rowell Dionicio: https://www.packet6.com/deploying-cisco-mobility-express/

Ressources

  • Cisco Mobility Express Deployment Guide–Release 8.3.102.0: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/technotes/8-3/b_Cisco_Mobility_Express_Deployment_Guide/b_Cisco_Mobility_Express_Deployment_Guide_chapter_010.html


Thank you for reading!

Cheers'



written by François Vergès
17 Comments
Romaric Okemba link
12/19/2017 15:48:54

Hey François, great article, I like the way you explain it. One question, could we convert any lightweit AP to mobile express or it concert a some Cisco AP model.
Thank you

Reply
François Vergès
12/19/2017 15:54:07

Hi Romaric,

No, not all model of APs are compatible with Mobility Express. Here is what is stated on Cisco's website: "APs with integrated controller functionality:
Cisco Aironet 1540 series, 1560 series, 1815i, 1815m, 1815w,1830 series, 1850 series, 2800 series, and 3800 series.*
APs without integrated controller functionality:
Cisco Aironet 700i, 700w, 1600 series, 1700 series, 1810w series, 2600 series, 2700 series, 3500 series, 3600 series, 3700 series"

Link: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/compatibility/matrix/compatibility-matrix.html#pgfId-393660

Thank you!

Reply
Romaric link
12/19/2017 15:58:06

Thank you for the Answer François, I think a bout and you did provided me with confirmation. It s awesome your blog.

Teddy link
12/24/2020 07:23:06

I want to run AP1810w with RLAN in Office Extend mode, how about this AP without integrated controller functionality:
Cisco Aironet 1810w series still can upgrade/convert to Mobile Express as Office Extend AP
Or this is needed to keep at CAPWAP as Office Extend AP ?? Thanks

Calin
4/28/2018 03:17:16

Hi there. The guide looks great. Do you know where can I possibly get the the .tar image for the Mobility Express? I have purchased the AP of ebay so I do not seem to have access to the CISCO firmware download page. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Reply
François Vergès
12/4/2018 09:37:03

Hi Calin, you need have a contract support with Cisco in order to be able to download the proper tar. You can contact Cisco and see with them. Thank you!

Reply
Fernando
6/29/2018 09:03:07

Hi, I have a problem. I can ping the AP from my computer but I can not ping the computer from the AP. What can I do?

Reply
Vijay
8/10/2018 17:32:39

disable firewall on computer

Reply
Fernando Di Silvestro
8/10/2018 17:47:28

Thanks a lot. The file .tar that I have doesn´t work. Where can I donwload the AIR-AP2800-K9-ME-8-3-133-0.tar file?

François Vergès
12/4/2018 09:37:55

Hi Vijay, you need have a contract support with Cisco in order to be able to download the proper tar. You can contact Cisco and see with them. Thank you!

Thang Huu
11/10/2018 12:09:08

Hi admin,
I have a issue like below:
- My device has Part number is AIR-AP1815W-S-K9
Right now, I dont have console cable to connect the device and I can't find out it in my contry (Vietnam).
Order information:
AIR-AP1815W-S-K9 Cisco Aironet 1815w Series
LIC-CT5520-1AP-INT Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller 1 AP Lic integrated with AP
AIR-AP-BRACKET-W3 AP1815w Series Mounting Bracket
SW1815W-CAPWAP-K9 Cisco 1815w Series CAPWAP Software Image

I haven't WLC to config AP, and AP IOS is CAPWAP so it's not standolone/ mobility express mode to config by web gui.
So what is the way help me access to AP with console and convert it to standalone mode?
Thanks so much!

Reply
Hem Kumar link
2/25/2019 11:28:56

Dear François, Its a great article, easy to understand. Good Job....:) God Bless....

Reply
WALID
5/7/2019 06:25:54

Hi François,

Great article, i used your steps but i'm getting this error while downloading the image:
#ap-type mobility-express tftp://192.168.2.20/AIR-AP1830-K9-8.2.110.0.tar
Starting the ME image download...
It may take a few minutes to finish download.
If it is longer, please abort command, check network connection and try again
######################################################################## 100.0%
Image transfer complete.
Image downloaded, writing to flash...
do CHECK_ME, part2 is active part
Image signing verify success.
Verify returns -3
upgrade.sh: btldr.bin signature verification failure, exit the script
Error: Image update failed.

Reply
Colin
8/9/2019 08:11:01

After conversion how do I setup several AP's 2800 series?

Reply
Bharat
11/8/2019 04:34:01

Hi François,

I have 2802I LWAP and if we need to join to Mobililty express Controller ,do we need to convert ap to mobility IOS and then AP will join or with LWAP IOS also it will join mobility express controller

Reply
Flemming Kragh Nielsen
4/30/2020 02:15:08

Hi François.
Thanks for a professional walk through to make this work. How ever if i navigate to the AP´s web interface, it doesn't show. The "old" [conf network webmode enable] command doesn't seems to work for the 2800 series.
Can you provide me with the information on how to enable it?

Regards and my respect
Flemming

Reply
aj link
10/20/2020 12:12:12

Really help full thank that helped me to set the image

Reply



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    François Vergès

    François Vergès is the founder of SemFio Networks. As a Network Engineer, he has a real passion for Wi-Fi.

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