Convert a Cisco CAPWAP AP to a Mobility Express AP
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.
STEP 2 - CONNECT TO THE AP AND PERFORM INITIAL CONFIG
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.
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
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
Step 3 - Start up the TFTP server
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
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>
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:
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>
reload
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:
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!
My AP keeps rebooting because it can’t reach the CAPWAP before the image finishes transferring. How do I prevent that?
I don’t have a WLC so I am completely unable to convert this to ME? Everywhere I look says there’s no way to stop or pause the WLC Discovery. Any help would be appreciated.
Awesome read and full explanation. I went a few different routes but the instruction and detail are fantastic
I keep getting an error saying the capwap version does not support Mobility Express 🙁
“upgrade.sh: Image provided does not support Mobility Express functionality, Please get the proper image and try again”
I am trying : ap3g3-k9w8-tar.153-3.JF.tar