How to Convert a Cisco Access Point from CAPWAP to Mobility Express

Converting a Cisco Access Point (AP) from CAPWAP to Mobility Express can provide enhanced features and a more flexible management solution. Here's a detailed guide to help you perform this conversion:

Table of Contents

• Requirements
• Steps to Convert
  • Download the Mobility Express Software Image
  • Set Up a TFTP Server
  • Connect to the AP
  • Transfer the Image to the AP
  • Boot into Mobility Express
  • Initial Setup of Mobility Express
• Final Steps
• Troubleshooting

Requirements

1. Cisco Access Point: Ensure the AP model supports Mobility Express.
2. Software Image: Download the Mobility Express software image from the Cisco website.
3. TFTP Server: Required to transfer the image to the AP.
4. Network Connectivity: Ensure the AP is connected to your network.

Steps to Convert

1. Download the Mobility Express Software Image

1. Go to the Cisco Software Download page.
2. Navigate to Wireless > Access Points > your specific model.
3. Download the latest Mobility Express software image.

2. Set Up a TFTP Server

1. Install a TFTP server on your computer (e.g., Tftpd32 for Windows, or TFTP Server for macOS/Linux).
2. Place the downloaded Mobility Express software image in the TFTP server’s root directory.

3. Connect to the AP

1. Connect to the Cisco AP via console cable.
2. Open a terminal emulator (e.g., PuTTY, Tera Term) and connect to the AP’s console port.
3. Power on the AP and wait for it to boot.

4. Transfer the Image to the AP

1. Once the AP is up, enter privileged EXEC mode:

   enable

2. Enter global configuration mode:

   configure terminal

3. Use the following command to initiate the image transfer:

   archive download-sw /overwrite /force-reload tftp://<TFTP_server_IP>/<image_filename>

   Replace <TFTP_server_IP> with the IP address of your TFTP server and <image_filename> with the name of the Mobility Express image file.

4. Wait for the image to be transferred and the AP to reload.

5. Boot into Mobility Express

1. After the AP reloads, it should boot into Mobility Express mode.
2. Connect to the AP's console again and verify the boot process. You should see Mobility Express boot messages.

6. Initial Setup of Mobility Express

1. Once the AP has booted into Mobility Express, it will broadcast an SSID named CiscoAirProvision.
2. Connect to this SSID using a laptop or mobile device.
3. Open a web browser and go to http://192.168.1.1. You will be prompted to complete the initial setup wizard.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your network name, admin credentials, and other settings.

Final Steps

• Verification: After completing the setup wizard, verify that the AP is operating in Mobility Express mode by accessing the Mobility Express web interface.
• Configure Additional Settings: Configure any additional settings required for your wireless network, such as security policies, additional SSIDs, and network optimization settings.

Troubleshooting

• Console Access: Ensure you have console access in case something goes wrong during the conversion process.
• TFTP Transfer: If the TFTP transfer fails, check your TFTP server settings and network connectivity.
• Compatibility: Verify that your AP model supports Mobility Express before starting the conversion.

By following these steps, you can successfully convert a Cisco Access Point from CAPWAP to Mobility Express, providing a robust and flexible wireless management solution for your network.