Pre-requisites:
Cisco 1850 series access point must not join any existing controller in the network. If so, disconnect or isolate the AP from joining any controller in the network.
Convert CAPWAP to Mobility Express
Step 1: Download the latest Mobility Express release from your Cisco Smartnet portal.
Step 2: Configure TFTP server and configure the latest downloaded file, something like tftp://10.10.10.1/AIR-AP1850-K9-8.2.130.0.tar
Step 3: Connect AP via serial cable. The default username and password of Cisco 18500 series access points is Cisco and Cisco (note that C is capital).
Step 4: Enter privilege mode by typing enable. Password is Cisco
Step 5: Enter show version on the AP.
APDCCE.C11E.23D0# show version
OM: Bootstrap program is U-Boot boot loader
BOOTLDR: U-Boot boot loader Version 21
$2.75 per monthAPDCCE.C11E.23D0 uptime is 0 days, 0 hours, 2 minutes
Last reload time : Thu Jun 30 15:57:16 UTC 2016
Last reload reason : capwapd triggered reboot
cisco AIR-AP1852I-E-K9 ARMv7 Processor rev 0 (v7l) with 997136/786696K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID KWC195102F8
AP Running Image : 8.2.100.0
Primary Boot Image : 8.2.100.0
Backup Boot Image : 0.0.0.0
2 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
2 802.11 Radios
Radio FW version : 0a4f55efe8a32b394e3881a2a53a5db0
NSS FW version : NSS.AK.1.0.c4-00026-E_custC-1.24160.1.29595.1
Base ethernet MAC Address : DC:CE:C1:1E:23:D0
Part Number : 0-0000-00
PCA Assembly Number : 074-13149-01
PCA Revision Number : 01
PCB Serial Number : KWC195102F8
Top Assembly Part Number : 000-00000-00
Top Assembly Serial Number : KWC195102F8
Top Revision Number : A0
Product/Model Number : AIR-AP1852I-E-K9
In the above output, you can see that there is no AP Image Type and AP Configuration , so we can further proceed to convert AP to Mobility Express.
Step 6: Verify now that AP can reach the TFTP server and upload the latest downloaded version.
APDCCE.C11E.23D0#ap-type mobility-express tftp://10.10.10.1/AIR-AP1850-K9-8.2.130.0.tar
After image is downloaded, it writes to flash and reboots.
Step 7: After reboots, AP broadcasts CiscoAirProvision SSID. You can start configuration Mobility Express by following our article – Configure Cisco 1850 Series Mobility Express AP.
In Step 4, if you see AP Image Type is Mobility Express Image and AP Configuration is Not Mobility Express Capable, then you need to just change AP configuration to Mobility Express Capable.
APDCCE.C11E.23D0# ap-type mobility-express tftp://10.10.10.1/AIR-AP1850-K9-8.2.130.0.tar
AP reboots and comes up as AP Configuration Mobility Express Cable.
