Convert Cisco AP

Hardware in lab

In this tutorial we will convert Cisco AIR-CAP3502P-E-K9 (ap3g1-k9w8-mx.152-2.JA) into AIR-SAP3502P-E-K9 (ap3g1-k9w7-mx.152-4.JA1).

Here below you can see the AP description which does not change after conversion as manufacture PID is burnt in motherboard. See show inventory:

NAME: "AP3500", DESCR: "Cisco Aironet 3500 Series (IEEE 802.11n) Access Point"
PID: AIR-CAP3502P-E-K9 , VID: V01, SN: FCZ*****0RU

Software needed

You can use it as a regular autonomous AP without restrictions. In order to convert you need to download this code and convert it from CAPWAP mode to Autonomous IOS:

ap3g1-k9w7-tar.124-25d.JA.tar (forum confirmed)

Description:	WIRELESS LAN
Release:	12.4.25d-JA1
Release Date:	15/Aug/2011
File Name:	ap3g1-k9w7-tar.124-25d.JA1.tar
Min Memory:	DRAM 64 MB Flash 32 MB
Size:	6.21 MB (6512640 bytes)
MD5 Checksum:	d412138813bb16ec4cdd28cb41d2b690

The newest images available for Cisco Aironet 1260 Access Point from Cisco website

Description:	WIRELESS LAN
Release:	15.2.4-JB3a
Release Date:	24/Dec/2013
File Name:	ap3g1-k9w7-tar.152-4.JB3a.tar
Min Memory:	DRAM 128 MB Flash 32 MB
Size:	12.74 MB (13363200 bytes)
MD5 Checksum:	9127c418912c42973b9bc9c0fdec463b

Description:	WIRELESS LAN
Release:	15.2.4-JA1
Release Date:	31/Jul/2013
File Name:	ap3g1-k9w7-tar.152-4.JA1.tar
Min Memory:	DRAM 64 MB Flash 32 MB
Size:	12.69 MB (13301760 bytes)
MD5 Checksum:	ff7c7728c5af167b564896d0b057fdc5

Description:	WIRELESS LAN
Release:	12.4.25d-JA2
Release Date:	14/Sep/2012
File Name:	ap3g1-k9w7-tar.124-25d.JA2.tar
Min Memory:	DRAM 64 MB Flash 32 MB
Size:	6.21 MB (6512640 bytes)
MD5 Checksum:	7e59bd74861944315bb084452f9541f4

Info after conversion

ap#sh version
Cisco IOS Software, AP3G1 Software (AP3G1-K9W7-M), Version 15.2(4)JA1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2013 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Tue 30-Jul-13 22:52 by prod_rel_team

ROM: Bootstrap program is AP3G1 boot loader
BOOTLDR: AP3G1 Boot Loader (AP3G1-BOOT-M), Version 15.2 [chayan-apn-0411 116]

ap uptime is 5 minutes
System returned to ROM by power-on
System image file is "flash:/ap3g1-k9w7-mx.152-4.JA1/ap3g1-k9w7-xx.152-4.JA1"
Last reload reason:

<-- output omitted -->

cisco AIR-SAP3502P-E-K9 (PowerPC460exr) processor (revision A0) with 98294K/32768K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID FCZ1623Z0RU
PowerPC460exr CPU at 666Mhz, revision number 0x18A8
Last reset from power-on
1 Gigabit Ethernet interface
2 802.11 Radios

32K bytes of flash-simulated non-volatile configuration memory.
Base ethernet MAC Address: A4:4C:11:22:33:4D
Part Number                          : 73-12175-05
PCA Assembly Number                  : 800-32268-05
PCA Revision Number                  : A0
PCB Serial Number                    : FOC*****BMP
Top Assembly Part Number             : 800-32904-01
Top Assembly Serial Number           : FCZ*****0RU
Top Revision Number                  : A0
Product/Model Number                 : AIR-CAP3502P-E-K9

Configuration register is 0xF

AP3500/AP1260 - Boot Issues

The fix for this issue is now publicly available. Go to www.cisco.com to obtain Access Point (AP) IOS code version: 15.2(2)JA or later and/or WLC software version: 7.0.235.3 (or later 7.0 release), 7.2.111.3 (or later 7.2 release) or 7.3.101.0 (or later 7.3 release). As of June 2012, new AP3500 and AP1260 products with version ID (VID) V02 are free of this issue.

Reference

• Surveying with a 3502 (followup post) samswireless
• Surveying with a 3502 (followup post)sc-wifi.com
• Field Notice: FN - 63537 - AP3500/AP1260 - Boot Issues - Upgrade RequiredRevised September 25, 2012