What is the deal with these Express APs??? More like PITA APs. I found out (the hard way) you cannot configure them via SSH or Telnet, but if you use the console cable you get full access.. What’s the point in that? I know they’re for the un-techy business owner type person but if the AP is able to be configured via the console cable then you should have the same access via SSH or Telnet – especially since it lets you connect and log in. The “conf t” command is missing.
You might be thinking at this point “just use the gui like they have been made for” – Well that would be fine if the gui actually worked… The only thing I was able to do is lower the AP power and change the frequency. If i try to change PSK and some other things like setting mbssid I get “ERROR 404″ which means it isnt found.
I loaded the image via a tar file so the web pages should be there..
If anyone has found these to be different from what I have ranted about, please let me know! I’ve tried two IOS versions and both are the same.
I suppose there is always the possibility of that.
When the AP was purchased, it was a Lightweight AP. To convert it back to Autonomous, I loaded the .tar file. During the process it formats the flash:. When I discovered the problems, I tried again with a slightly older software image. But I got the exact same results. There is even a configuration option on one page that is not configurable on the AP because it is a 521-Express.. Although that option is available on the 1131. Its for this reason, I loaded back the newer .tar file and left it as that.
To answer your first question, I couldnt / didn’t try it out of the box because it was leightweight.
There is a way to reset the AP. During this process it broadcasts for a tftp server from ip address 10.0.0.1. It looks for a specific image. If it finds the image, it validates it. If it checks okay, it formats the flash: and loads / installs the new image.
Job done. Why wouldn’t it be possible? Not that I am disbileving you, just asking.
Its the same. If you want an analogy you would be better thing of air filters and different car engines. Yes the car is the same, its just a different item that fits the car. I’ve done this before to other cisco APs, the software runs on the same hardware. I have heard of some APs not being able to run in both modes but cisco sells 1131s and 521s in both modes.
I would still like to try out the 500 express ap’s with the controller. I think controllers are top notch pieces of equipment even if they are flawed and very expensive – if you make the use out of them / plan and configure accordingly you can get round these.
