Cisco Cisco Aironet 1310 Access Point Bridge Information Guide

A. LAPs use Lightweight AP Protocol (LWAPP), and when they join a WLC, the WLC sends
the LAPs all the configuration parameters and firmware. Refer to the Wireless LAN
Controller and Lightweight Access Point Basic Configuration Example for a basic setup.

A. No, only LAPs work when they are connected to a WLC. Autonomous APs do not
understand the Lightweight AP Protocol (LWAPP) or the CAPWAP protocol that the WLC
uses. In order to connect an autonomous AP to a WLC, you must first convert the
autonomous AP to lightweight mode.

A. Yes, but not all the autonomous Cisco IOS Software−based AP models can be converted.
These are the models that you can convert to Lightweight AP Protocol (LWAPP) mode:

All Cisco Aironet 1130 AG APs

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All Aironet 1240 AG APs

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For all Cisco IOS Software−based Aironet 1200 Series modular AP (1200/1220
Cisco IOS Software upgrade, 1210, and 1230 AP) platforms, the ability to convert the
AP depends on the radio.

If the radio is IEEE 802.11g, MP21G and MP31G are supported.

◊ 

If the radio is IEEE 802.11a, RM21A and RM22A are supported.

◊ 

You can upgrade the 1200 Series APs with any combination of supported radios:

G only

◊ 

A only

◊ 

Both G and A

◊ 

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Note: An autonomous AP must run Cisco IOS Software Release 12.3(7)JA or later before
you can convert it to LWAPP.

Note: Only the Cisco 4400 and 2006 wireless LAN controllers (WLCs) support autonomous
APs that have been converted to lightweight mode. Cisco WLCs must run a minimum
software version of 3.1. The Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) must run a minimum
version of 3.1. The upgrade utility is supported on the Microsoft Windows 2000 and
Windows XP platforms.

Refer to Upgrading Autonomous Cisco Aironet Access Points to Lightweight Mode for
details on how to perform the conversion.

A. Keep these guidelines in mind when you use autonomous access points that have been
converted to lightweight mode: