CAPWAP Firmware – How to Preload Autonomous AP with Latest CAPWAP Firmware from WLC

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We are running a Cisco WLC 5508 with version 7.6.120. We have over 100 autonomous APs around the globe. The latest CAPWAP firmware from Cisco's website for these APs contains CAPWAP code for 7.6.100, not 7.6.120. So each AP I load this with and reboot will then download the latest firmware from the WLC so it has 7.6.120.

This causes a lot more downtime on the APs, especially ones over poor WAN connections. Some sites are 24/7 operations and downtime on the APs can cause production problems if there is not adequate overlapping WIFI coverage.

So I am trying to find a way to pull the update from WLC manually to my laptop to preload on the AP so when I reboot it I only need to configure it in WLC, not wait for it to download another full firmware package. That or send the latest code direct from the WLC to the autonomous AP.

Is this possible? Or am I stuck loading firmware twice on these APs to convert them?

EDIT: The AP models are 1252, 1262, 2602E, and 3602E all running various 15.X autonomous firmware.

EDIT3: I've tried Smithers' suggestion of grabbing the firmware from a fully updated CAPWAP AP connected to the WLC. It appears to work when I generate the tar file:

ap-01#archive upload-sw flash:2602.tar
Image info:
    Version Suffix: k9w8-.152-4.JB5
    Image Name: ap3g2-k9w8-mx.152-4.JB5
    Version Directory: ap3g2-k9w8-mx.152-4.JB5
    Ios Image Size: 215552
    Total Image Size: 13701632
    Image Feature: WIRELESS LAN|LWAPP
    Image Family: AP3G2
    Wireless Switch Management Version: 7.6.120.0

However, when I try to load this file on an AP, I get a different set of info for the image. Direct from the info file in the tar file:

version_suffix: diagk9w7-.152
version_directory: ap3g2-diagk9w7-mx.152
image_name: ap3g2-diagk9w7-mx.152
ios_image_file_size: 215552
total_image_file_size: 10097152
image_feature: WIRELESS LAN|LWAPP
image_family: AP3G2
system_type: 0x9b
ws_management_version: 7.6.1.118
info_end:

I am unsure why this is a "diag" image and why it is 7.6.1.118 instead of 7.6.120.0.

Best Answer

Turns out this is a bug and is on file already with Cisco.

From Cisco TAC:

A bug has already been filed on this type of scenario. Here is the bug ID- CSCuo44475

This should be addressed starting with the 8.0 FCS / 7.6 MR3(7.6.130.0) releases - i.e. at that point you should be able to download the applicable k9w8 image, install it on the AP, and then join that AP directly to a WLC, without having to re-download the software.

7.6.130.0 is expected to be released by end of this month and 8.0 in September.

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