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Release Notes for Cisco Aironet Conversion Upgrade Image 2.0 for Cisco IOS Software for Cisco Aironet 350 Series Access Points

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Table Of Contents

Release Notes for Cisco Aironet Conversion Upgrade Image for Cisco IOS Software
for Cisco Aironet 350 Series Access Points

Contents

Introduction

System Requirements

Finding the Software Version

Obtaining the Conversion Upgrade Image

Using the Conversion Upgrade Image

Using the Upgrade Image with the Conversion Tool

Using the Upgrade Image Without the Conversion Tool

Upgrade Troubleshooting

Access Point Still Running VxWorks

Access Point Operating with Limited Command Set

Important Notes

Some Fields Not Updated During Upgrade to IOS Software

Caveats

Troubleshooting

Related Documentation

Obtaining Documentation

Cisco.com

Documentation CD-ROM

Ordering Documentation

Documentation Feedback

Obtaining Technical Assistance

Cisco TAC Website

Opening a TAC Case

TAC Case Priority Definitions

Obtaining Additional Publications and Information


Release Notes for Cisco Aironet Conversion Upgrade Image for Cisco IOS Software
for Cisco Aironet 350 Series Access Points

November 17, 2003

These release notes describe features and caveats for the Cisco Aironet Conversion Upgrade Image for Cisco IOS software for Cisco Aironet 350 Series Access Points.

Contents

These release notes contain the following sections:

•Introduction

•System Requirements

•Obtaining the Conversion Upgrade Image

•Using the Conversion Upgrade Image

•Important Notes

•Troubleshooting

•Related Documentation

•Obtaining Documentation

•Documentation Feedback

•Obtaining Technical Assistance

•Obtaining Additional Publications and Information

Introduction

The Cisco IOS Conversion Upgrade Image for Cisco Aironet 350 Series Access Points converts a 350 series access point system from VxWorks software to Cisco IOS Release 12.2(13)JA1.

When you use the upgrade image with the Cisco Aironet Conversion Tool for Cisco IOS Software, the upgrade image and the conversion tool maintain the access point configuration while converting the access point system to IOS operation. When you load the upgrade image onto an access point without using the conversion tool, the upgrade image converts the access point system to IOS software with all settings at factory defaults.

System Requirements

Your 350 series access point must run one of these VxWorks firmware versions to use the upgrade image:

12.03T, 12.02T1, 12.01T1, 12.00T, 11.23T, and 11.21

Note The upgrade image and the conversion tool do not support VxWorks version 12.04. Access points running operating system version 12.04 must be downgraded to a supported operating system version before using the upgrade image or the conversion tool.

Note Cisco Aironet 340 Series Access Points do not support IOS software. Do not attempt to load the upgrade image on 340 series access points.

Finding the Software Version

On 350 series access points that do not run IOS software, the software version appears in red at the top left of most pages in the web-browser interface. The home page on access points not running IOS software looks like the page in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Home Page on Access Points not Running Cisco IOS Software

Obtaining the Conversion Upgrade Image

Follow these steps to download a copy of the upgrade image:

Step 1 Click this link to browse to the Cisco IOS Software Center on Cisco.com:

http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-ios.shtml

Step 2 In the menu on the left, click Wireless Software to go to the Wireless LAN Software page.

Step 3 On the Wireless LAN Software page, click Option #2: Aironet Wireless Software Display Tables.

Step 4 Under Cisco Aironet Access Point Firmware and Utilities, click Cisco Aironet 350 Series (VxWorks).

Step 5 Select the most recent release of the upgrade image, such as AP350-Cisco-IOS-Upgrade-Image-v2.img.

Step 6 On the Encryption Authorization Form, enter the requested information, read the encryption information, and check the boxes that apply.

Step 7 Click Submit.

Step 8 Read and accept the terms and conditions of the Software License Agreement.

Step 9 Select the upgrade image again to download it.

Step 10 Save the upgrade image on your computer or on a local drive on your network.

Using the Conversion Upgrade Image

If your 350 series access point does not run IOS software, you can use the conversion tool and the upgrade image or the upgrade image alone to convert the access point system to IOS operation.

Caution The upgrade to Cisco IOS software is permanent. You cannot revert to non-IOS software after the upgrade.

Using the Upgrade Image with the Conversion Tool

Use the upgrade image with the conversion tool to maintain the current access point configuration after the conversion. Refer to the Cisco Aironet Conversion Tool for Cisco IOS Software Administrator Guide for Windows for complete instructions on using the upgrade image with the conversion tool. Click this link to browse to the Cisco Aironet Conversion Tool for Cisco IOS Software Administrator Guide for Windows:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/wireless/ps458/prod_technical_documentation.html

Using the Upgrade Image Without the Conversion Tool

To convert to IOS operation without maintaining the current access point configuration, load the upgrade image on the access point just as you would when performing a firmware upgrade.

Follow these steps to convert your access point system to IOS operation and reset the configuration to factory defaults:

Step 1 Type the access point's IP address in your browser's address line to browse to the access point web-browser interface.

Step 2 Click Setup on the Summary Setup screen.

Step 3 Under Services, click Cisco Services.

Step 4 Under Fully Update Firmware, click Through Browser.

Step 5 Click Browse to browse to the upgrade image file and select it.

Step 6 Click Browser Update Now. The upgrade process begins.

When the upgrade completes, a message appears that asks you to wait for the access point to reboot.

Note The access point might take up to 30 minutes to reboot after the upgrade. Do not attempt to reset the access point before the reboot is complete.

After it reboots, the access point runs IOS software. To access your IOS access point, browse to the access point and enter Cisco as the administrator username and Cisco as the password.

Upgrade Troubleshooting

This section describes how to troubleshoot and correct problems that sometimes occur during the upgrade from VxWorks to IOS software.

If the access point does not have enough available DRAM, the upgrade can fail. There are two types of upgrade failures, one in which the access point continues to run VxWorks instead of IOS software, and one in which the access point runs IOS software with a limited command set. These sections describe each failure type and the steps you take to correct the problem:

•Access Point Still Running VxWorks

•Access Point Operating with Limited Command Set

Access Point Still Running VxWorks

After the upgrade process, the access point reboots in VxWorks mode. It should reboot running IOS software. The VxWorks operating system is fully loaded and the access point can associate clients and operate normally.

Symptoms

If you have a console connection during this type of task failure, warnings similar to the following are displayed while the task is running: 

Retrieving file "10.0.0.11:UpgradeImage10.0.0.108Jun20.img" via TFTP.

*** Suppressing console event log display due to low memory.

*** Restarting System in 5 seconds...

*** Recovered from low-memory condition. Restoring normal console event log display.

If you do not have a console connection, the only observable symptom is the behavior of the access point LEDs, which blink in an unfamiliar pattern.

Recovery

Make sure that the access point has at least 4 MB of DRAM available per task. To display the amount of available DRAM, use the following VxWorks command during a console or Telnet session with the access point:

:vxdiag_memshow

Output similar to the following is displayed: 

(Auto Apply On) :BOttom, :Down, :Back, ^R, =, <ENTER>, or [Link Text]: :vxdiag_memshow


status

bytes

blocks

avg block

max block

current
        
free

3263544 

370

8820

2875056 

alloc

10061376

5490

1832

  
cumulative
        
alloc

11956232

16310

733

 

This example shows that 3,263,544 bytes (or about 3.2 MB) of DRAM are available (see the number in the "bytes" column above). This is not enough DRAM to upgrade an access point running VxWorks to IOS software.

You can free some DRAM by:

•Terminating non-critical processes.

•Setting non-IP related configurations back to the default values.

•Disabling extra memory allocations used by some SNMP functions.

•Changing some event handling configurations on the access point. Set the maximum number of bytes stored per alert packet to 0 and set maximum memory reserved for detailed event trace buffer (bytes) to 0. (Making these configuration changes requires that you reboot the access point.)

After freeing DRAM, use the :vxdiag_memshow command to confirm that there is enough DRAM to perform the upgrade to IOS software.

Access Point Operating with Limited Command Set

After the upgrade process, the access point does not have any operating system fully loaded and is operating with a limited command set. The access point has only limited functionality and cannot associate clients.

Symptoms

When the access point reboots during the upgrade or after a failed upgrade, you see a display similar to the following: 


Problem Description: System ID: 0009E8D2698E

Motherboard: IBM405 200MHz, 8192KB FLASH, 16384KB DRAM, Revision 03

Bootstrap Ver. 1.00: FLASH, CRC 1C914641 (OK)

Initialization: OK


Memory Bank				total			used			left

   DRAM				16742624			0			16742624

   Config				524288			0			524288

   FLASH				7602176			0			7602176

Memory Bank:File              address          size        encoding type           flags

Recovery

The menu displayed is the VxWorks bootloader, which is functionally equivalent to IOS ROM Monitor (ROMMON). Neither full operating system is loaded or available, so neither full command set is available.

Follow these steps to restart the upgrade process and resume access point operation:

Step 1 If your 1200 series access point has an 802.11a radio module, remove the module. You can reinstall the module after the upgrade process is complete.

Step 2 Verify that the connection settings in the terminal application are 9600-8-None-1 and NO flow control (not hardware or software).

Step 3 Format the Flash memory to accept the VxWorks upgrade image:

a. Press Control-Z to display the hidden format menu.

b. Press ! (exclamation point) to select Format. The option to format Flash is usually selected by pressing 3.

c. Press Y (uppercase Y) to confirm the Flash memory reformat. After a few moments, the bootloader menu appears.

Step 4 Press l [lowercase L] to put the access point in receiving mode. The file transfer protocol (usually Xmodem-1k) is displayed and characters begin scrolling across the line, indicating that the access point is ready to receive data.

Step 5 Start the file transfer:

a. In HyperTerminal, select Transfer, then Send File.

b. Select the same file transfer protocol you selected in Step 4.

c. Browse to the AP350-Cisco-IOS-Upgrade-Image-v2.img file on the hard drive.

d. Click Send.

After the file is transferred to the access point, the bootloader menu is redisplayed and the file listing shows that the files compressed inside AP350-Cisco-IOS-Upgrade-Image-v2.img are located in the access point DRAM.

Step 6 Copy the files from the access point DRAM to Flash memory:

a. Press c to copy.

b. Press 3 to select Flash memory as the copy destination.

c. Select the appropriate option for each of the files listed in DRAM.

d. Repeat this process for each of the files in DRAM.

The bootloader menu and file listing is redisplayed, showing the progress of DRAM files being copied into Flash memory.

Step 7 Reboot the access point. The upgrade process should proceed normally.

You should see these messages displayed during a successful upgrade: 

flashfs[0]: Checking block 25...bad block number (-1)

flashfs[0]: erasing block 25...done.

flashfs[0]: Checking block 26...bad block number (-1)

flashfs[0]: erasing block 26...done.

flashfs[0]: Checking block 27...bad block number (-1)

flashfs[0]: erasing block 27...done.

Important Notes

This section describes important information about the upgrade to IOS software. For more information on Cisco IOS releases for access points, refer to the release notes for specific releases.

Some Fields Not Updated During Upgrade to IOS Software

Some fields that are reported in the console messages during the upgrade are blank or are populated with zeros. However, blank or zero fields are normal after a successful upgrade, because the 350 series access point does not support that information. This example shows fields that might appear blank or populated with zeros: 


32K bytes of flash-simulated non-volatile configuration memory.

Base Ethernet MAC Address: 00:05:9A:38:42:91

Part Number								:	0-0000-00

PCA Assembly Number								:	000-00000-00

PCA Revision Number								:

PCB Serial Number								:

Top Assembly Part Number								:	000-00000-00

Top Assembly Serial Number								:

Top Revision Number								:

Product/Model Number								:	AIR-AP352-IOS-UPGRD

Caveats

For a description of the open and closed caveats, refer to the Release Notes for Cisco Aironet 350, 1100, and 1200 Series Access Points for Cisco IOS Release 12.2(13)JA1.

Troubleshooting

For the most up-to-date, detailed troubleshooting information, refer to the Cisco TAC website at http://www.cisco.com/tac. Click Technology Support, select Wireless/Mobility from the menu on the left, and click WLAN (Wireless, LAN).

Related Documentation

This section lists documents related to Cisco IOS Release 12.2(13)JA1 and to 350, 1100, and 1200 series access points.

•Cisco Aironet Conversion Tool for Cisco IOS Software, 2.0 Administrator Guide for Windows

•Quick Start Guide: Cisco Aironet 350 Series Access Points

•Quick Start Guide: Cisco Aironet 1100 Series Access Points

•Quick Start Guide: Cisco Aironet 1200 Series Access Points

•Cisco IOS Software Configuration Guide for Cisco Aironet Access Points

•Cisco IOS Command Reference for Cisco Aironet Access Points and Bridges

•Installation Instructions for Cisco Aironet Power Injectors

Obtaining Documentation

Cisco provides several ways to obtain documentation, technical assistance, and other technical resources. These sections explain how to obtain technical information from Cisco Systems.

Cisco.com

You can access the most current Cisco documentation on the World Wide Web at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/home/home.htm

You can access the Cisco website at this URL:

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International Cisco websites can be accessed from this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/public/countries_languages.shtml

Documentation CD-ROM

Cisco documentation and additional literature are available in a Cisco Documentation CD-ROM package, which may have shipped with your product. The Documentation CD-ROM is updated regularly and may be more current than printed documentation. The CD-ROM package is available as a single unit or through an annual or quarterly subscription.

Registered Cisco.com users can order a single Documentation CD-ROM (product number DOC-CONDOCCD=) through the Cisco Ordering tool:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/ordering/ordering_place_order_ordering_tool_launch.html

All users can order annual or quarterly subscriptions through the online Subscription Store:

http://www.cisco.com/go/subscription

Click Subscriptions & Promotional Materials in the left navigation bar.

Ordering Documentation

You can find instructions for ordering documentation at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/es_inpck/pdi.htm

You can order Cisco documentation in these ways:

•Registered Cisco.com users (Cisco direct customers) can order Cisco product documentation from the Networking Products MarketPlace:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/ordering/index.shtml

•Nonregistered Cisco.com users can order documentation through a local account representative by calling Cisco Systems Corporate Headquarters (California, USA) at 408 526-7208 or, elsewhere in North America, by calling 800 553-NETS (6387).

Documentation Feedback

You can submit e-mail comments about technical documentation to bug-doc@cisco.com.

You can submit comments by using the response card (if present) behind the front cover of your document or by writing to the following address:

Cisco Systems
Attn: Customer Document Ordering
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134-9883

We appreciate your comments.

Obtaining Technical Assistance

For all customers, partners, resellers, and distributors who hold valid Cisco service contracts, the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides 24-hour-a-day, award-winning technical support services, online and over the phone. Cisco.com features the Cisco TAC website as an online starting point for technical assistance. If you do not hold a valid Cisco service contract, please contact your reseller.

Cisco TAC Website

The Cisco TAC website (http://www.cisco.com/tac) provides online documents and tools for troubleshooting and resolving technical issues with Cisco products and technologies. The Cisco TAC website is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Accessing all the tools on the Cisco TAC website requires a Cisco.com user ID and password. If you have a valid service contract but do not have a login ID or password, register at this URL:

http://tools.cisco.com/RPF/register/register.do

Opening a TAC Case

Using the online TAC Case Open Tool (http://www.cisco.com/tac/caseopen) is the fastest way to open P3 and P4 cases. (P3 and P4 cases are those in which your network is minimally impaired or for which you require product information.) After you describe your situation, the TAC Case Open Tool automatically recommends resources for an immediate solution. If your issue is not resolved using the recommended resources, your case will be assigned to a Cisco TAC engineer.

For P1 or P2 cases (P1 and P2 cases are those in which your production network is down or severely degraded) or if you do not have Internet access, contact Cisco TAC by telephone. Cisco TAC engineers are assigned immediately to P1 and P2 cases to help keep your business operations running smoothly.

To open a case by telephone, use one of the following numbers:

Asia-Pacific: +61 2 8446 7411 (Australia: 1 800 805 227)
EMEA: +32 2 704 55 55
USA: 1 800 553-2447

For a complete listing of Cisco TAC contacts, go to this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/687/Directory/DirTAC.shtml

TAC Case Priority Definitions

To ensure that all cases are reported in a standard format, Cisco has established case priority definitions.

Priority 1 (P1)—Your network is "down" or there is a critical impact to your business operations. You and Cisco will commit all necessary resources around the clock to resolve the situation.

Priority 2 (P2)—Operation of an existing network is severely degraded, or significant aspects of your business operation are negatively affected by inadequate performance of Cisco products. You and Cisco will commit full-time resources during normal business hours to resolve the situation.

Priority 3 (P3)—Operational performance of your network is impaired, but most business operations remain functional. You and Cisco will commit resources during normal business hours to restore service to satisfactory levels.

Priority 4 (P4)—You require information or assistance with Cisco product capabilities, installation, or configuration. There is little or no effect on your business operations.

Obtaining Additional Publications and Information

Information about Cisco products, technologies, and network solutions is available from various online and printed sources.

•The Cisco Product Catalog describes the networking products offered by Cisco Systems, as well as ordering and customer support services. Access the Cisco Product Catalog at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/products_catalog_links_launch.html

•Cisco Press publishes a wide range of general networking, training and certification titles. Both new and experienced users will benefit from these publications. For current Cisco Press titles and other information, go to Cisco Press online at this URL:

http://www.ciscopress.com

•Packet magazine is the Cisco quarterly publication that provides the latest networking trends, technology breakthroughs, and Cisco products and solutions to help industry professionals get the most from their networking investment. Included are networking deployment and troubleshooting tips, configuration examples, customer case studies, tutorials and training, certification information, and links to numerous in-depth online resources. You can access Packet magazine at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/packet

•iQ Magazine is the Cisco bimonthly publication that delivers the latest information about Internet business strategies for executives. You can access iQ Magazine at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/go/iqmagazine

•Internet Protocol Journal is a quarterly journal published by Cisco Systems for engineering professionals involved in designing, developing, and operating public and private internets and intranets. You can access the Internet Protocol Journal at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/about/ac123/ac147/about_cisco_the_internet_protocol_journal.html

•Training—Cisco offers world-class networking training. Current offerings in network training are listed at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/learning/index.html

This document is to be used in conjunction with the documents listed in the Related Documentation section.

Copyright © 2003 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Printed in the USA on recycled paper containing 10% postconsumer waste.