Converting APs to Instant APs

Starting from ArubaOS 8.6.0.0, you can convert a Campus AP or a Remote AP to an Instant AP that is managed by Aruba Central, by using a new command—ap convert. However, Aruba does not support this feature for Instant AP deployments that are managed through AirWave or local WebUI, and recommends using this command only in lab or test environments for such deployments.

You can convert the APs, AP lists, or AP groups using local-flash or local image server options like ftp, tftp, http, https, or scp by copying the downloaded image from Aruba support to the local ftp/tftp/scp server. From that server, the managed device downloads the image to its ftp or tftp folder and then distributes the ftp or tftp URLs Uniform Resource Locator. URL is a global address used for locating web resources on the Internet. to Campus APs.

This feature is not supported on 320 Series AP models with 256 MB of SDRAM, manufactured between August 2015 and January 2016. These 320 Series AP models have a serial number that begins with DD (for example, DD0003824).
The converted APs are limited to the highest supported version of the corresponding Instant APs. For example, if AP-303 runs only up to Aruba Instant 8.6.0.0 version, the converted AP-303 will also support up to Aruba Instant 8.6.0.0 version.

This feature also supports conversion of APs based on AP groups or AP lists, which allows the user to manage the conversion seamlessly and also, avoid the high load on a managed device.

Ensure to disable the load balancing feature in a cluster to avoid the AP's movement to different managed devices during conversion.

To convert APs using local-flash option, upload the images in flash before issuing the following commands.

(host) [mynode] #ap convert active specific-aps local-flash <images>

(host) [mynode] #ap convert active all-aps local-flash <images>

To convert APs using image servers, issue one of the following commands depending on the mode.

(host) [mynode] #ap convert active all-aps server ftp: <ftphost> <user> <images >

(host) [mynode] #ap convert active specific-aps server ftp: <ftphost> <user> <images>

(host) [mynode] #ap convert active all-aps server scp: <scphost> <user> <images >

(host) [mynode] #ap convert active specific-aps server scp: <scphost> <user> <images>

(host) [mynode] #ap convert active all-aps server tftp: <tftphost> <images >

(host) [mynode] #ap convert active specific-aps server tftp: <tftphost> <images>

To add specific AP groups or AP names to convert, issue the following command.

(host) [mynode] #ap convert add ap-group <ap-group>

(host) [mynode] #ap convert add ap-name <ap-name>

To remove specific AP groups or AP names from list of conversion, issue the following command.

(host) [mynode] #ap convert delete ap-group <ap-group>

(host) [mynode] #ap convert delete ap-name <ap-name>

To clear all the APs from the list of conversion, issue the following command.

(host) [mynode] #ap convert clear-all

To abort the conversion of APs, issue the following command.

(host) [mynode] #ap convert cancel