AIR-LAP1242AG-A-K9 configure command does not seem to exist

Question

I have an AIR-LAP1242AG-A-K9. Straight out of the box I thought it would have the GUI functional but this is not the case. I am brand new to Cisco products so it is taking me a while to get use to them and to TelNet but from what I have read in about 6 different manuals none have explained how I can access the configure terminal command when It doesn't show up. I am in privileged mode with access of:
AP001c.588e.a266#show privilege
Current privilege level is 15
Version is 12.3(7)JA1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1). I haven't changed any settings except the ip settings and time and date.
AP001c.588e.a266# ? gives me
cd Change current directory
clear Reset functions
clock Manage the system clock
crypto Encryption related commands.
debug Debugging functions (see also 'undebug')
delete Delete a file
dir List files on a filesystem
disable Turn off privileged commands
enable Turn on privileged commands
exit Exit from the EXEC
fsck Fsck a filesystem
help Description of the interactive help system
led LED functions
lock Lock the terminal
login Log in as a particular user
logout Exit from the EXEC
lwapp lwapp exec commands
mkdir Create new directory
more Display the contents of a file
name-connection Name an existing network connection
no Disable debugging functions
ping Send echo messages
but no configure command
If I try to use the configure command I get
AP001c.588e.a266#configure terminal
^
% Invalid input detected at '^' marker
If it helps any if I use show configuration command:
startup-config is not present
If I can't get into global configuration mode I cant enable the GUI, turn on the wireless, or do much of anything else so I need some help.
Any would be appreciated,
Matt Brown

Answer 1

Hi Matt,
The problem here is that the AP you received is a Lightweight AP which is meant to be used with Wireless Lan Controllers and WCS. The "LAP" portion of the part number shows this Lightweight designation. This can be converted to an Autonomous/stand-alone AP that you desire;
Here is a conversion method;
Reverting the Access Point Back to Autonomous Mode
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/wireless/ps430/prod_technical_reference09186a00804fc3dc.html#wp161272
You can convert an access point from lightweight mode back to autonomous mode by loading a Cisco IOS Release that supports autonomous mode (Cisco IOS release 12.3(7)JA or earlier). If the access point is associated to a controller, you can use the controller to load the Cisco IOS release. If the access point is not associated to a controller, you can load the Cisco IOS release using TFTP.
Using a TFTP Server to Return to a Previous Release
Follow these steps to revert from LWAPP mode to autonomous mode by loading a Cisco IOS release using a TFTP server:
Step 1 The static IP address of the PC on which your TFTP server software runs should be between 10.0.0.2 and 10.0.0.30.
Step 2 Make sure that the PC contains the access point image file (such as c1200-k9w7-tar.122-15.JA.tar for a 1200 series access point) in the TFTP server folder and that the TFTP server is activated.
Step 3 Rename the access point image file in the TFTP server folder to c1200-k9w7-tar.default for a 1200 series access point, c1130-k9w7-tar.default for an 1130 series access point, and c1240-k9w7-tar.default for a 1240 series access point.
Step 4 Connect the PC to the access point using a Category 5 (CAT5) Ethernet cable.
Step 5 Disconnect power from the access point.
Step 6 Press and hold MODE while you reconnect power to the access point.
Step 7 Hold the MODE button until the status LED turns red (approximately 20 to 30 seconds) and then release.
Step 8 Wait until the access point reboots, as indicated by all LEDs turning green followed by the Status LED blinking green.
Step 9 After the access point reboots, reconfigure it using the GUI or the CLI.
From this doc;
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/wireless/ps430/prod_technical_reference09186a00804fc3dc.html#wp161272
Hope this helps!
Rob