AP joining process (1.b) -- What is Discovery mechanism - 3?

Hello everyone

In this post, I will explain that How to use Capwap discovery request and response to find out WLC  --- Discovery by static configuration. 

Before to do that, you need give the following commands on your AP.

AP# capwap ap ip address 172.33.67.231 255.255.255.0
AP# capwap ap ip default-gateway 172.33.67.254
AP# capwap ap ip primary-base CT5508 172.33.68.10

AP#show capwap ip config                                           
LWAPP Static IP Configuration
IP Address         172.33.67.231    
IP netmask         255.255.255.0    
Default Gateway    172.33.67.254  
Primary Controller 172.33.68.10

By using "capwap ap ip primary-base CT5508 172.33.68.10",  AP can join its primary Controller whose name is CT5508 and its address 172.33.68.10

** Topology **
AP  ----   SW3750   ----   SWCat6K  ----   WLC5508

AP IP addr: 172.33.67.231
WLC5508 IP addr: 172.33.68.10

AP is in the Vlan 367 and WLC5508 is the Vlan 368

****  

As you can see the following packet capture, AP directly touches to WLC 172.33.68.10 by using Capwap discovery request, saying I want to join you. Then WLC responses AP by Capwap discovery response message, saying Yes, you can.
(Notice, comparing to discovery by broadcast, destination address is 172.33.68.10 instead of 255.255.255.255)

Also we can see the inside of Capwap discovery request,  the value == 01 and Discover type is static Configuration (1)

See you next time and Good luck!!