Cisco Class Project: Flashing an Access Point

This project was created as part of a Cisco networking class.

Cisco AP Project

đŸŽ¯ Objective

Flash and configure a Cisco Access Point (AP) as an extra hands-on activity beyond the standard class exercises.

ℹī¸ Background

In a previous session, two routers were configured with three networks to connect two computers from different subnets. This project takes it a step further by flashing a Cisco AP.

🔧 Equipment

  • Cisco Aironet Access Point (Model: AIR-CAP3702I-A-K9)
  • macOS for serial access
  • Kali Linux for TFTP server

❋ī¸ Steps

1. Console Access

Connect the AP to your computer using a USB console cable. On macOS, access it via:

screen /dev/tty.usbmodemXXXX 9600

2. Set Static IP

ip addr add 192.168.1.100/24 dev eth0
ip link set eth0 up

3. TFTP Server Setup on Kali Linux

Install the TFTP server:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install tftpd-hpa

Edit the configuration file /etc/default/tftpd-hpa:

TFTP_USERNAME="tftp"
TFTP_DIRECTORY="/var/lib/tftpboot"
TFTP_ADDRESS="0.0.0.0:69"
TFTP_OPTIONS="--secure"

Create the directory, move the image, and set permissions:

sudo mkdir -p /var/lib/tftpboot
sudo cp ap_image.tar /var/lib/tftpboot/
sudo chmod -R 777 /var/lib/tftpboot

Restart the service:

sudo systemctl restart tftpd-hpa

4. Troubleshooting with tcpdump

Check if the AP is trying to reach the TFTP server:

sudo tcpdump -i eth0 port 69

If no traffic is visible, verify:

  • Network cables
  • Static IP settings
  • Subnet matching
  • Correct TFTP path and filename

5. Flashing the AP

TFTP Server Setup

From the AP's console, execute the following commands:

set IP_ADDR 192.168.1.101
set NETMASK 255.255.255.0
set DEFAULT_ROUTER 192.168.1.1
set TFTP_SERVER 192.168.1.100
tar -xtract tftp://192.168.1.100/ap_image.tar flash:
boot

✅ Installed at home on a POE switch, directly connected to the AP.

Flashed AP

✅ Panel

AP Functional

The AP is now functional and accessible with default credentials:

  • Username: Cisco
  • Password: Cisco

Cisco Network Administration

👨‍đŸĢ With the tutoring of Professor

Steven Frich | Professor Emeritus