New CW9164i in Catalyst mode?

[simonsabato]

I am new to Meraki.   purchased 3 x 9164i from CDW w/ 3-year Meraki licenses.   Created account, etc.  Added the device into the dashboard, where it's now showing as "never connected".  AP is flashing green/orange.  

The access point was on a new network, with VLANs (internal vs guest) and for a while I thought my issues were there.  Eventually I convinced myself network was OKAY, connected a console cable at 115200, and see lots of messages related to CAPWAP. 

I saw on forums ways to go into 9800 controller and switch to Meraki mode.  But I don't have such a controller.  I read that it should be in Meraki mode based on how it was ordered... did CDW ship me the wrong device?  

Unplugging/plugging PoE, I see this:

.. 
U-Boot 2018.01-RELEASE-gc2c29d24b7 (May 05 2023 - 09:28:10 -0700)
In: serial@78B3000
Out: serial@78B3000
Err: serial@78B3000
Device Tree: QCA, IPQ807x-CM66
machid: 8010001
Net: No ethernet found.
Autoboot in 5 seconds

Catalyst Mode Selected
...
[*02/28/2025 04:41:22.6505] Active version: 17.12.3.31
...
[*02/28/2025 04:41:53.7453] ethernet_port wired0, ip 192.168.100.52, netmask 255.255.252.0, gw 192.168.100.1, mtu 1500, bcast 192.168.103.255, dns1 8.8.8.8, dns2 8.8.4.4, vid 0, static_ip_failover false, dhcp_vlan_failover false
...
[*02/28/2025 04:42:07.9906] CAPWAP State: Init

[rhbirkelund]

Have a look at the packinglist. 
If it says CW9164I-M it’s the Meraki SKU, and thus it’ll be in Meraki Mode.

if not, it is in Catalyst mode.

You should also be able to see it on the label, on the backside of the AP.

Based on your CLI output, I’d assume it’s in Catalyst mode.

[simonsabato]

On the back it says CW9164I-B, and it's called a "Catalyst Wireless 9164I Series WiFi 6E Access Point".   

Does this mean the APs need to be returned?  Or is there a way to swap them over?  I've seen the directions for swapping them over from a wireless access control (ie migrating to Meraki) but I don't have that wireless controller.  

I *am* willing to install a firmware image, i.e. CLI stuff.  No issues there.  Just need pointers to the process. 

[rhbirkelund]

If it says -B on the back it’s in Catalyst mode.

You can migrates it to Meraki mode, but you’ll need to have Meraki Support to initiate the migration. So you’ll need to log a case with Support.

[alemabrahao]

The CW line is what they call dual persona. You can choose to use either the Catalyst or Meraki firmware. However, this is decided at the time of purchase. In your case, I believe you made the purchase with the Catalyst firmware, in which case as mentioned you need to open a support case so they can change the operating mode to

[alemabrahao]

https://www.wifireference.com/2022/06/14/cisco-catalyst-cw916x-access-points-the-choice-is-yours/

[GreenMan]

With CW916x in DNA mode you require a WLC, from which to initiate the migration to Meraki/cloud mode.   Assuming you don't have one / can't easily spin up a 9800-CL (virtual WLC), I suspect that initiating an RMA and procuring the correct (-M) SKU would be the best approach here.   Particularly if you ordered the right SKU and someone down the line switched it, for some reason.

BTW:  this becomes so much easier with WiFi 7 APs...   While there's no 9174 (yet) maybe consider going up to 9176 (or possibly down to the brand new 9172) as that would give you some more functionality and greater longevity too.

[TyShawn]

Orrrr.. 🙂 Cisco/Meraki could copy what was done in the 917x to the 916x and call it good :D. 

Please and thank you.

[GreenMan]

As a general point, I'm entirely with you!    Unfortunately, if the WiFi7 ease-of portability ever becomes available to CW 6E APs, I'm not sure how that would help these particular 'adrift' CW9164s...

Given that from hereon I'd expect (recommend) the vast majority of new purchases to be WiFi 7 models anyway, it'd be a bit of stable-door bolting too, if you catch my drift.   I'm thinking there might be, from an engineering perspective, a bit more to it than <ctrl-c>, <ctrl-v> too  😉