tar: This is a compressed archive file (Tape Archive). It contains the IOS .bin file and other system files required for the web interface.Here's a bonus feature to automatically serve the downloaded file via TFTP:
# tftp_server.py - Optional TFTP server for easy deployment from py3tftp import TFTP
def start_tftp_server(directory: str = "./downloads", port: int = 69): """Start a simple TFTP server to serve firmware""" tftp = TFTP(directory) print(f"Serving directory via TFTP on port port") tftp.run(port)
At the ap: prompt, type the following commands to load the image from your computer:
The AP will now download the file from your computer, decompress it, and boot into the IOS. Ap3g2-k9w7-tar.153-3.jd.tar- Download
| AP Series | Models | Supported | |-----------|--------|------------| | 1600 | 1602i, 1602e | ✅ Yes | | 2600 | 2602i, 2602e | ✅ Yes | | 3600 | 3602i, 3602e | ✅ Yes | | 1700 | 1702i, 1702p | ✅ Yes (first AC support) | | 2700 | 2702i, 2702e | ✅ Yes | | 3700 | 3702i, 3702e | ❌ No (uses AP3G3/AP3G4 firmware) | | 1800 | 1830/1850 | ❌ No (uses 8.x/17.x) |
If your AP is running autonomous mode (no controller) or Mobility Express, this image is relevant. For lightweight mode (controlled by WLC), you need a different image type (e.g., ap3g2-k9w8). tar : This is a compressed archive file (Tape Archive)
Before downloading any firmware, you must understand what this file actually does. The filename itself is a treasure trove of information:
| Part | Meaning | |------|---------| | ap3g2 | Platform identifier – Cisco AP3G2 hardware (used in 1600, 2600, 3600 series) | | k9w7 | Feature set – k9 = encryption (SSL/SSH), w7 = autonomous AP image (not lightweight) | | tar | File format – Tape archive; this is a bundle containing multiple files (OS, web UI, etc.) | | 153-3.jd | IOS version – 15.3(3)JD, a stable release for these APs | Here's a bonus feature to automatically serve the
Crucially, k9w7 designates an autonomous access point image. If your AP is currently running in lightweight mode (requiring a wireless LAN controller), this file is exactly what you need to convert it into a standalone unit. Conversely, if you need a lightweight image (k9w8), keep looking – this isn’t that file.
Warning: Never download Cisco firmware from third-party file hosting sites, torrents, or unverified blogs. These files can contain malware, backdoors, or corrupt images that will permanently damage your AP’s flash memory.