Trivial File transfer Protocol (TFTP)

Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) is a simple, lock-step, File Transfer Protocol which allows a Client (computing) to get from or put a file onto a remote Host (network). One of its primary uses is in the early stages of nodes booting from a Local Area Network. TFTP has been used for this application because it is very simple to implement. TFTP lacks security and most of the advanced features offered by more robust file transfer protocols such as File Transfer Protocol. TFTP uses UDP port 69.

The WCS includes a TFTP to store images for controller upgrades, backups of controller configuration files. An external TFTP server can also be used.

If you want to convert an AP from lightweight to standalone, you can do so via the command-
line interface (CLI) or by resetting the AP to factory defaults. If you do it from the
CLI, you use the following command:

archive download-sw /overwrite /force-reload { tftp:|ftp:}//location/
image-name

If you are resetting to factory defaults, use the mode button by holding it down until the
LED turns red. This causes the AP to reboot, ignoring its lightweight code, apply an IP address
of 10.0.0.1, and broadcast for an IOS file. This means you need a TFTP server on that
subnet and a default file on there with the naming convention cplatform_name-k9w7-
tar.default.