MSM TFTP Mode

In this post I will explain the MSM TFTP mode. This mode is used to upload a startup image to a MSM AP to get them working again or to convert them back from Unified Code without the help of a MSM controller. The startup images are not available publicly. You should open a case with HP support to get those files. The files are specific for every AP.

Official documentation can be found here:

HP Multi Service Mobility Access Point Products – Updating Software on an MSM Access Point or MSM710 Using TFTP

HP MSM Access Point – Web Login Failure

Bring the AP into the MSM TFTP Mode

The MSM TFTP mode can be accessed by using the reset button on the AP. You have to press this button for 10 seconds. The LED’s on the AP will flash slowly and afterwards quickly. This will indicate, that the AP is in the MSM TFTP mode. The AP will set a default IP address for the LAN interface. This default IP address is 192.168.1.1/24. Either you connect the AP directly to your laptop/computer or you use a switch, but make sure, that you assign an IP to the Laptop/Computer within the 192.168.1.0/24 network. Use the ping command, to very that the AP is reachable at the default IP.

 Upload the Startup File to the AP

You can use whatever OS you have, but I will explain the steps using windows. Make sure you install the TFTP client on your windows machine or use an external tool like tftpd32. To enable the windows tftp client open the “Control Panel” and navigate to “Programs” and select “Turn Windows feature on or off”. Scroll down to the “TFTP Client” and check the check mark:

Afterwards click “OK” to install the “TFTP Client”. If the installation is finished, you can open the windows command prompt and navigate to the folder with the startup file(s) and enter this command:

tftp -i 192.168.1.1 put xxx.cim.startup

xxx is the MSM AP model. After the transfer is finished (10-20sec), the AP will exit the MSM TFTP mode and reboot. While rebooting, the AP will install the image. Afterwards the AP boots up into the normal MSM image and should be accessible via the normal web interface. You can now install the full AP image to run the AP in autonomous mode.

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