After acquiring Meru Networks few years back, they also have a line of Wireless Access Points which are managed via FortiWLC controller (formerly Meru wireless controller).

With the introduction of FAP-U series access points, customers now have the option to manage these AP-s either from FortiWLC or from FortiGate. By using FortiWLC you can utilize the Single-Channel architecture from Meru. But if you want to deploy the classical multi-cell WiFi architecture, then you can do it with either the FortiWLC or with FortiGate. There are practical scenarios where it might make more sense to control the AP-s from FortiGate.

Here I describe how to change the AP management from FortiWLC to FortiGate:

• As a preparation, make sure you have configured the FortiGate interface, which has L2 direct connection to the AP, with Security Fabric Connection (checkmark on interface), and enabled WiFi Controller feature under System > Feature Visibility
• Connect to FortiWLC via SSH
• Display a list of connected AP-s:

  show ap

• Note the AP ID for the AP you want to move to FortiGate (first column on the left)
• Connect to the AP (id 37 in my example):

  connect ap 37

• Next you need to switch the AP from Meru boot image to Fortinet boot image
• Show available options regarding Boot image:

  bootimg ?

• Now switch to the Fortinet Primary boot image. The AP will reboot immediately:

  bootimg imageid 3

• Next log in to FortiGate and authorize the AP under Wifi & Switch Controller > Managed FortiAPs.
• Next create and apply the appropriate FortiAP Profiles