Hi Sam,

Good question! I'm going to start with your last question first. I think the way to go here is to do everything at the same time here. The change to the WCS in 4.2 is intended (in my opinion) as a temporary solution only, and meant for a type of "Migration Mode" type setup.

I don't think that this is a long term solution :) Have a look at these hints as to the capabilities of the WLSE as WCS;

Standalone access point monitoring-Cisco WCS supports standalone access point status and alarm monitoring. Standalone access points can be placed and viewed on Cisco WCS heat maps. Cisco Aironet standalone access points can be monitored in preparation for migrating these access points to run LWAPP and operate with a wireless LAN controller in the unified architecture.

Migration to the Cisco UWN is simplified with a built-in Cisco WCS tool that simplifies the process of converting Cisco Aironet standalone access points to lightweight access points. Up to ten Cisco Aironet standalone access points of the same model number can be upgraded simultaneously using the tool.

Release Notes for Cisco Wireless Control System 4.2.62.0 for Windows or Linux

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/wireless/wcs/release/notes/WCSRN4_2.html#wp44440

Conversion of a WLSE Autonomous Deployment to a WCS Controller Deployment

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6305/products_configuration_guide_chapter09186a00806b71db.html

Customers that have purchased the CiscoWorks WLSE are encouraged to transition to the Cisco WCS and the Cisco Unified Wireless Network. Customers can use the CiscoWorks WLSE to Cisco WCS conversion CDs (Cisco WCS SKU Family WCS-WLSE-UPG-K9) to convert an existing CiscoWorks WLSE (Model 1130-19 and 1133) to operate as a Cisco WCS server.

The CiscoWorks WLSE and CiscoWorks WLSE Express support standalone access points and standalone WLAN bridges.

Cisco WCS is a component of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network. Cisco WCS supports Cisco Aironet lightweight access points and Cisco wireless LAN controllers. With Cisco Unified Wireless Network Software Release 4.2, Cisco WCS also supports status and alarm monitoring of Cisco Aironet standalone access points and includes a built-in tool that simplifies the process to migrate these access points to operate as lightweight access points. Feature development on the Cisco WCS will continue at an accelerated rate in conjunction with the release of new features for the Cisco wireless LAN controller family.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/wireless/ps5679/ps5861/prod_white_paper0900aecd804f1a23_ns337_Networking_Solutions_White_Paper.html

Supported Cisco WLSE Management Stations

The conversion from WLSE management station to WCS management station is supported on the Cisco WLSE 1130-19 or 1133 hardware platforms.

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Note The conversion from WLSE management station to WCS management station is not supported on the Cisco WLSE 1030 Express platform.

Here are some good WLC (Wireless Lan Contoller docs);

Understanding the Lightweight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP)

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/netsol/ns340/ns394/ns348/ns337/networking_solutions_white_paper0900aecd802c18ee.shtml

Deploying Cisco 440X Series Wireless LAN Controllers

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6366/prod_technical_reference09186a00806cfa96.html

Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Configuration Guide, Release 4.0

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6366/products_configuration_guide_book09186a00806b0077.html

WLC Video

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6366/index.html

Lightweight AP (LAP) Registration to a Wireless LAN Controller (WLC)

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/tech/tk722/tk809/technologies_tech_note09186a00806c9e51.shtml

Hope this helps Sam!

Rob