https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/aironet-1200-series/70278-lap-faq.html A Lightweight Access Point (LAP) is an AP that is designed to be connected to a wireless LAN (WLAN) controller (WLC). APs are "lightweight," which means that they cannot act independently of a wireless LAN controller (WLC). The WLC manages the AP configurations and firmware. The APs are "zero touch" deployed, and individual configuration of APs is not necessary.