I understand I need a software controller.
To be more specific: you need a software controller to initially configure the access point. In most cases, the controller software
does not need to be running constantly--you can run it on your local PC if you like to set up the AP, and then shut it down and not start it again unless/until you need to make changes (add another AP, upgrade firmware on the AP, change network name/password, etc.). But yes, it runs well in a jail. If you use that resource, use the update for "the easy way".