topic Re: Compatibility between WP2 and 6 GHz radio in Wireless

Compatibility between WP2 and 6 GHz radio

Haiver Bermon — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 15:11:01 GMT

Hello,

I have a WLC 9800 with more that 100 AP 9120 and I have a corporative SSID with WPA2 working in 5 Ghz radio in that WLC. Recently I receibed new AP CW9166, that AP support new standar WIFI6E that operates in 6 Ghz radio.

When I tried to enable radio 6 Ghz in corporative SSID configuration, the WLC shows a error that indicates that I have to disable WPA2, I have searching but I dont find if WPA2 is incompatibility with WIFI6E/radio 6Ghz or if there a way to configurte WPA2 in radio 6 Ghz

Could somebody help me to clarify that issue?

I want to enable radio 6 Ghz radio to corporative SSID maintaing the radio 5 Ghz enable and the same name of corporative SSID

Re: Compatibility between WP2 and 6 GHz radio

Flavio Miranda — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 15:19:27 GMT

Hi @Haiver Bermon

This is not from Cisco but for all vendors. Actually Wi-Fi Alliance is responsible for this.

"Wi-Fi 6E benefits organizations that want or need highly secure networks. The Wi-Fi Alliance has made Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3) mandatory for all Wi-Fi 6E devices, without backward compatibility for WPA2 security. These measures can increase user confidence in moving to the 6-GHz frequency band for their most trusted connections."

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/wireless/what-is-wifi-6-vs-wifi-6e.html#~benefits

Re: Compatibility between WP2 and 6 GHz radio

Leo Laohoo — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 00:37:18 GMT

In addition to @Flavio Miranda comment, check the Release Notes.

Just because the option to enable 802.11ax (aka WiFi 6) does not necessarily translate that the AP will start transmitting/operating 802.11ax. There is a list of WLC firmware versions where the AP can start operating 802.11ax. For example, my controllers need to be on 16.12.X before my APs will start operating 802.11ax in Australia.

Re: Compatibility between WP2 and 6 GHz radio

Rich R — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 12:54:12 GMT

And 6E is not supported in all regulatory domains/countries yet so pay close attention to release notes, config guides and the compliance tool: https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/assets/prod/wireless/wireless-compliance-tool/index.html

You might also want to look at https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9100ax-access-points/wpa3-dep-guide-og.html regarding WPA2/3 transition options.

Make sure your 9800 code version is up to date per TAC recommended link below.

Re: Compatibility between WP2 and 6 GHz radio

Rasika Nayanajith — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 21:12:23 GMT

" I have to disable WPA2, I have searching but I dont find if WPA2 is incompatibility with WIFI6E/radio 6Ghz or if there a way to configurte WPA2 in radio 6 Ghz"

In 6GHz (Wi-Fi 6E) you can only configure following security methods
- WPA3 (Personal or Enterprise)
- Enhanced Open or OWE

In 6GHz, you cannot configure following.

- WPA2 (personal/enterprise)
- WPA/TKIP
- Open

Also you cannot configure WLAN with mixed mode (WPA2 + WPA3 on same SSID) security in 6GHz

HTH
Rasika
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