topic Re: Upgrade vWLC Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL in Wireless

Upgrade vWLC Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL

Electronic20 — Sun, 03 Sep 2023 23:13:57 GMT

Hello, you want to update the IOS of a virtual wireless controller (virtualized device), I show a screenshot of the equipment:

You have version 17.6.4 and want to update to version 17.9.3 device vWLC Catalyst 9800-CL.

Where can I get the IOS?

What would be the correct upgrade procedure? I mention it because it is a vWLC virtualized device.

What options should I enable? Since in the screenshot shown, you can see several such as: "AP Image Predownload", "Enable Hitless Upgrade", among others.

Re: Upgrade vWLC Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL

Mark Elsen — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 07:21:09 GMT

>....Where can I get the IOS?
https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286322605/type/282046477/release/Cupertino-17.9.3

>...What would be the correct upgrade procedure?
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/17-9/config-guide/b_wl_17_9_cg/m_upgrade_9800cl.html

>...AP image predownload
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/config-guide/b_wl_16_10_cg/predownloading-an-image-to-an-access-point.html#concept_AEB6C136644646DE8596792DF4F2E235

>...Hitless upgrade
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/17-11/config-guide/b_wl_17_eleven_cg/m_hitless_upgrade.html#id_82660

Re: Upgrade vWLC Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL

balaji.bandi — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 08:53:03 GMT

First you need to check the Comptability matrix - what AP you using and release notes (once you upgrade to latest code some of the AP may not work - check the below release notes)

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/interfaces-modules/interface-cards/71820-routermodules.html

There are different people do different approach - You complte downtime for this Upgrade, you can use any Option you like.(since the AP need to reboot and client will disconnect)

is the vWLC in HA ? or single ?

I have done recently some Upgrades to Physical one in HA - all upgrades good and (all AP are Cat 9K)

Re: Upgrade vWLC Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL

Rich R — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 13:15:34 GMT

@balaji.bandi you provided a link to that very old router modules doc! Are you sure that's what you intended?
The Compatibility Matrix link is in my signature below. You should also read the release notes carefully:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/17-9/release-notes/rn-17-9-9800.html
I'd personally recommend upgrading to 17.9.4 - it's been out for just over a month now and I'm not aware of any serious issues reported.
https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286322605/type/282046477/release/Cupertino-17.9.4

If you use 17.9.3 then you need to install a number of SMUs and AP Service Packs as per the TAC recommended link below.
https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286322605/type/286308587/release/17.9.3
https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286322605/type/286325254/release/17.9.3

Note that for the upgrade you only need to use the .bin image file not the OVA or ISO.

Re: Upgrade vWLC Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL

Electronic20 — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 14:31:11 GMT

Hi @balaji.bandi , el vWLC (virtualized) is single of de type Catalyst 9800-CL, The APs are Catalyst 9115AXI.

The Cisco TAC recommended the version 17.9.3, The Cisco TAC recommended the version, since it has disconnections per second and randomly at the Wi-Fi level when using the micorsoft team.

But, looking at the information I see the following:

Is 17.9.3 APSP1 a different software than 17.9.3? since I do not locate the IOS or firmware 17.9.3 APSP1

Re: Upgrade vWLC Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL

Rich R — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 15:11:36 GMT

@Electronic20 I already answered your question in my previous reply - please read that fully?

17.9.3 has some critical bugs, so if you use that then you need to install the SMU (patch) and APSP after installing 17.9.3 - that provides bug fixes for those issues.

That's why I recommended using 17.9.4 because it already has those bug fixes included. There may be SMUs and APSP for 17.9.4 later but for now it saves you from having to do multiple installs and updates.

Re: Upgrade vWLC Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL

Electronic20 — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 17:34:33 GMT

Hi @Rich R , Thanks for the clarification, I have a question, what does AP COS mean? And what AP models are related to the AP COS?

Re: Upgrade vWLC Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL

Rich R — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 21:50:07 GMT

AP COS (ClickOS) is the operating system all the current Cisco AP models run on.

The older APs (up to 3700) were based on Cisco IOS.

Re: Upgrade vWLC Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL

Electronic20 — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 01:52:04 GMT

Hi @Rich R , For the upgrade, it is recommended to enable these options:

If you install an APSP, which "AP Upgrade per Iteration" option is recommended?

Re: Upgrade vWLC Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL

balaji.bandi — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 11:40:50 GMT

@Rich R - apologies - may be wrong one i guess here - will validate again.