topic Re: WLC Config Converter in Wireless

WLC Config Converter

CCC3 — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 09:50:16 GMT

We are planning to migrate from 5508 to 9800.

So I'm trying to use the converter provided by cisco, has anyone tried it?

I wonder if it's converted properly.

Re: WLC Config Converter

Mark Elsen — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 10:00:21 GMT

- @CCC3 To answer your last question : always validate a (new) configuration of/ on the 9800 controller
using the CLI command show tech wireless and feed the output from that into Wireless Config Analyzer

Personally I prefer configuring the controller from scratch ; checkout
https://www.ciscolive.com/c/dam/r/ciscolive/global-event/docs/2024/pdf/BRKEWN-2094.pdf
(e.g.!!)

Re: WLC Config Converter

Leo Laohoo — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 10:45:54 GMT

Do not take the risk: Manually configure the 9800 from scratch.

Re: WLC Config Converter

balaji.bandi — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 11:29:21 GMT

Personally i would not use any converter, since there lot of things changed here.

if you are new to Cat 9800, its time to learn new things and changes are learned by configuring manually and testing.

read the deployment guide :

https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/17-4/deployment-guide/c9800-webui-dg.pdf

old post reference :

https://community.cisco.com/t5/wireless/migrating-cisco-ap-s-from-airos-to-ios-xe-wireless-controllers/td-p/4777818

Good Live presentation :

https://www.ciscolive.com/c/dam/r/ciscolive/global-event/docs/2023/pdf/BRKEWN-2338.pdf

Re: WLC Config Converter

wajidhassan — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 16:37:13 GMT

Hi @CCC3 ,

Yes, the Cisco WLC Config Converter tool is designed to help migrate configurations from the 5508 to the 9800 series controllers. Many have used it successfully, but it’s important to review the converted config carefully before applying it.

The tool does a good job of converting most settings, but some features and commands behave differently on the 9800 platform, so manual adjustments might be needed post-conversion.

I recommend testing the converted config in a lab environment first to ensure everything works as expected before deploying in production.

Hope this helps!

Re: WLC Config Converter

Rich R — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 06:39:41 GMT

@CCC3
@wajidhassan's reply looks like partly AI chatbot copy/paste and may be a bit misleading because the converted config will invariably be incomplete due to some features and config not being supported by the converter.
You can use it to get an idea of what a new config could look like, but as the others have said it is always best to build a completely new config yourself once you understand the new config model. The comments in the converted output will highlight config which cannot be converted (due to encryption or new config model which is substantially different) and features which are not supported.

There are lots of blogs, tech guides, Cisco Live presentations and videos explaining the new config model and getting started on 9800. Best to follow some of those links provided and search for more as needed. Also pay close attention to the TAC Recommended code versions (link below) and Best Practices guide (link below) and as @Mark Elsen has pointed out use the Config Analyzer (link below) to check your config for common errors and deviations from Best Practice. The converter was written for earlier versions of 9800 IOS-XE so may be missing features which have been added and enhanced since then.