topic Re: Wireless controller 5508 - Update 8.5.182.7 in Wireless

Wireless controller 5508 - Update 8.5.182.7

IXL-ICT — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 13:42:32 GMT

Dear all,

We have two wireless controller 5508 (HA) and we bought APs 1702i (refurbished).

Unfortunately , we have the issue with the certificate who is expired.

Is saw this on software download ( https://software.cisco.com/download/home/282600534/type/280926587/release/8.5.182.0 )
"Cisco is aware of an issue affecting image validation at software upgrades or downgrades in Cisco Wave 1/IOS Access Points. Either upgrade to 8.5.182.7 with the fix, or use a workaround. See https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/aironet-700-series-access-points/218447-ios-ap-image-download-fails-due-to-expir.html ."

Because I will have more APs later and I don't want change time everytime, I would like upgrade to 8.5.182.7 but we don't have service contract.

https://software.cisco.com/download/specialrelease/8f166c6d88b9f77aabb63f78affa9749

Because it's a bug and they did a "Special release", Is there a way to obtain the update for free ?

Thanks for your help
Kind regards
Vincent

Re: Wireless controller 5508 - Update 8.5.182.7

Mark Elsen — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 14:54:21 GMT

>...Because it's a bug and they did a "Special release", Is there a way to obtain the update for free ?
- Sometimes if you claim and or argument security issues ; they will give it for free ,

Re: Wireless controller 5508 - Update 8.5.182.7

Mark Elsen — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 15:00:11 GMT

- Note that recently there is also : https://software.cisco.com/download/specialrelease/2702eede2b47a5c3bb40795bbe836af6

Re: Wireless controller 5508 - Update 8.5.182.7

Rich R — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 15:36:57 GMT

As Marce has pointed out - if you upgrade you should be upgrading to 8.5.182.11, not 8.5.182.7. Link in Marce's reply and in my signature below.

You could try the security advisory approach but they might refuse because 5508 is beyond the End of Vulnerability/Security Support date and 8.5 is officially "end of life"
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/5500-series-wireless-controllers/eos-eol-notice-c51-740221.html
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/8500-series-wireless-controllers/bulletin-c25-744139.html

Read https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/csa/cisco-sa-20191106-wlc-dos.html and note the section "Customers Without Service Contracts".
Then send an email to TAC quoting this advisory URL, quoting that section, quoting the URL of the software you need to download (and which specific files there you need) and the serial number of your WLC. If they accept the request then they will publish the software directly to you.

Re: Wireless controller 5508 - Update 8.5.182.7

IXL-ICT — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 07:12:40 GMT

Dear marce1000 and Rich R,

Thanks a lot for you quick reply.

I installed the version 8.5.182.11 who is accessible for free and it works.

I addition, I had to use the following command config ap cert-expiry-ignore mic enable (wlc) because the AP was unable to join the WLC (capwap tunnel).

Kind regards
Vincent

Re: Wireless controller 5508 - Update 8.5.182.7

Rich R — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 09:20:25 GMT

Yes I have all those field notices linked in my signature below <smile>
That problem is not new and would have affected your AP the next time it rebooted regardless of the version.

Re: Wireless controller 5508 - Update 8.5.182.7

YetinayetBitew87488 — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 18:13:38 GMT

Hi @Mark Elsen ,

It seems the 'special release' for 5508 WLC is no longer available on the link you shared. I'm facing exactly same issues as the original requestor of this thread.

Will you guys please help if we can get version 8.5 for 5508 WLC? Thanks.

Re: Wireless controller 5508 - Update 8.5.182.7

Mark Elsen — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 18:33:31 GMT

- @YetinayetBitew87488 Unfortunately that is correct , because Cisco has recently remove all software support and downloads for the 5508 because it is End of Support. I can't help you with that. You will have to move on to another controller platform.
You can for instance use the 9800-CL (virtual controller) as an entry point with up to 50 APs without direct complaints about licenses.

Re: Wireless controller 5508 - Update 8.5.182.7

Rich R — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 11:24:01 GMT

> Will you guys please help if we can get version 8.5 for 5508 WLC?
No. Cisco software is licensed so cannot be shared.
You can try searching for it and you might get lucky.

Re: Wireless controller 5508 - Update 8.5.182.7

YetinayetBitew87488 — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:17:26 GMT

@Mark Elsen ,

Thanks for your response.

Are there no any ways i can get the image besides the official Cisco Website? Like Cisco distributors and partners?

Re: Wireless controller 5508 - Update 8.5.182.7

Rich R — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:30:57 GMT

@YetinayetBitew87488 I already answered you.
If you know any distributors or partners you can ask them but when Cisco have deleted it, it's unlikely any of them will be able to help you. The product is past end of life.