when distributing software using DNA you can split this in two steps
- actual distribution
- activation
if you did not distribute the software using DNA but transferred the image manually
DNA wil detect the image is al ready present on the device after the device has synchronized in the inventory
(inventory also inventories files on flash) if you start a software distribution now,
DNA will report the image al ready present, skip the distribution step and proceed with the next phase (activation)
I have not actually done this, but I expect this will also occur for distribution of the WLC image
so my answer will be YES , if you preload the WLC image, DNA will detect this and skip the distribution step
by the way,
- DNA performs multiple pre-upgrade and post-upgrade checks
these also take a long time in this process, -> you can decide NOT to perform this checks
- check the chosen file-transfer protocol (allowed by firewalls/ACL's in your network
https is the preferred (and fastest), scp is slower
