Upgrading Cisco Catalyst 9300 and 9500 With Embedded WLC

[nicholas-vang]

Hello,

We are planning to upgrade the software IOS XE on our 9300 and 9500 switches in DNA Center (Catalyst Center). Some of them have embedded WLC that manages APs. 

Does upgrading the switch version also upgrade the wlc version? Is there a separate upgrade required for the eWLC? Please let us know how the process works, thanks!

[Flavio Miranda]

@nicholas-vang 

 Upgrade is done separately. Switch and eWLC must have the same version. Now here is the problem. Cisco does not support eWLC anymore. If you upgrade the switch, chances are you can not upgrade the eWLC. 

"As part of mode consolidation Embedded Wireless on Catalyst 9000 Series Switch (non-SDA) using WebUI will be End of Support (Q3FY21) with no additional feature development or code changes and 17.3.x is the last supported release."

Products - Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst Switches (Non-SD-Access) Deployment Guide - Cisco

[nicholas-vang]

Hi Flavio, 

The switches that host these eWLC are managed by our DNA Center. Does this count as non-SDA, like what the article is stating?

[Flavio Miranda]

@nicholas-vang 

 They are managed by DNAC but they are fabric?  If they are Fabric as well as the WLC, which makes them FiaB (Fabric in a Box) then the limitation above does not apply.