Cisco Controller backward compatiblity

[Burtons2013]

We currently have a Cisco 4400 series wireless controller with a mixture of AIR-LAP1242AG-E-K9, 1142N-E-K9, 1131AG-E-K9 access points connected to it.

We are looking at migrating over to a new wireless controller (Cisco CT5508) and initially replacing some of the access points with AIR-CAP1703I-E-K9.

I have been told that the CT 5508 is backward compatiblie with older access points like the one we have but I wanted to see if anyone knows if the CT5508 is backward compatible or has had any expercience of moving to a CT 5508 when using older access points like the ones we have.

Thanks

Dave

[d.friday]

Dave,

The 5508 will work with the older APs

1131 and 1240  APs are only supported up to 8.0.140.0

1242 are still support as of 8.3.112.0

Here is a link

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/compatibility/matrix/compatibility-matrix.html

[Burtons2013]

Hi d.Friday,

Thanks for the information it really help and means we don't have to replace all the AP's in one go which would be a nightmare.

Thanks

Dave

[sandjose_cisco]

on a related note  5508 controller would be going EOS/EOL life soon  but then the alternative controllers 5520 doesn't support 8.0 code base .

It is like a chicken and egg problem where you don't want to go beyond 8.0  but the latest platform don't support the 8.0 code base.

[Mady Gueye]

Hello all,

How many ap in flexconnect mode can support cisco controller 5520 ?

Thanks.

[sandjose_cisco]

100  AP in a flexconnect group

[mbaghoomian]

Hi Dave,

 My name is Mike. I had a couple of questions to ask you. I'm hoping you can help me out. I have two wireless controllers there going into customer's houses. They like Cisco products and very into the gaming for there homes. I'm hoping you can suggest the best firmware I should be for this environment.

1) Cisco wireless controller 5508 with 3702i and 1131ag

2) Cisco wireless controller 5508 with 3702I only.  

I really appropriate your help. 

Thanks

Mike 

[d.friday]

Mike,

The 1131 AP are pretty old unit  if you need to use the 1131 and the 3700 APs on the same controller you will have to stick with the 8.0.152.0 code.  That's the last version of code that supports the 1131 APs on the 5508 Controllers.

The 5508 controller and the 3700 APs  are still supported int 8.5 code version so I would use the latest version of code 8.5.164.0.  Please note the 3700s can take forever to join using the new version of code.  I know they need to download code twice before they will join the controller. Just make sure you give them a little extra time  to update and join the controller and you should be good.

[mbaghoomian]

Dave,

   The Cisco 5508 code 8.0.152.0 do you know if there any issues with the roaming on Android and Apple phones. 

Thanks

 Mike

[d.friday]

I would not doubt their are issues with newer devices  roaming on the older version of code 8.0 code.  I'm running the 8.5 code and I don't experience or know of any roaming issues with Apple or Android devices.

[Chandana Abeysinghe]

You can use 5508 with the code version 8.0.140.0 or below. You cannot go for 8.2 or 8.3 because 8.0.140.0 is the highest code version that supports 1240 and 1130 AP models. 1140 model is supported by even with the latest versions.

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/release/notes/crn80mr4.html#pgfId-1142589

[Burtons2013]

Hi Chandana,

Thanks for the reply and information. I'll have to make sure we don't go above verison 8.0.140.0 until we finish replacing all the AP's.

[Burtons2013]

Hi thanks bothof you for your replies but how wold the trasnferring of AP from the the old controller to the n ew one work?

Thanks

Dave