Upgrade of 2504 WLC Software Advice / Steps

[Jay_F]

Hi,

We have various WLC's. The majority of our infrastructure is using 2504 WLC's with software version 8.0.133.0. The latest software version for this particular WLC is 8.5.120.0. This is quite a big step up to upgrade from. I was wondering are there any preferred upgrade routes or things you should look out for when upgrading the WLC's by so many increments ? is it possible to directly upgrade or should you take increment by increment ?- I had heard that upgrading to this version would mean that we would have to move to smart licensing? is that also true. What about AP compatibility with this version?. We are using AP Model 2702i. Will there be any depreciated functionality by upgrading to version 8.5.120.0. We also have a high availability setup, will the latest upgrade be copied over to the HA controller ok?

Thanks in advance for reading and any advise / thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

[Sandeep Choudhary · Accepted solution]

You cant upgrade directly from 8.0.133.0 to 8.5.120.0

step1 : First upgrdae to 8.3.133.0

step2: then upgrade to 8.5.120.0

Check more info /guideline/limitation here: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/release/notes/crn85mr2.html#upgrade-software_85mr2

2702 Ap supporte dthe newest version (8.5.120.0) so dont worry about comptibility:

here is the comptibility Matrix:

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

INfo: Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controllers Release 8.5 Software. In order to use 8.4 or higher code, you must upgrade the 2504 Wireless Lan Controllers to FUS version 1.9 or higher, this must be done before installing the new AireOS version.

Regards

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[Jay_F]

Thanks for the reply. We also have a 5508 controller running software version 8.0.133.0. Would it be the same procedure to follow i.e upgrade to 8.3.133.0 then upgrade FUS to 2.0 and then upgrade to 8.5.120.0 ? We have HA so assume upgrading the primary will it then upgrade the HA controller?

[Sandeep Choudhary]

Procedure are same for all controller 8.0 > 8.3 > 8.5.

My recommndation is to first FUS and then upgrade the WLC software.

here is the post regarding SW upgrade in HA :

https://www.booches.nl/2017/02/cisco-wlc-ha-sso-upgrade/

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/technotes/7-5/High_Availability_DG.html#pgfId-83293

Regards

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[Jay_F]

Hi Thanks for the information. Would you know if we upgraded to this version, would have to move to smart licensing ?

[d.friday]

Smart licensing is not required on the 2504 controllers

[Jay_F]

Thanks for that. Do you also know if we upgrade the 5508 controllers whether we would have to move to smart licensing ? We also intend installing a 3504 controller to act as an anchor controller, would this move to smart licensing ?

[Sandeep Choudhary]

As per my exp......5508 doesnt support smart licensing as well.

regarding 3504: Since it is an anchor controller you will not connect AP's directly to it, so you won't use any license on the anchor.

Regards

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[Jay_F]

Sorry one more question. We also have a 5520 controller running software version 8.1.131.0. Should I first upgrade the FUS to 2.0 then upgrade the software to 8.3.133 same as the others?

[Sandeep Choudhary]

Its same for all WLCs.

Regards

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[Jay_F]

Thanks. I have downloaded FUS for WLC's 2504 & 5508 but notice its not available for WLC's 3504 & 5520 is there is a reason for this?

[Sandeep Choudhary]

dont know. You must ask to cisco TAC.

[Jay_F]

ok thankyou everyone for your help much appreciated.

[Sandeep Choudhary]

Glad it helped.

Regards

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[Jay_F]

 I noticed when I was download 8.3.133.0 the following:

Releases 8.3.133.0 is affected by the defect: CSCvf76274, which may cause APs to stop joining the controller after some time, necessitating a controller reload. Customers are advised to use 8.3MR3esc (TAC), 8.3MR4 Interim, or 8.5 (8.5.110.0 or above.) This bug will be fixed in a future CCO release of 8.3.

There is an 8.3.141 could we upgrade to that version in first instance?