Cisco WLC config migration from 2504 to 3504

[neil.legada]

We are upgrading our existing WLC AIR-CT2504-K9 to the newer AIR-CT3504-K9.

I would like to know the recommended process of migrating the existing config from the old 2504 WLC to 3504.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[balaji.bandi]

Cisco have now WLC converter

https://cway.cisco.com/tools/WirelessConfigConverter/

[neil.legada]

Thanks. I will try the config converter link.

[dot1x]

Hi Balaji,

Which of the following options should we choose when migrating from 2504 to 3504?

1. AireOS to IOS-xe conversion: For folks looking to migrate from AireOS platforms 2500/5500/7500/8500/WISM2/vWLC controllers to IOS-xe/Denali platforms 3650/3850/4500 S8E/5760.

Inputs required: TFTP config backup from AireOS or "show run-config commands" output

Phase1: Only provide WLAN migration

2. IOS-xe to AireOS conversion: For folks looking to migrate from IOS-xe/Denali platforms 3650/3850/4500 S8E/5760 controllers to AireOS platforms 2500/5500/7500/8500/WISM2/vWLC.

Inputs required: "show running-config" output from IOS-xe/Denali based platforms

Phase1: Only provides WLAN migration

3. AireOS to AireOS(5520/8540/3504) conversion: For folks looking to migrate from older AireOS platforms 2500/5500/7500/8500/WISM2/vWLC controllers to newer AireOS  platforms 5520/8540.

Inputs required: TFTP config backup from AireOS or "show run-config commands" output

4. AireOS(5520/8540/3504)to AireOS conversion: For folks looking to migrate from newer AireOS platforms 5520/8540 controllers to older AireOS platforms 2500/5500/7500/8500/WISM2/vWLC.

[Rasika Nayanajith]

Here is another way of doing that.

First upgrade 2504 to the same code 3504 running (I would expect 3504 running 8.5.x image , that is the last supported code train for 2504)

Then take a back up of 2504 configs

transfer upload mode tftp
transfer upload datatype config
transfer upload filename 2504-backup.txt
transfer upload path .
transfer upload serverip <TFTP_SVR_IP>
transfer upload start

If you 3504 have basic configs (with different IP address) you can apply backup configs using CLI (if port numbering is different, you may need to slightly modify your backup config prior to apply to 3504). Else you can download those backup config to 3504 while watching what config lines throwing errors & fix them later.

See below post for some guidance

https://mrncciew.com/2013/01/25/backup-restore-wlc-configs/

HTH

Rasika

*** Pls rate all useful responses ***

[neil.legada]

Thanks Rasika for the helpful response.
A follow-up question if you don't mind ... please pardon my ignorance as I'm not that familiar with Cisco wireless yet.
You mentioned about 'apply backup configs using CLI', does this mean that the CLI commands between 2504 and 3504 are compatible? If so, I can do a line by line CLI configuration of 3504 using the 2504 backup (with some modification of course).

Appreciate your feeback again.

[Rasika Nayanajith]

Yes, they should be comparable. Specially if you are with same AireOS version on both platform.

If you using same IPs, make sure your 3504 is offline & not connected to network while doing these configs.

HTH

Rasika

*** Pls rate all useful responses ***

[neil.legada]

Thanks again!

[sysadmin5]

Hello Rasika,

Hope you are doing great, could you please me know how can i migrate the AP license from 2504 wlc to 3504 wlc.

[balaji.bandi]

Licensing re-hosting supported withing the same product families (2504/5508 or 3504/5520/8540). Therefore it is not supported moving to license from 2504 to 3504.

WLC  3504/5520/8540 use RTU licensing model, which mean there is no license files to install on these devices. You can simply activate it accepting EULA.

[vivek NAGAR]

Hello ,

You can check on below 

License bind with serial number and only be transfer with help of cisco licensing team,

More over 3504 has RTU licensing 

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/3504-wireless-controller/214106-licensing-on-3504-5520-and-8540-wireles.html

[kapydan88]

But if we want migrate from one 2504 to ha pair of 3504, what should we to do?

1) Download config from current 2504 and upload it to new 3504. 

2) Implement this config on new 3504, install license (number of supported ap).

3) Create lag/etherchannel on this new 3504 (enable lag on next reboot).

4) Do same things in the second new 3504 (upload config, install license, make lag/etherchannel).

5) Create HA pair of these two 3504 through redundancy port.

 Is it all?

[Scott Fella]

The best way is to have both on the same code and then. You can backup and restore to the 3504. Then you can. Upgrade the 3504 to whatever version and then configure your HA.

[DOUGLAS EVANS]

To confirm, I cannot transfer AP licenses from the 2504 to the 3504, so I need to order the appropriate number of licenses with the 3504?  Thanks, DJE

[kapydan88]

There is another licensing scheme in 3504 - right to use. You must choose the number of supported points yourself.