Upgrade WLC in HA AP SSO mode

[Stefan Tautscher]

Hi all,

I have a question regarding IOS upgrade on WLCs in HA AP SSO mode.

What would be the best solution to update the IOS on the whole cluster without a downtime?

Will each WLC be updated device by device or both at the same time? So I need a downtime during the update...

Or do I have to remove the AP SSO mode on both WLCs and update both by myself?

Thanks for your answers!

BR, Stefan

[Sandeep Choudhary · Accepted solution]

HI Stefan,

It would be good If you will take a downtime for any worst case and the upload new IOS to WLCs.

You manuall have to upload IOS on bOth WLC.

here the link which is expamples for HA config

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps10315/products_tech_note09186a0080bd3504.shtml

https://supportforums.cisco.com/docs/DOC-26827

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/wireless/technology/hi_avail/N1_HA_Overview.html

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/wireless/ps6302/ps8322/ps10315/qa_c67-714540.html

Regards

Dont forget to rate helpful posts

[Stefan Tautscher]

Thank you for your answer!

Maybe I should read through the artices with open eyes --> "Upgrade Procedure in HA Setup"

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps10315/products_tech_note09186a0080bd3504.shtml#upgradesteps

THANKS!

[Sandeep Choudhary]

Also check this doc:

Which controller models also provide the -HA SKU, and which support the stateful switchover (SSO) functionality:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/wireless/ps6302/ps8322/ps10315/qa_c67-714540_ps2706_Products_Q_and_A_Item.html

• When AP SSO is enabled, there is no SNMP/GUI access on the service port for both the WLCs in the HA setup.

Regards

[Leo Laohoo]

What would be the best solution to update the IOS on the whole cluster without a downtime?

Not possible.  Here's the logic:

Let's say you are able to successfully push the firmware to the two units.  If you reload only one of them, the one being reloaded will NOT be able to join the HA SSO pairing because of firmware incompatibility.  \

I just finished an upgrade of three pairs of WiSM-2 HA AP SSO.  What I've done is push the firmware across, force the APs to pre-download the firmware and then reboot the pair of WiSMs.  The reboot is scheduled for 4 am.

Another alteration is this:

Let's say you have TWO pairs of WiSM-2 and both pairs are in AP SSO.

So you push the firmware to the two pairs.  Next, you force the AP in one pair to go to the second pair.  Reboot the first pair.  For APs in the second pair, trigger the AP pre-download.  Once the first pair of WLC come back online, move all the APs in the second pair to go to the first WLC.  Once the APs have rebooted and joined the first WLC, reboot the second pair of WLC.

[Stefan Tautscher]

Sounds logically

The only problem is that I only have one pair of Cisco WLC 5508, so I am not able to move the access points to another WLC pair...

However I will try to communicate this solution to the operation team.

THANKS for your answer!!!