Upgrading WLC from 8.2.166.0 to 8.5.140.0

[Andrew White]

Hello,

So it looks like I can upgrade 8.2.166.0 to 8.5.140.0 in one go, however there seems to be 4 files that I can download.

https://software.cisco.com/download/home/282600534/type/280926587/release/8.5.140.0

We have 2 x 5508s and 27 APs and I upgrade about a year ago, but I'm sure I just upload a single file from my PC to the WLC via the GUI and it then upgrade the Active WLC then the Standby WLC and rebooted the APs after?

Any ideas on this process and the file(s) required?

Thanks

[marce1000]

 - Please study the release notes for the version you are upgrading too, supplementary bundles may need installing for if you have certain ap models.

 M.

[RaffyLindogan]

Hi mate,

First thing is, you can directly upgrade from your current code to 8.5.140.

You will definitely need this image.

         "Cisco Unified Wireless Network Software Release 8.5 for Cisco 5500 Series Wireless LAN Controllers.  AIR-CT5500-K9-8-5-140-0.aes"

You can run same way that you upgraded last time on your SSO controller.

There will just be a need to download and install another image

         "Supplementary AP Bundle Images for Cisco 5508 Series WLC Release 8.5."

ONLY IF: you have these type of APs (AP80x, Cisco Aironet 1530 Series AP, Cisco Aironet 1550 Series AP (with 64-MB memory), Cisco Aironet 1550 Series AP (with 128-MB memory), Cisco Aironet 1570 Series APs, and/or Cisco Aironet 1600 Series APs.)

See more details on the links below (Check on Step #3).

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/8-5/config-guide/b_cg85/managing_software.html

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/release/notes/crn85mr4.html

[Sathiyanarayanan Ravindran]

Hi Andrew,

Yes, If you have a HA SSO setup you have to load the image on the active unit, Active unit will transfer the Image to Stand by unit. Refer Upgarding a HA SSO

Since you are in 8.2.16x.x code you are good to upgrade it to 8.5.140.0 directly. But on thing you have to make sure that If you are having a below model APs in your network you have to install the Main code and supplementary image then need to take reboot the WLC.

As @marce1000 said, Go through the complete Release notes of 8.5.140.0 prior to the activity. 

• Cisco AP802
• Cisco AP803
• Cisco Aironet 1530 Series AP
• Cisco Aironet 1550 Series AP (with 128-MB memory)
• Cisco Aironet 1570 Series APs
• Cisco Aironet 1600 Series APs

[Andrew White]

Thanks, very useful too. We have 27 APs but the one on the roof is a 1530 so I will need both files then. It is a HA setup too.

So how do I load both on to the WLC and is it still one reboot?

Thanks

[Sathiyanarayanan Ravindran]

Hi Andrews, 

Download the OS Main and Supplementary from the Cisco Site using ur CCO ID and verify the MD5 and SHA value of the downloaded file 1st.

Then Load the image file of Main OS in to the Active controller, There you can see the progress clearly. Once the Main OS is done then you have to upload the Supplementary image on the same way. Then you can reboot the Active controller so that both the WLCs will boot with new OS once they are up APs will join to the WLC and download the new code.

Also One more point I forget to add, you have to check the FUS version of your WLC. If you are moving to 8.5 code, Its recommended to upgrade the FUS to 1.9 ( Refer Table 1 for FUS Version )

[Andrew White]

Thanks, I don’t think we use FUS, is there a way I can find out from the CLI or GUI?

Should the upgrade fail how would I roll back?

I want to do this all remotely but have a laptop on site connected to the WiFi and LAN and see if it connects back after the upgrade, risky?

Thanks

[Sathiyanarayanan Ravindran]

Issue the command show sysinfo and share the output.

If that laptop is connected to LAN , you can take Remote session of it. So once the upgrade is done you have to take remote session via LAN ip address then have to test the connectivity via WiFi.

Take configuration backup prior to the upgrade. Most of the cases it wont get failed. If so you will be required a serial console for further troubleshoot.

[Andrew White]

Here is the info.

Manufacturer's Name.............................. Cisco Systems Inc.
Product Name..................................... Cisco Controller
Product Version.................................. 8.2.166.0
Bootloader Version............................... 1.0.20
Field Recovery Image Version..................... 7.6.95.16
Firmware Version................................. FPGA 1.7, Env 1.8, USB console 2.2
Build Type....................................... DATA + WPS

System Name...................................... xxxxxxx
System Location..................................
System Contact...................................
System ObjectID.................................. 1.3.6.1.4.1.9.1.1069
Redundancy Mode.................................. SSO
IP Address....................................... xxxxxx
IPv6 Address..................................... ::
Last Reset....................................... Power on reset
System Up Time................................... 305 days 1 hrs 6 mins 5 secs
System Timezone Location.........................
System Stats Realtime Interval................... 5
System Stats Normal Interval..................... 180

--More-- or (q)uit
Configured Country............................... GB - United Kingdom
Operating Environment............................ Commercial (0 to 40 C)
Internal Temp Alarm Limits....................... 0 to 65 C
Internal Temperature............................. +44 C
External Temperature............................. +21 C
Fan Status....................................... OK

State of 802.11b Network......................... Enabled
State of 802.11a Network......................... Enabled
Number of WLANs.................................. 8
Number of Active Clients......................... 504

Burned-in MAC Address............................ xxxxxxxx
Power Supply 1................................... Present, OK
Power Supply 2................................... Present, OK
Maximum number of APs supported.................. 500
System Nas-Id.................................... xxxxxxxxx
WLC MIC Certificate Types........................ SHA1/SHA2

(Cisco Controller) >show boot
Primary Boot Image............................... 8.5.140.0 (default)
Backup Boot Image................................ 8.2.166.0

(Cisco Controller) >

Thanks

[Sathiyanarayanan Ravindran]

You have to upgrade the FUS image of your controllers. Currently you are not running on 1.9 Version.

Field Recovery Image Version should be  7.6.101.1 

But now you have already uploaded the 8.5.140.0 code in to the controller, So if you are upgrade FUS image then controller will boot with new image. You can't change secondary image as boot image as the HA SSO will not boot with Secondary boot code.

[Andrew White]

Thanks, I've asked Cisco about this as they were on a Webex session today uploading the 2 firmware required (main and bundle).

The didn't mention anything about the FUS and say I just need to reboot both WLC's and  they will upgrade.

[Sathiyanarayanan Ravindran]

They have recommended the FUS on release notes of 8.5 code.

[Andrew White]

Can I do this at a later date? What will happen if I reboot both this weekend without doing this as they are both set to boot up with the new firmware?

[Sathiyanarayanan Ravindran · Accepted solution]

You can do it post that as well, But it will be required 45 mins minimum for upgrade as per my experience.

Ideally there shouldn't be any issue if you upgrade the 8.5 now , without upgrading FUS.

[Andrew White]

You are right this is exactly what Cisco said on both parts. Do the main upgrade then FUS at a later date.