CLI Upgrade Procedure - Wireless LAN Controller

TCC_2 · ‎06-22-2009

Introduction

Upgrade procedure for the Wireless LAN Controller software through the CLI

Resolution

CLI Upgrade Procedure - Step-by-Step Instructions

Complete these steps:

Make sure that the TFTP server is reachable from the controller, and make sure the upgrade file resides in the Root directory of the TFTP server.Refer to the Wireless Software Center (registered customers only) in order to download the latest software images. Copy the files to the default directory on the TFTP server.

It is best to complete this procedure via the console port, but you can also SSH or Telnet (if enabled) to the controller's management IP address in order to complete the procedure. The use of SSH or Telnet results in the loss of connectivity with the controller during the reboot process following the image download. Therefore, console access should be available in order to expedite troubleshooting and recovery of the controller if the upgrade fails. Login to the controller and issue the show sysinfo command in order to verify the current software that runs on the controller.

This is sample output of the show sysinfo command, which shows that the controller runs 4.0.217.0:

(Cisco Controller) >show sysinfo
Manufacturer's Name.............................. Cisco Systems Inc.
Product Name..................................... Cisco Controller
Product Version.................................. 5.0.148.0
RTOS Version..................................... 5.0.148.0
Bootloader Version............................... 4.2.99.0
Build Type....................................... DATA + WPS
System Name...................................... Cisco_48:53:c3
System Location..................................
System Contact...................................
System ObjectID.................................. 1.3.6.1.4.1.14179.1.1.4.3
IP Address....................................... 10.77.244.204
System Up Time................................... 0 days 0 hrs 1 mins 58 sec
System Timezone Location.........................
Current Boot License Level.......................
Next Boot License Level..........................
Configured Country............................... IN  - India
Operating Environment............................ Commercial (0 to 40C)
Internal Temp Alarm Limits....................... 0 to 65 C

Complete these steps in order to define the download parameters:
1. Issue the transfer download mode tftp command in order to define the mode of file transfer.
2. Issue the transfer download serverip TFTP_server_IP_address command in order to define the TFTP server IP address.
3. Issue the transfer download path 'TFTP_server_path' command in order to define the path of the TFTP default directory where the controller OS software is located.
4. Issue the transfer download filename filename command in order to specify the name of the image.
  Here is an example:
```
(Cisco Controller) >transfer download datatype code
(Cisco Controller) >transfer download mode tftp
(Cisco Controller) >transfer download serverip 10.77.244.196
(Cisco Controller) >transfer download path .
(Cisco Controller) >transfer download filename AIR-WLC4400-K9-5-2-178-0.aes
```

Issue the transfer download start command in order to initiate the upgrade process.

Here is an example of the upgrade process:

(Cisco Controller) >transfer download start

Mode............................................. TFTP
Data Type........................................ Code
TFTP Server IP................................... 10.77.244.196
TFTP Packet Timeout.............................. 6
TFTP Max Retries................................. 10
TFTP Path........................................ ./
TFTP Filename.................................... AIR-WLC4400-K9-5-2-178-0.aes

This may take some time.
Are you sure you want to start? (y/N) y

TFTP Code transfer starting.
TFTP receive complete... extracting components.
Executing backup script.
Writing new RTOS to flash disk.
Writing new Code to flash disk.
Writing new APIB to flash disk.
Executing install_apib script.
Executing fini script.
TFTP File transfer is successful.
Reboot the switch for update to complete.

Reboot the controller after the upgrade process is complete in order for the new code to take effect.
Issue the reset system command, and enter y or yes in response to the question "Would you like to save them now?".

Upgrade the bootloader version (4.1 and later version upgrades only) using the AIR-WLCxxxx-K9-5-2-157-0-ER.aes file. The process is identical to steps 1 through 6 of this procedure.

Note: In the 2100 Series WLC, you cannot upgrade the bootloader version due to hardware limitations. Also, this model does not require a bootloader upgrade as do the larger WLC models.

Note: You can upgrade the boot image before or after the main image.

Here is an example of the boot image CLI upgrade process:

(Cisco Controller) >transfer download start
Mode....................... TFTP
Data Type.................. Code
TFTP Server IP............. 10.77.244.196
TFTP Packet Timeout........ 6
TFTP Max Retries........... 10
TFTP Path.................. ./
TFTP Filename.............. AIR-WLC4400-K9-5-2-157-0-ER.aes

This may take some time.
Are you sure you want to start? (y/N) y
TFTP Code transfer starting.
TFTP receive complete... extracting components.
Writing new Emergency Bootloader to flash disk.
Writing new Emergency Bootloader RTOS to flash disk.
TFTP File transfer is successful.
Reboot the switch for update to complete.

Video

The configuration is not kept when you downgrade versions of controller code. Controllers can be upgraded from one release to another. Should you require a downgrade from one release to another, you possibly cannot use the higher release configuration. The workaround is to reload the previous controller configuration files that were saved on the backup server or reconfigure the controller.

Using WCS to Upgrade the Wireless LAN Controller

Complete these steps in order to update controller (and access points) software using the Wireless Control System (WCS).

Enter ping ip address in the command prompt window in order to be sure that the WCS server can reach the controller. If you use an external TFTP server, enter ping ip address in order to be sure that the WCS server can reach TFTP server.
In the GUI interface, choose Configure > Controllers in order to navigate to the All Controllers page.
Check the check box of the desired controller, choose Download Software from the Select a Command drop-down menu, and click Go. The WCS displays the Download Software to Controller page.
If you use the built-in WCS TFTP server, check the TFTP Server on WCS System check box. If you use an external TFTP server, uncheck this check box and add the external TFTP server IP address.
Click Browse and navigate to the software update file (for example, AS_2000_release.aes for 2000 series controllers).The files are uploaded to the root directory which was configured for use by the TFTP server. You can change to a different directory.
Click Download.WCS downloads the software to the controller, and the controller writes the code to Flash RAM. As WCS performs this function, it displays its progress in the Status field.

Problem Type

Upgrade

Products

Wireless LAN Controllers

Reference

GUI Upgrade Procedure
Wireless LAN Controller Configuration Guide.
To download the software for the WLC - Software Download