2702i AP IOS upgrade on 5520 WLC

[frederick.mercado]

Hello,

We are trying to see if we can upgrade our 2702i LWAPPs to version 15.3(3)JPJ6 (currently on JF12) to be compatible with eventual deployment of 9800 WLC. If we can push this upgrade out rather than do one by one resets...this would be ideal on the current controller. 

The updated compatibility matrix seems to show only 9800 specific data.

[Flavio Miranda]

The last firmware supported on 2700 is 15.3(3)JPJ8a  with  Cisco IOS XE Amsterdam 17.3.5a

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/compatibility/matrix/compatibility-matrix.html#cat-9800_ctrls 

[frederick.mercado]

Would we have any issues upgrading the APs to the latest given they are on a 5520 with this version?

Product Version.................................. 8.5.161.0
RTOS Version..................................... 8.5.161.0
Bootloader Version............................... 8.3.15.177
Emergency Image Version.......................... 8.2.166.0

I was going by the matrix of the 9800 that recommended JPJ6 but did not show support past this for 2700 APs?

[Flavio Miranda]

We are talking about huge changes here.  We are moving from  AirOS WLC to IOS-XE WLC.  Also, 2700 will be deprecated soon. 

 I´ve never tried but did you try do join the 2700 to the 9800?   I did moved 3801 running 8.5 to a 9800 running 17.3 and worked.

Maybe you could try.

There was a discussion  here times ago. You may see it.

https://community.cisco.com/t5/wireless/can-t-join-2702i-to-c9800-cl-wlc/td-p/4290184 

[Leo Laohoo]

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@frederick.mercado wrote:

Product Version.................................. 8.5.161.0
RTOS Version..................................... 8.5.161.0
Bootloader Version............................... 8.3.15.177
Emergency Image Version.......................... 8.2.166.0

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Wait, you're not making any sense here.  

JPJ6 is an IOS-XE firmware specifically for the 9800. 

The output above is for AireOS.  They are two different platforms and the 2700/3700 only has room for ONE (1) CAPWAP image.  

My question is this:  WHAT platform are you trying to "pre-download", AireOS or IOS-XE?

[Rich R]

Further to Leo's answer the answer to your original question is NO - you cannot do that.

You cannot automatically pre-download the new image.  You would have to do it manually.

If you do that it will replace the existing image as Leo says.  Then if the AP reloads it will try to download the old JF12 again and there is a risk it won't be able to join the 5520 at all.  If you reload the AP and connect it to the 9800 then it will work with the 9800 if you're using the matching IOS-XE there.

The AP running new IOS-XE compatible code cannot work with AireOS which is why it will try to downgrade to JF12 if it's able to join.  The running AP code must always match the WLC code.