5508 FUS upgrade

[Trbo90]

Hello all,

I need some clarification about FUS upgrade, is it necessary in my case or not. We have Cisco 5508 WLC with old version 7.6.120.0, it is working fine for us, but finally it is time to replace some old AP's with 1850 and 2800 series. I want new version to be 8.5.161.0 so it can support new AP's and some of the old ones that are staying.

So my question is, do I need to do FUS upgrade? I was looking in release notes, it is only recommendation? And if I'm correct highest version of FUS is 1.9.0.0, how can I check what is current version on WLC?

By this Cisco document fus release notes , for 5508 this is after upgrade:

Field Recovery Image is upgraded from 7.0.112.21 to 7.6.101.1
Bootloader is upgraded to 1.0.20
Offline Field Diagnostics is upgraded from 0.9.28 to 0.9.35
FPGA Revision version is upgraded to 1.7
Environment Controller (MCU) Image version is upgraded to 1.8
USB Console Revision version is upgraded to 2.2

And here it is from my WLC (complete show sysinfo in attachment):
Product Version.................................. 7.6.120.0
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

As you can see only difference is Field Recovery Image Version, what is this used for? Do I need to do FUS upgrade only for this? Maintenance window is not large, so I don't want to do FUS upgrade and lose time if not necessary. One more question, can i jump directly to 8.5. version, or should I go to 8.3. or some lower version first?

Thank you all in advance.

[marce1000]

                                   > do I need to do FUS upgrade

 Best is to check the Release Notes of the intended controller release you want to use. Some need FUS upgrade , some not. Easiest way is usually to look for 'FUS' with find in your browser,  once you have accessed the Release Notes-document.

 M.

[Trbo90]

Hi @marce1000 ,

Thank you for prompt reply. In release notes for 8.5.161.0 it says We recommend that you install Cisco Wireless Controller Field Upgrade Software (FUS), which is a special AES package that contains several system-related component upgrades. These include the bootloader, field recovery image, and FPGA or MCU firmware... But in my case, bootloader, FPGA, env and other are already on same version as for FUS 1.9.0. Like I said only difference is Field Recovery Image Version.

What is Field Recovery Image used for? Can it make some bigger problem if it stays like this?

[Scott Fella]

The release notes will provide you with the recommendations. No one can say if not upgrading will break something or not. The release notes will tell you.

[marce1000 · Accepted solution]

 - The Field Recovery Version mismatch with the FUS version is a bit strange. But you won't have a bigger problem with that. Apparently from what I understand from the thread below the FUS installation can be done again , but I would not consider it high priority :

                                 https://community.cisco.com/t5/wireless/fus-1-9-vs-friv/td-p/2638328

 M.

[Trbo90]

Thank you both for advises! I will try to get bigger maintenance window so I can upgrade FUS as well, otherwise I will upgrade image only, and we will see from there.

[Scott Fella]

Keep in mind, that you want to monitor the FUS upgrade from the console just so you can hit the correct answer when prompted.  This way you are only upgrading specific components that need to be upgraded.  This will go faster instead of taking 45 plus minutes.

[Raul Tamayo]

I have the same situation. FInally, did you upgrade the FUS? Or just upgrade the image?

[Scott Fella]

You should open a new thread and put all the info you can do that others can help provide you with answers. 

[Trbo90]

Hi Raul,

Sorry for late reply. Only image was upgraded and everything went ok. FUS remained the same.