9800 HA-SSO APs with different software releases?

[merilcerpos]

hello everyone,

is there a way to run APs with different software versions on the same 9800 HA-SSO?

use case is to upgrade only a couple of APs for test purposes, in order to check if software release is running stable, while the majority of the other APs is running the older software release. After successful tests all APs (and WLC) shall be upgraded to same version.

I am only aware of the

- APSP: AP Service Pack for AP bugfixes within the same software release and can be installed per site tag

- APDP: AP Device Pack for support of new AP models within the same software release and can be installed per site tag

- SMU: Service Maintenance Upgrade for WLC bugfixes within the same software release

Is there some other feature covering this use case? thank you.

[Flavio Miranda]

Hi

 Dont think so. In order to join the WLC one the first step is to download AP image, if the current image doesn´t match with WLC AP image.

 I have AP in which image was installed manually but as this version is the same as WLC, it work fine.

[Leo Laohoo]

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@merilcerpos wrote:

hello everyone,

is there a way to run APs with different software versions on the same 9800 HA-SSO?

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Yes, there is.  

AP Device Pack will dictate to the WLC what firmware the AP can/cannot use.  

[merilcerpos]

from my understanding the SMU and APSP/APDP are for hotfixes within the release.

Which means you are running e.g.17.3.3 and you fix certain bugs within 17.3.3, so that the APs and the controller is still on version 17.3.3.x but you cannot apply 17.3.4 release or 17.6.x release via SMU or APSP/APDP if you are running the wlc with 17.3.3 for example.

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

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@merilcerpos wrote:

from my understanding the SMU and APSP/APDP are for hotfixes within the release.

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Not completely correct. 

SMU is hotfix for the WLC. 

AP Service Pack is for hotfix for AP. 

AP Device Pack dictates to the WLC what AP can be allowed to join the WLC and what firmware they are allowed to use.
The concept of the AP Device Pack is taken from CUCM and phone device pack.  Let us presume, you have a fleet of 3500 but you want the 9800 to be able to support it.  Cisco will craft a Device Pack to be able to accomplish this. 

Do you remember the 1140?  When 8.0.X.X first came out, Cisco said that 1140 will not be supported beyond 8.0.X.X.  Due to "commercial reasons" Cisco was able to support the 1140 up to 8.4.X.X.  This was possible by using a built-in "device pack" in the firmware.

[merilcerpos]

okay, thank you for specifying AP Device Pack. From my understanding though it means APs are supported on the WLC with the Device Pack, no Software Upgrade of the WLC is required as back in aireOS times. But what is not working though is WLC is running 17.3.3 but APs (on certain site tags) are running e.g. 17.6.2 or 17.3.4c, is that right?

[Leo Laohoo]

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@merilcerpos wrote:

From my understanding though it means APs are supported on the WLC with the Device Pack, no Software Upgrade of the WLC is required as back in aireOS times.

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AireOS does not have any "device pack".

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@merilcerpos wrote:

But what is not working though is WLC is running 17.3.3 but APs (on certain site tags) are running e.g. 17.6.2 or 17.3.4c, is that right?

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Have a look at the 9800 release for 17.3.4.  Have a look at the Device Pack.  There is a device pack for the 9800 so the 9124 can be supported on 17.3.4.

Device Pack can only be run on the version the WLC is on.  If the WLC is on 17.6.2, it will NOT be able to load the Device Pack meant for a different version.