Adding redundancy to our 5520 WLC

[MichaelZenft01499]

we currently have a AIR-CT5520-K9 with 200 AP license. We want to add another 5520 for redundancy. since these units are so expensive I have to get multiple quotes. So my issue is I am getting conflicting information from both vendors..

one says we need to get the AIR-CT5520-50-K9 with a minimum 50 AP licenses for it to work in HA mode.

the other says we need only to get AIR-CT5520-K9. no AP licenses needed..

then both wants to sell us 5X8XNBD NetCare. cant we get hardware replacement only?

thoughts?

[Rasika Nayanajith]

You do not require licenses for the 2nd unit. Refer below

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/3504-wireless-controller/214106-licensing-on-3504-5520-and-8540-wireles.html#anc15 

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Q. Is there a minimum amount of licenses required to enable HA SSO between 2 WLCs?

A. No. Unlike older controllers, 3504, 5520 and 8540 WLC can establish HA SSO even with only 1 AP license installed.

Q. I have two WLCs without built-in licenses and I want to run them in High Availability (HA). How do I add the licenses?

A. After establishing the HA, total number of licenses will be equal to the number of licenses on primary controller. After that, simply go to Management->Software Activation->Licenses in the web interface and add the additional amount of licenses you have purchased.

Q. I have two WLCs with built-in licenses and I want to run them in HA mode. How do I add the licenses?

A. Example: One controller (intended to be primary) has 40 built-in licenses, the other (intended to be secondary) has 20 built-in licenses. Once you establish the HA SSO between them, built-in license count will be equal to the number of licenses on the primary controller, in this example 40. Simply add the remaining 20 licenses to the controller.

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Regarding maintenance, you need to look at it, if you require RMA that in case of hardware failure. Otherwise you can go with this risk

HTH

Rasika

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[Rich R · Accepted solution]

Your second unit will automatically inherit the AP count from the active unit when there is a SSO switchover.
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/technotes/8-1/5520-WLC-DG/b_Cisco-5520-WLC-deployment-guide.html#topic_F09230AF21F74828A0E197544EE897D8
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/5520-wireless-controller/datasheet-c78-734257.html#Orderinginformation
If you order AIR-CT5520-50-K9 then LIC-CT5520-50A is included automatically. For your HA unit you just want AIR-CT5520-K9 base unit, no licenses.
I'm not an expert on what support options they can sell but I think hardware cover (RMA) always includes software support although you can get software support without hardware (RMA) cover in some cases.