Aironet 1815i Firmware Upgrade

[itadmin4057]

we are using Cisco Aironet 1815i Access Point as a WLC and Access point and need to be upgrade the firmware version 8.5.140.0 to 8.10.185.0. please suggest the step by step process that we need to be followed. 

[marce1000]

 - Ref : https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/technotes/8-2/b_Mobility_Express_Deployment_guide/b_Mobility_Express_Deployment_guide_chapter_01000.html
              Read from : Updating Cisco Mobility Express network using GUI

 M.

[itadmin4057]

Thanks for your reply,

My controller's firmware version is 8.5.140.0. Can I directly update it to firmware version 8.10.185.0? Is there a step-by-step process for upgrading the firmware version that I need to follow?
https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286306794/type/286289839/release/8.10.185.0

[Rich R]

If you're upgrading then you should be upgrading to 8.10.190.0 (not 8.10.185.0) - refer to TAC recommended link below.

The "gold" * option on downloads page is not up to date.

[itadmin4057]

Thanks for your reply,

My controller's firmware version is 8.5.140.0. Can I directly update it to firmware version 8.10.190.0? Is there a step-by-step process for upgrading the firmware version that I need to follow?
https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286306794/type/286289839/release/8.10.185.0

[jagan.chowdam]

You can refer these Youtube videos to understand the code uprgade process

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9GRWbsVAT4&ab_channel=CiscoWLAN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyGVmYLmLbk&ab_channel=CiscoSal

Jagan Chowdam

[itadmin4057]

Thanks for your reply,

My controller's firmware version is 8.5.140.0. Can I directly update it to firmware version 8.10.185.0? Is there a step-by-step process for upgrading the firmware version that I need to follow?
https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286306794/type/286289839/release/8.10.185.0

[Rich R]

I will repeat again:

If you're upgrading then you should be upgrading to 8.10.190.0 (not 8.10.185.0) - refer to TAC recommended link below.
"Mobility Express
For Mobility Express deployments, TAC recommends using the latest 8.10 release."
https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286306794/type/286289839/release/8.10.190.0

The gold * option on the downloads page is not up to date.

[jagan.chowdam]

Make sure to go through the release notes before doing any upgrades and look at "Guidelines and Limitations" section.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/release/notes/crn810mr9.html

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/release/notes/crn810mr10.html

The documents listed process to upgrade.

Jagan Chowdam

/**Pls rate useful responses**/

[itadmin4057]

We have a total of 20 access points, where 5 are ME Controllers and the others act as CAPWAP APs. So, what do you suggest? Should I upgrade all at once, or divide them into two parts to avoid any issues that may occur?

[Rich R]

Controller and subordinate APs must always be running the same version.
So all the APs in each ME network must be upgraded at the same time.
When you upgrade the controller AP you must upgrade all the APs connected to that controller.

[marce1000]

      >...When you upgrade the controller AP you must upgrade all the APs connected to that controller.
 @Rich R Doesn't that happen automatically ?

 M.

[Rich R]

With Mobility Express you need a TFTP server setup for the APs to fetch the updated image from.
Otherwise they will just stay in a constant loop of trying to upgrade to the same version as the controller AP.
Alternatively you would have to upgrade each one separately on CLI.
I believe they will download the image directly from the controller if they are the exact same model of AP.