Ask support equipment

[trinh-nguyenthimai]

Currently my company is using AIR-AP2802I-S-K9 with WLC AIR-CT5508-25-K9. I knew that AIR-CT5508-25-K9 EOS so we have to replace this WLC with newer model. Due to limit budget we can replace AIR-CT5508-25-K9 only can you give me what kinds of WLC that I can use for current  AIR-AP2802I-S-K9. We would like this model can support the current APs and new APs also. In case we would like to add more APs please suggest also what kind of APs that we should use.

[Mark Elsen]

  - You need to look at the 9800 series controller's for the replacement of the 5508 :
     https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/nb-06-cat9800-ser-wirel-faq-ctp-en.html
                   Look at Table 2. for scaling and performance parameters when choosing a model

   For AP compatibility look at https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/compatibility/matrix/compatibility-matrix.html
   

 M.

[Mark Elsen]

 - When choosing new APs use : https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/wireless/access-point-controller-selector.html

  M.

[jagan.chowdam]

The replacement controller options are the C9800-L-F (Fiber uplink) and the C9800-L-C (Copper uplink). I recommend purchasing an HA pair to build redundancy.

Cisco currently recommends either version 17.9.5 or 17.12.3. Both versions support your existing 2800 series Access Points.

Important Note: Each AP that joins a C9800 controller requires a DNA license. Therefore, you will need to purchase the same number of DNA subscription licenses (Essentials or Advantage) as the number of Access Points along with C9800 controllers.

The C9800 runs on the IOS-XE platform, whereas your CT5508 uses AirOS. As a result, you cannot back up and import the configuration from the old 5508 to the new 9800 controllers. You will need to either build the C9800 controller configuration from scratch or use the WLC Config Converter tool to convert your existing AirOS configuration to one that is supported by IOS-XE.

https://cway.cisco.com/wlc-config-converter/

https://community.cisco.com/t5/wireless/wlc-config-converter-aireos-ios-xe/td-p/2895495

Jagan Chowdam

/**Pls rate useful responses**/

[Rich R]

The only thing I would add to @jagan.chowdam's advice is to be careful about assuming the 5508 to 9800 config converter provides a complete working config.  There are some features which are not supported by the converter and some features which have changed so use the converted config as a guideline but better to build your 9800 config from scratch using your own choice of profile and tag names etc which can make your config a lot more readable and easier to work with.

Also take note of the Best Practices guide (link below) and the Config Analyzer (link below) which can be used to check your 9800 config for many common errors and breaches of guidelines.