C9800-C-L Update With 9115AXI-B APs

[KMP414]

I am looking for guidance on updating the controller and APs. Currently running on version 17.3.4c. Would there be any point of updating to the current Gold Star version of 17.3.5a if everything is working fine?

Not sure I would like to go all the way to the latest version of 17.8.1, but I also don't want to do such a small update to the Gold Star version of 17.3.5a if a new update will soon become the Gold Star.

Any info on what is expected?

[marce1000]

  >...Would there be any point of updating to the current Gold Star version of 17.3.5a if everything is working fine

 - Usually there is no single answer to that , it depends on the environment too , you could browse https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/17-3/release-notes/rn-17-3-9800.html#Cisco_Reference.dita_98138634-5343-4a51-8331-4a89482a7411 and verify if anything is relevant to you , for 17.8.x  , check https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/17-8/release-notes/rn-17-8-9800.html#Cisco_Concept.dita_8f00597c-cb39-4eaf-8856-16f8d02493e5 , also this will depend on (business) needs.

   Whilst you are at it have a  review the C9800-C-L configuration with the CLI command : show  tech wireless , have the output analyzed by  https://cway.cisco.com/tools/WirelessAnalyzer/  , please note do not use classical show tech-support (short version) , use the command denoted in green for Wireless Analyzer. You will get lots of useful advisories.

 Appendix : the idea that 'everything is working fine' can be asserted but  a gold starred release may for instance contain  further enhanced performance and other  internal resolved issues wireless issues which are not immediately visible to the network administrator and or sometimes not even published.

 M.

[Rasika Nayanajith]

Here is the code recommendation & criteria to decide (taken from recent CLUS2022 -BRKEWN-2338)

When choosing a code train, always go with an Extended-Release version (16.12.x , 17.3.x, 17.6.x or 17.9.x). Here is the differentiation of Standard (1yr support) & Extended releases (3 yr support). 

In your case, if things are all good with 17.3.4c, then there is no immediate reason to go with 17.3.5a. The next logical step is looking for 17.6.x train (if you do not have wave1 AP). Standard releases (17.7.x or 17.8.x are not recommended as they are not long live), unless you need those WiFi6E product testing

HTH

Rasika

*** Pls rate all useful responses ***

[Leo Laohoo]

Upgrade to 17.3.5a is the safest bet, however, do not forget to read the Release Notes carefully. 

There are two ways to upgrade:  GUI or CLI. 
Because this is happening from 17.3.X, there is only the multi-step GUI upgrade as oppose to the CLI one-shot process.  

Since the controller is going to get rebooted anyway, upgrade the ROMMON while it is still possible. 

@Rasika Nayanajith has a professionally-written and easy-to-digest procedure about doing ROMMON upgrade:  

9800 ROMMON Upgrade Made Easy

[Rich R]

And one more link to watch for TAC's recommendations:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/214749-tac-recommended-ios-xe-builds-for-wirele.html