Can AP3700 be upgraded from AireOS 8.5.164.216 to IOSXE 17.9.4a?

[atillaseyid]

Hello,

I have AIR-CAP3702I Access Points in 5508 series WLC(v8.5.164.216), which I need to migrate them to 9800-l WLC which is running on 17.9.4a code. I know, Cisco "re-introduced" its support for Wave1 APs in 17.9.4, but I am not sure, if they can be upgraded directly from AireOS to 17.9.4a? Or first they need to be upgraded to 17.3.x, then 17.9.4a?

BR,

Atilla.

[Ric Beeching (Cisco) · Accepted solution]

Release notes are useful here:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/17-9/release-notes/rn-17-9-9800.html#Cisco_Concept.dita_59a2987f-2633-4630-8c7b-a8e8aecdeaf7

Because you are limited on the 5508, you'll probably need to stage the 3700s on 17.3.5 first, then jump to 17.9.x. Can you downgrade the 9800 you have or use a virtual 9800 on an interim basis?

Thanks,
Ric

[Leo Laohoo]

3700 will be last supported on 17.12.X.  

I migrated (direct) about 180 x 3700, from 8.5.X.X, to 17.6.4.  Outage time took about 4 minutes and 45 seconds (the time it takes to reboot a 3700).  

[Rich R]

If you're going to attempt 8.5.x to 17.9.4a direct (test 1 AP first of course) then you should at least upgrade the 5508 to 8.5.182.11 first - download link below - or if you're using IRCM then 8.5.182.108.