Can we change this iso for WLC c9800

[interfacedy]

Hello, we have device wlc C9800 with iso (Gibraltar) 16.12. When we upgrade the older ios with new iso(Bengaluru) 17.5 , do we need additional step or just directly upgrade? Thank you

[Leo Laohoo]

You can upgrade direct from 16.X.X to 17.X.X. 

Make sure to read the Release Notes properly.  

Upgrade using the GUI is recommended -- Less painful.

[interfacedy]

Thank you Leo very much for your reply. so what you means is we we do not need to care about Gibraltar or Bengaluru?

what is that mean? I guess the two means their nick name respectively. am i right? 

[Leo Laohoo]

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@interfacedy wrote:

Gibraltar or Bengaluru?

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They are names of IOX-XE trains and not that important.  

[David Ritter · Accepted solution]

As Leo says..  yes, excellent practice going up/down.

However, 17.5 and 17.4 are single shot efforts with no updates planned.

17.3.3 be the TAC recommended version.

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

I went from 16.10 shipping version to 17.3.3..  sure I had a few stops in between.

[interfacedy]

The link document mentions that "IOS-XE 17.5.1 is a short0lived release with no MRs planned", I am sure what it means. can we upgrade 17.5.1 when 18.x.x comes to us? Thank you

[Leo Laohoo]

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@interfacedy wrote:

The link document mentions that "IOS-XE 17.5.1 is a short0lived release with no MRs planned", I am sure what it means. can we upgrade 17.5.1 when 18.x.x comes to us? Thank you

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17.1.X, 17.2.X, 17.4.X, 17.5.X are classified as "single-release" version.  
17.3.X and soon-to-be-released 17.6.X are multi-release train.  

NOTE:  Look at the second digit of the version numbers.  The interval is "3" -- 17.3.X, 17.6.X, 17.9.X, etc.

[interfacedy · Accepted solution]

Can we say  17.3.X -----> 17.6.X is bigger change and  17.3.X -----> 17.5.X is smaller change. If so, we should be able to upgrade ios from 17.5 to 17.6, right?

[Scott Fella · Accepted solution]

You can upgrade and downgrade to any version. What version you use depends on your environment and also how well your environment is performing. Do I always stick with the gold code… heck no, but that’s me. Find a version that is stable for you and stick with that. The release notes will always provide the upgrade and or downgrade path. 

[Leo Laohoo]

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@interfacedy wrote:

Can we say  17.3.X -----> 17.6.X is bigger change and  17.3.X -----> 17.5.X is smaller change. If so, we should be able to upgrade ios from 17.5 to 17.6, right?

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Just stay with 17.3.X for now. 
NOTE:  17.3.4 will be released in July 2021.

[Leo Laohoo]

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@interfacedy wrote:

 I am sure what it means. can we upgrade 17.5.1 when 18.x.x comes to us?

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Contact your Cisco AM/SE if you want to upgrade to 18.X.X. 

As far as I know, 18.X.X is the "open beta" for SDWAN/SD Access.  I am sure Cisco will be enthusiastic to get more people to test their codes.