Cisco 9804 as Foreign and Cisco 5520 as Anchor

[n_nmanzoor]

Hi All 

I currently have an Anchor controller (Cisco 5520) with AirOS version 8.5.151.0 and i am going to deploy a Cisco 9804 as a Foreign controller. Can anyone suggest do i need to upgrade the AirOS on my Anchor to the guest EOIP tunnel to be formed between the Cisco 9804 (foreign) and Cisco 5520 (Anchor). If yes to which version ? 

Thanks in advance ! 

[balaji.bandi · Accepted solution]

You need Airos 8.5.164.X IRCM image required ( again what AP Model do you have?_

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/213912-configure-mobility-anchor-on-catalyst-98.html#anc6

[n_nmanzoor]

Thanks a lot

I have a 100 x 3700APs and around 100 x 3800 APs, i will have a them registered with the new 9804 and form a mobility tunnel for guest Wifi users with Cisco 5520.

Later on during the year , going to replace all 200 APs with C9120AXI.

thanks and Regards,

any suggestions over this setup ? 

[Arshad Safrulla · Accepted solution]

Hi Since you will be running your 5520 as Anchor there is no dependency on the AP models. You can run the latest Cisco TAC recommended AireOS comfortably. (At the moment 8.10.162)

Recommended AireOS Wireless LAN Controller Releases - Cisco

Since you have 3700 series AP's in 9800 you need to run 17.3.X codes. The latest cisco recommends is 17.3.4c, however just keep an eye as Cisco can or will promote 17.3.5a as the recommended image in the near future. 

Recommended Cisco IOS XE Releases for Catalyst 9800 Wireless LAN Controllers - Cisco

Cisco recently extended the EOL and EOSV for x700 series AP's (in your case 3700).

EOSV - 2024-01-26

EOL - 2024-04-30

However Cisco did not extend EOSV for IOS-XE code 17.3.X. 

EOSV - 2023-09-30

So I am not sure how Cisco is going to handle this, but whatever the case it is better you place the order for you Cat9000 series AP's as soon as possible. Current delivery timelines in EMEA are more than 1 year.  Once you replace all Wave1 and Wave 2 AP's then you can consider upgrading the 9800 WLC to the latest 17.6.X or higher codes.

[n_nmanzoor]

Thanks a lot for the advices !

Regards