Cisco Aironet 2800 Series AIR-AP2802I-E-K9

[Med_Ben]

Hello All,

Just want to know if i can upgarde My cisco's AP AIR-AP2802I-E-K9 from 8.3.132.0 to 8.10.171.0 ? without an upgrade for my WLC version ( 8.3.132.0 ) ?

Thank you 

[balaji.bandi · Accepted solution]

As per i know WLC can have backward compatibility not with AP i guess

WLC should be a higher version always.

[Scott Fella · Accepted solution]

@balaji.bandi is right.  Anyway's, there is no reason to do that as the controller manages what firmware the access points will have.  Upgrade your controller, but make sure you review the "WLC Matrix" to make sure what controller versions all your access points support before upgrading.  Also read the release notes before upgrading, especially when jumping multiple trains of firmware.  

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

Yes.  It can be done but there will be no benefit because:

1. The AP will not be able to "live load" the firmware; and 
2. WLC will downgrade the firmware.

There is only one reason, that I know of, to "side load" a different firmware version.

[Arshad Safrulla]

To summarize,

If the AP is managed by any WLC, it is not possible. As soon as AP will try to register to the WLC, WLC will push the AP firmware according to the AireOS/IOS-XE code it is running. 

If the AP is in ME and single AP without any subordinate AP's, then you can perform the upgrade to the AP. Remember this works only if the AP itself is the ME WLC and only this AP is live.