Cisco WLC 9800-40 17.6.4 best Upgrade Path

[aBITtooTALL68]

Hello,

Is there a best suggested software upgrade path from 17.6.4? As per the documentation, it is suggested to jump to 17.9.4, however the software manager on Cisco's website suggests that I use software version 17.12.3. I would prefer to use the newer release but I am not sure whether such a hefty jump is even supported. 

Any help would be appreciated, thank you!

[Flavio Miranda · Accepted solution]

@aBITtooTALL68 

 17.9.5 is MD and 17.12..3 is ED

Early Deployment (ED)
Software releases that provide new features and new platform support in addition to bug fixes. Cisco IOS CTED, STED, SMED, and XED are variations of ED software releases.

Maintenance Deployment (MD)
A Cisco software release that provides bug fix support and ongoing software maintenance.

If you are looking for latest features, ED is better. If you prefer more stable version MD is better.

At the end of day, you will deal with Bugs anyway.  Within version 17 you will not have problem with compatibility path. 

[aBITtooTALL68]

Thank you Flavio,

As always I appreciate your expertise. It looks like the MD path is the safest approach. 

Thank you again!

[Leo Laohoo]

We dumped 17.9.X because we've hit bugs after bugs after bugs.  

We have migrated to 17.12.4 and have to apply SMU and APSP and seems to be stable.  

NOTE:  17.12.5 is scheduled for release in 5 weeks time.

[Rich R]

You should always refer to the TAC recommended document (link below).
We have also moved to 17.12.4 and will be moving some of our 9800's to 17.15.2 for WiFi 7 APs soon.
Always refer to the upgrade path in the release notes.  You can upgrade directly from 17.6.4 to 17.12.4 and then install the SMUs and APSP4 (currently the latest APSP but always check).
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/17-12/release-notes/rn-17-12-9800.html#Cisco_Concept.dita_59a2987f-2633-4630-8c7b-a8e8aecdeaf7