Compatibility between WP2 and 6 GHz radio

[Haiver Bermon]

Hello,

I have a WLC 9800 with more that 100 AP 9120 and I have a corporative SSID with WPA2 working in 5 Ghz radio in that WLC. Recently I receibed new AP CW9166, that AP support new standar WIFI6E that operates in 6 Ghz radio.

When I tried to enable radio 6 Ghz in corporative SSID configuration, the WLC shows a error that indicates that I have to disable WPA2, I have searching but I dont find if WPA2 is incompatibility with WIFI6E/radio 6Ghz or if there a way to configurte WPA2 in radio 6 Ghz

Could somebody help me to clarify that issue?

I want to enable radio 6 Ghz radio to corporative SSID maintaing the radio 5 Ghz enable and the same name of corporative SSID

[Flavio Miranda · Accepted solution]

Hi @Haiver Bermon 

This is not from Cisco but for all vendors. Actually Wi-Fi Alliance is responsible for this.

 "Wi-Fi 6E benefits organizations that want or need highly secure networks. The Wi-Fi Alliance has made Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3) mandatory for all Wi-Fi 6E devices, without backward compatibility for WPA2 security. These measures can increase user confidence in moving to the 6-GHz frequency band for their most trusted connections."

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/wireless/what-is-wifi-6-vs-wifi-6e.html#~benefits

[Leo Laohoo]

In addition to @Flavio Miranda comment, check the Release Notes. 

Just because the option to enable 802.11ax (aka WiFi 6) does not necessarily translate that the AP will start transmitting/operating 802.11ax.  There is a list of WLC firmware versions where the AP can start operating 802.11ax.  For example, my controllers need to be on 16.12.X before my APs will start operating 802.11ax in Australia.

[Rich R]

And 6E is not supported in all regulatory domains/countries yet so pay close attention to release notes, config guides and the compliance tool: https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/assets/prod/wireless/wireless-compliance-tool/index.html

You might also want to look at https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9100ax-access-points/wpa3-dep-guide-og.html regarding WPA2/3 transition options. 

Make sure your 9800 code version is up to date per TAC recommended link below.

[Rasika Nayanajith]

" I have to disable WPA2, I have searching but I dont find if WPA2 is incompatibility with WIFI6E/radio 6Ghz or if there a way to configurte WPA2 in radio 6 Ghz"

In 6GHz (Wi-Fi 6E) you can only configure following security methods
- WPA3 (Personal or Enterprise)
- Enhanced Open or OWE

In 6GHz, you cannot configure following.

- WPA2 (personal/enterprise)
- WPA/TKIP
- Open 

Also you cannot configure WLAN with mixed mode (WPA2 + WPA3 on same SSID) security in 6GHz

HTH
Rasika
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