07-28-2023 08:11 AM
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
Solved! Go to Solution.
07-28-2023 08:19 AM
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
07-28-2023 08:19 AM
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
07-28-2023 05:37 PM
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.
07-29-2023 05:54 AM
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.
07-29-2023 02:12 PM
" 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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