Migrating 160 APs to new Controllers, medical facility with minimal maint. windows.

[ntwkdsnr123]

Hi Folks,

Latest project is to migrate 160 APs from existing 5508s running as primary and secondary.  The existing code is version 8.0.x.  Client want to install a pair of new 5520s configured in high availability mode, not just primary and secondary.  I haven't seen the new WLCs, not sure what code they are running. I assume it will be newer that 8.0.x.

So question is, what is the best way to accomplish this?

Install new 5520s on network in SSO mode first? (i'm using all new management IP addresses)

Log into each AP and change the Primary controller address to the new 5520.

Let the AP associate to the new WLC, download the new code and reboot?

Customer would like this to happen as quickly as possible.

Any thoughts from someone who has done this before?

Aps are 3502s, 3602s, and 3702s.

Thanks,

Ed

[ntwkdsnr123]

I just found a thread very similar to what I'm trying to do.  Looks like Scott replied and provided guidance.

https://community.cisco.com/t5/other-wireless-mobility-subjects/cisco-ap-migration-from-old-wlc-pair-to-new-wlc-pair/m-p/3311699

Thanks,

Ed

[Rasika Nayanajith]

Hi ED,

I would upgrade existing 5508s to 8.2.170.0 or 8.5.135.0 (note that 8.5. is the last supported code for 3500/3600). Then 5520 set up with same image that you are using with 5508 & make necessary configuration (wlan, ap group, etc)

Once you test with 5520 config with one or two APs, you can move all APs onto 5520

Fastest way to move AP is use CLI as shown below. Once you get AP names, you can come up with required CLI commands. You can remove secondary WLC config on each AP & only point to 5520 as primary.

config ap secondary-base " " AP-01 0.0.0.0
config ap secondary-base " " AP-02 0.0.0.0
config ap secondary-base " " AP-03 0.0.0.0
config ap secondary-base " " AP-04 0.0.0.0
config ap secondary-base " " AP-05 0.0.0.0
config ap secondary-base " " AP-06 0.0.0.0
config ap secondary-base " " AP-07 0.0.0.0

config ap primary-base 5520_NAME AP-01 5520_MGMT_IP
config ap primary-base 5520_NAME AP-02 5520_MGMT_IP
config ap primary-base 5520_NAME AP-03 5520_MGMT_IP
config ap primary-base 5520_NAME AP-04 5520_MGMT_IP
config ap primary-base 5520_NAME AP-05 5520_MGMT_IP
config ap primary-base 5520_NAME AP-06 5520_MGMT_IP
config ap primary-base 5520_NAME AP-07 5520_MGMT_IP

HTH

Rasika

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