MIGRATING WISM2 WITH 300APS TO C9800-40-K9 WLC

[adevaad06]

I currently have a project to migrate two WISM2 controllers(slotted into 2 switches in VSS) currently in live production to two other C9800-40-k9 WLC (HA SSO) for a client. There are currently over 300 APs in production and all are compatible with C9800-40-k9 WLC and with DNA air licenses already.

I have gotten the startup-config file of the WISM2 primary WLC (AIREOS 8.5) and I have converted it to the IOS_XE equivalent using the translator function on the new C9800 WLC.

The new WLC (C9800) by virtue of migrating the configuration has inherited the same management VLAN and IP so I believe the CAPWAP tunnels can be formed just like it is with the old WISM controllers.

The question I am curious to ask now is that after shutting down (decommissioning) the WISM2 and commissioning the C9800-40-K9, would the APs automatically join the profile tags created on the new controllers and inherit all the configuration as before? or would I have to manually join the APs to the respective tags after they have been discovered by the 9800?

I  would like to know what the outcome would look like for the APs before cutting off to the newly configured controllers (C9800s). And also peradventure there was an issue, I can I roll back to status quo.

Thank you.

[Leo Laohoo]

What APs are they?

[adevaad06]

Current APs in production list

Primary AP Image Size Supported AP's
---------------- ---- ------------
ap1g1 13332 AP700
ap1g2 13652 AP1600
ap1g3 15372 AP1530
ap1g4 26444 AP1850/1810
ap1g5 22880 AP1815,1540
ap3g1 10168 AP3500
ap3g2 15380 AP2600,3600
ap3g3 40216 AP2800,3800,1560
ap801 8456 AP801
ap802 9956 AP802
c1550 10916 AP1550(128MB)
c1570 13040 AP1570
c3700 14372 AP1700,2700,3700

[adevaad06]

I just need to know if all APs would automatically inherit the configured site tags on the WLC without having to manually join each and every AP to the respective site tags.

[Leo Laohoo]

---

@adevaad06 wrote:

ap1g4 26444 AP1850/1810
ap1g5 22880 AP1815,1540

ap3g3 40216 AP2800,3800,1560

c1570 13040 AP1570
c3700 14372 AP1700,2700,3700

---

Only these APs will be supported in the 9800.

Cisco Wireless Solutions Software Compatibility Matrix

[adevaad06]

from the list of accepted APs for 9800, you will discover that there are most of them on my AP list and for those that are not supported by 9800, we have bought catalyst APs as a direct replacement for them. So for the sake of this question, it is safe to assume that the present APs in production are all supported by 9800.

My question still remains, after migrating the configuration from WISM to the 9800, would the APs join their respective site tags, policy tags, rf tags automatically and inherit their respective WLAN SSIDs?

[Leo Laohoo]

That is not certain. 

Move one AP first and see what the behaviour is like.  

[Rich R]

Like @Leo Laohoo said - test and test some more.

The config converter usually does not support all the old AireOS config - there should have been sections labelled NOT-APPLICABLE CLIS and UNMAPPED CLIS.  Those are for things the converter either does not support at all or cannot convert yet.  You need to check, and if necessary, re-write the new config for those parts yourself.  Your should use the converted config as a guide to get you started on your new 9800 config not expect it to be an instant, complete new working config.

There are lots of migration guides and recorded webinars out there with lots of guidance on how to go about doing the migration - take the time to view and read them.

Regarding the converter and the limitations of the converted config read https://cway.cisco.com/wlc-config-converter/ detailed notes and the full thread at https://community.cisco.com/t5/wireless/wlc-config-converter-aireos-ios-xe/td-p/2895495 

In particular keys and passwords always need to be done manually.

[Arshad Safrulla]

c1570 13040 AP1570
c3700 14372 AP1700,2700,3700

The above AP platforms are supported only when you are running IOS-XE code 17.3.X or lower. If you are running anything higher these will not be supported. Also it is not recommended to do salt and pepper deployments (mixing new Catalyst AP's with Wave2 or Wave1 AP's in a single roaming domain) So plan your AP positioning, if required shift the existing AP's. Also remember that RF propagation patterns of new Catalyst AP's may not be similar to the old AP's, I would recommend performing a survey if possible.

Once the AP joins new 9800 controller you need to manually assign all the site tags, policy tags and RF tags. You can use the filter option to do this automatically based on the AP name regex, location or AP MAC

Configuration>>Tags & Profiles>> Tags>>AP

Migrating from WISM is little bit challenge as this doesn't support IRCM releases, which will enable you to build a mobility tunnel between existing controller. So I would say plan for the migration of one roaming domain (Eg:- on floor of a building, or an isolated area in a building etc) at a given time or if not be prepared for slow roaming between AP's registered to different controllers. My recommendation will be as below

1. Configure the 9800 WLC at staging area (You may convert the configuration from WISM, but I recommend configuring the new WLC's, so later during operations you know what you have configured and can easily troubleshoot)

2. Connect it to the existing Network Infrastructure and configure the OOB, AP management interface and confirm that it is reachable

3. Connect a new Cat9000 series AP to an Edge switch and test all the services by connecting clients to new AP.

4. Prepare a MOP and select the areas (single roaming domain preferably) you are planning to migrate.

5. Change the option 43 for the AP management VLAN or manually configure the primary controller under the AP in WISM to force the AP to join the new controller. Meanwhile you can replace the AP's which are not supported by new 9800 during this time. Remember you might hit a bug where Wave1 AP's will download the firmware twice to the AP which will result in longer join times to new WLC.

6. Test all the services again and once all the AP's are migrated to the new controller, decommission the WISM.

I would say create a sound plan, document the migration plans, if you are not comfortable seek professional help. 

[adevaad06]

I would do as you have suggested. On this issue how do I seek professional help from Cisco?

[Arshad Safrulla]

You have multiple options, you can reach out to Cisco Advanced Services or any qualified Cisco partner who can help you to plan and do the migration. Cisco TAC assistance on planning can be very limited, they can jump in only in case of an issue.